With the 2025 NFL draft over, the next thing fans were waiting for was the rookie minicamp. It's the first glimpse fans get to see these guys in their new threads.
This is also an opportunity for undrafted free agents to make a name for themselves. Something that goes under the radar is that teams can bring in free agents for tryouts during this span, and the Lions made sure to do so. Detroit's rookie minicamp is from May 9 to May 11.
They decided to bring in 19 players for a tryout, and two of those guys are former Bears. Ex-Bears DL Trevis Gipson and CB Duke Shelley were extended an invite to rookie camp amd will get a shot to stick onto the team in OTAs and training camp.
Rookie minicamp roster for Lions pic.twitter.com/QCowdJhfGC
— Ben Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) May 9, 2025
Trevis Gipson and Duke Shelley Will Try Out for Lions During Minicamp
Both guys were able to be productive for the Bears during their stints with the team. Gipson was with the Chicago Bears from 2020-2022, where he suited up in 40 total games (19 starts) for the Windy City. In those matchups, he had 75 total tackles, 11 TFLs, 21 QB hits, and 11 sacks. After leaving Chicago, Gipson then played for the Titans and Seahawks.
Meanwhile, Shelley was acquired via trade in 2019. For the next three seasons (2019-2021), he played in 30 games (6 starts). The 28-year-old had 53 tackles and four pass breakups. He also gave this team a special-teams contributor.
Although these guys haven't been with the Bears since 2022, they are still looking to land another opportunity in the league, and it happens to be with the Lions. We'll have to see if either guy is good enough to stick with Detroit, and that will be a story worth watching over the next couple of days for Bears fans.