Bears sign Jason Spriggs and Ramiz Ahmed

Dan Graziano, NFL Insider for ESPN, was the first to report that the Chicago Bears are signing former Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Jason Spriggs to a one-year deal.

Spriggs spent all of last year on injured reserve with an injury to his trapezius muscle, but he also spent time on IR in 2017 with a hamstring injury. The Packers actually cut him last August with a waived/injured designation, but since he cleared waivers he reverted back to Green Bay’s injured reserve list where he remained all of 2019.

Spriggs, a former second-round draft pick out of Indiana, was rumored to be a draft target of the Bears in 2016, but the Packers traded up to take him one spot in front of Chicago at 48 overall. That may have prompted Bears’ GM Ryan Pace to trade back and eventually take offensive lineman Cody Whitehair with the 56th overall pick, and Whitehair has been a mainstay on the Bears offensive line by never missing a start in four years.

If Spriggs can bounce back and stay healthy, he’ll have a chance to compete for the swing tackle spot, as last year’s swing tackle, Cornelius Lucas, was signed by Washington. Spriggs is the second offensive lineman the Bears have added this offseason joining Germain Ifedi, who is slated to compete at right guard.

The Spriggs signing has officially been announced by the Bears in a flurry of moves.

Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images

The Bears also announced a one-year deal for Nevada kicker Ramiz Ahmed. He last kicked collegiately in 2018 where he went 40 for 45 on extra points and 15 for 20 on field goals, including going 15 of 16 on attempts under 40 yards. Ahmed made Nevada’s roster as a kickoff specialist in 2017 after a tryout.

Also officially signed today were exclusive-rights free agents J.P. Holtz and Rashaad Coward. Holtz was an in season addition to the team last year and he ended up as their most consistent tight end appearing in 14 games with 7 starts. Coward filled in at right guard in 13 games and 10 starts a year ago, and he’ll be looking to make the team as a reserve offensive lineman in 2020.

But the most surprising move of the day was the announcement that the Bears are parting ways with tight end Trey Burton. You can find out all the details on that decision right here.