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Bears sign Maurice Alexander Jr. to a reserve/futures contract
When he posted a picture on his social media from Halas Hall, it seemed evident that former Detroit Lions practice squadder Maurice Alexander Jr. was set to sign a reserve/futures contract with the Chicago Bears.
Aaron Wilson, who covers the NFL for Houston’s KPRC, now reports the deal has been signed.
Alexander went undrafted in the 2020 draft following his four years at Florida International University, where he was named First-team All-Conference USA as a punt returner in 2018. That was also his first season as a wide receiver after playing his first two years for the Panthers at quarterback.
Alexander (5’11”, 174 pounds), a 28-year-old receiver/returner, had been with the Lions from 2022 through 2024, and he bounced back and forth from the practice squad to the active roster a few times. In all, he’s appeared in seven games, with one reception for seven yards, four punt returns for 42 yards, and six kickoff returns for 146 yards.
He also did this in a 2023 preseason game.
Before signing with the Lions, Alexander was named All-USFL in 2022 as a kick returner for the Philadelphia Stars.
I would imagine Alexander isn’t the only former Lion who will come to Chicago now that Ben Johnson is running the show. It’s always good to have some players who know the verbiage a new head coach will put in place.
49ers Recommended to Sign Bears Free Agent OL
Improving the offensive line will be one of the San Francisco 49ers’ goals this offseason.
The first step in doing so is dabbling in free agency. The 49ers usually don’t go after talented free agent offensive lineman. It’s bargain signings that they tend to look for. That needs to end this free agency period if they want to improve at all.
One player who can do th
at is Chicago Bears guard Teven Jenkins. Pro Football Focus has recommended that the 49ers sign the Bears free-agent offensive lineman. Here is what they had to say about the two sides being a good match.
“A series of nagging injuries plagued Jenkins’ 2024 campaign, but even still, he managed to produce well on the interior of this Bears’ offensive line. His 75.8 PFF pass-blocking grade stands as a career high for the 26-year-old guard after he allowed just a 3.8% pressure rate (also a career high).
“The Niners nailed their selection of Dominick Puni in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft but still need to build up their interior. Adding Jenkins to the left side would complement both Puni at the other guard spot and Trent Williams on the outside.”
The 49ers will have a vacancy at left guard with Aaron Banks likely headed elsewhere. Jenkins can provide an upgrade over Banks and would act as a cornerstone piece to the position given his young age. The only issue is he’s coming off an injury-riddled season.
Plus, he could come at a steep cost. Jenkins is sure to have multiple suitors and the 49ers aren’t one to enter a bidding ward like that. I’d imagine the 49ers sign an offensive lineman who isn’t being propped up as one of the top free agents to be their starting left guard.
