Standard procedure when it comes to constructing practice squads is that teams fill them with players that weren’t able to make the main roster. The Chicago Bears are no different. However, there are instances where an outside name from another team might sneak in. That happened last year with left tackle Kellen Diesch. GM Ryan Poles seemed to be keeping things simple this time, with his first 11 additions to the practice squad all being guys the Bears cut following the end of the preseason.
Then, as was the case last year, the Bears pulled a slight swerve. News surfaced that they’d added two unexpected names to the mix, both from the AFC East. Offensive lineman Bill Murray came over from the New England Patriots. Defensive end Deslin Alexandre soon followed from the New York Jets. So what are the Bears getting from both? Precisely what they’re seeking.
The Chicago Bears land two players that fit exactly who they are.
OL Bill Murray
Sharing a name with one of the greatest comedic actors in history makes this an easy thing to joke about. In truth, it’s not hard to see why the Bears like Murray. He was a former defensive tackle in college at William & Mary. He failed to get any headway on the roster when he signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free in 2020. His first two years were spent on the practice squad with zero preseason action. Then, in 2022, the Patriots made a proposal. Consider shifting to the offensive line. Murray accepted the challenge.
He finally saw preseason action the past two years and has shown noticeable progress. Murray is a good athlete and plays with a physical, nasty demeanor. Those traits fit right in with what the Bears want from their linemen.
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EDGE Deslin Alexandre
This one was far easier to see coming. Even before the draft, the Chicago Bears showed interest in the Pitt defensive end, making him one of their top 30 visits. They likely tried to lure him as an undrafted free agent. However, he chose to sign with the New York Jets instead. He was immediately trapped on a stacked depth chart with no hope of making the team. Still, that didn’t stop him from posting five pressures, a sack, and five run stops in the preseason for them. He even had a special teams tackle.
Alexandre is the prototypical Matt Eberflus defensive end. He’s big (6’4, 264 lbs), has 34-inch arms, and has tremendous upper-body strength. It’s hard to block him when he gets a head of steam. Most of his problems also seem coachable, from his pad level being too high to a pass rush arsenal lacking variety.
Both Murray and Alexandre follow the same patterns other recent additions do. They are good athletes with high character who play with intensity and a finisher mentality. Alexandre had 16.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles for a loss in college. Go watch his performance against Syracuse last year for an idea of how devastating he can be. Murray isn’t as tested, but he’s been coached by one of the best in Bill Belichick. Both guys should have no issue fitting in with this Bears culture.
