Chicago Bears Make Major Roster Moves, Signing Tre Flowers and Tanoh Kpassagnon While Activating Two Key Players Off NFI List

The Chicago Bears wasted no time making waves as they dive headfirst into training camp, officially announcing a series of significant roster moves that signal their intentions for the 2025 NFL season. On Tuesday, the Bears signed veteran defensive back Tre Flowers and edge rusher Tanoh Kpassagnon, adding experienced depth to a defense already buzzing with young talent. The team also activated two key contributors from the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, signaling the start of what could be one of the most competitive and determined camps in recent Bears memory.

General manager Ryan Poles, who continues to refine the team’s identity, stressed the importance of these additions at Halas Hall.

“These moves are all about competition, toughness, and adding proven experience,” Poles said. “Tre and Tanoh have both played a lot of football in this league. They bring high IQ, leadership, and a professional approach that fits our locker room.”

Veteran Presence for a Young Secondary

Tre Flowers, 29, comes to the Bears after spending time with the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons following a four-year run with the Seattle Seahawks. A former fifth-round pick in 2018, Flowers brings size (6-foot-3, 200 pounds), length, and scheme versatility. His ability to cover tight ends, play press-man, and contribute on special teams makes him a valuable addition to a secondary led by Jaylon Johnson and emerging star Tyrique Stevenson.

For a Bears team looking to build on a much-improved defense under head coach Matt Eberflus, Flowers adds veteran insurance in the cornerback room, which saw ups and downs last season due to injuries and inconsistency from the younger depth pieces.

“Tre gives us flexibility,” Eberflus said. “He’s played outside, he’s played nickel, and he’s been a core special teams guy in big games. That kind of experience is valuable when you’re building a roster to sustain success.”

Tanoh Kpassagnon Brings Physical Edge

If Flowers helps on the back end, the signing of 6-foot-7, 289-pound defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon is meant to bolster the trenches. The 30-year-old former second-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs spent the last four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, carving out a niche as a rotational edge presence capable of disrupting the pocket with his rare size and length.

Kpassagnon is known for his athleticism and football IQ, and while he’s never had more than 5.5 sacks in a season, he’s been an effective rotational piece in multiple fronts. He’s also versatile enough to kick inside on passing downs — something the Bears may exploit alongside rising stars like Gervon Dexter Sr. and Montez Sweat.

“We’re not just adding names,” Poles noted. “We’re adding fit — football character and guys who know how to win in this league. Tanoh is going to help us on the edge, especially with some young guys still growing into their roles.”

With DeMarcus Walker nursing a minor injury and the Bears looking to keep Sweat fresh, the presence of a veteran like Kpassagnon gives defensive coordinator Eric Washington more tools at his disposal in an NFC North that boasts several elite quarterbacks and dynamic offenses.

Two Return From NFI List

In addition to the signings, the Bears activated two players from the Non-Football Injury list — wide receiver Dante Pettis and safety Kendall Williamson. Pettis, who rejoined the team this offseason after spending 2023 on injured reserve, is a name to watch in the receiver room as he brings return-game prowess and route-running polish to an increasingly competitive group headlined by DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and rookie Rome Odunze.

“Dante’s route-running, intelligence, and ability to play multiple roles in our offense is something we value,” said offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. “He’s a guy that’s been around, understands timing, and can contribute on special teams too.”

Meanwhile, Williamson, a second-year safety out of Stanford, returns to a defense where depth at safety remains an open question behind starters Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard. The Bears are intrigued by Williamson’s intelligence and physicality and hope his return to the practice field sparks a leap in development.

“Getting back healthy is step one,” Eberflus said of Williamson. “Now it’s about stacking days, being consistent, and pushing for that next step in Year 2.”

Building Toward Something Bigger

The Bears’ flurry of roster moves is yet another example of the calculated, aggressive strategy the front office is employing under Poles and Johnson. It’s a clear signal that they’re not just planning for the future — they’re building a team ready to contend now.

After an offseason headlined by the selection of quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick and the aggressive acquisition of veteran stars, including Allen and Byard, the Bears continue to add complementary pieces to solidify one of the league’s most improved rosters.

The defense — a unit that ranked in the top half of the league during the second half of last season — is expected to take another leap. The additions of Flowers and Kpassagnon, along with the emergence of second-year linebackers Noah Sewell and Tyrel Dodson, offer hope that this unit could carry the team during Caleb Williams’ development.

Williams, speaking to the media Tuesday, welcomed the news of more defensive reinforcements with the ease and confidence fans have already begun to admire.

“Those guys coming in are just more people I don’t want to face in practice,” Williams joked. “But seriously, you can feel the vibe — the competition, the drive. It’s contagious. Everyone’s hungry.”

Ben Johnson, the new head coach and former offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, echoed that sentiment and praised the front office for continuing to build a well-rounded, balanced team.

“Our goal isn’t just to be talented. It’s to be complete,” Johnson said. “We’re building depth, accountability, and a mentality that you’ve got to earn everything. From top to bottom, we’re trying to be the hardest team to play every week.”

Eyes on the Bigger Picture

With training camp just getting underway and preseason games on the horizon, the Bears’ latest moves ensure key competitions at multiple positions. It’s a strategy rooted in long-term thinking, but also in seizing the moment.

Flowers and Kpassagnon may not be household names, but their additions could play a critical role in the Bears’ push for relevance — or more — in the NFC.

And the returns of Pettis and Williamson are small wins that point to a healthier, deeper, more resilient roster heading into what may be one of the most highly anticipated Bears seasons in a decade.

For fans in Chicago — long starved for a winning product — these are the kind of mid-summer headlines that finally carry weight, not just hope. And as camp battles heat up at Halas Hall, there’s a growing sense around the league: the Bears aren’t just rebuilding anymore. They’re building something real.

Something dangerous.

Something worthy of attention.