Manti Te’o is back. The Bears are signing the veteran linebacker to their practice squad, the team announced on Tuesday. Thanks to the NFL’s new COVID-19 rules, veterans are allowed on practice squads for the first time.
Te’o, an extremely accomplished college player who was a Heisman finalist at Notre Dame, was originally drafted by the Chargers in the second-round back in 2013. He was mostly a starter during his time with the team, but also struggled with numerous injuries. After his rookie contract expired, he signed a two-year deal with New Orleans.
He appeared in all 16 games with the Saints in 2017 and started ten, but took on a much smaller role in 2018, when he only started twice and was a healthy scratch at times down the stretch. He sat out most of last season before suddenly reemerging and signing with the Saints in December of last year. He played in the final few games, starting two.
We didn’t hear anything of him this offseason until the Bears decided to work him out last week. Clearly they liked what they saw. Still only 29 he should have something left in the tank physically, and it’ll be interesting to see if he gets called up to the active roster soon.
That’s all well and good, but they need to find or trade for a solid offensive lineman! Their O-line is pitiful.
Did they sign his girlfriend too?
Is it to soon to joke about this? LMAO
Hahaha beat me to it!
2013 called. They want their joke back.
It’s still funny
Not that funny anymore. It’s been 7 years. It’s time for the joke to die
Just like his girlfriend did
Anyone who gets played like that deserves to be made fun of. He wasn’t even a good NFL player either…
I hope the NFL retains the policy of allowing vets to be signed to the practice squads, even after (if?) things get back to normal.
I’m going to go way out on a limb and predict he won’t be wearing #51 with the Bears.
Thanks captain obvious pointing out he can’t wear a retired number got anything else to tell us like it’s cold in Chicago in the winter ?
When he was drafted I was happy for him but being a Bears fan I wanted him here I’m a U of Illinois fan which has awesome lineman ever year but we never get them but I watched this guy in college I said there a hall of famer injuries stopped that but him behind R.Smith and last week Danny T played like we knew he could are Defense just went another level up
Trade only for O line unless it’s Warford at Guard