Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles is finally admitting his mistake with two of his 2023 draft selections ahead of the NFL’s 53-man roster cutdown.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bears are waiving former fourth-round wide receiver Tyler Scott and former third-round defensive tackle Zacch Pickens on Tuesday as they work to trim down their 2025 active roster into its initial 53-player form.
Scott, a 2023 fourth-round pick, had once seemed like a potential starter in the slot for the Bears after showing promise as a rookie, but he fell out of favor with the offense in his second year and never regained confidence with Ben Johnson’s new coaching staff.
Meanwhile, Pickens struggled to make an impact for the Bears’ defensive interior over his first two seasons, recording 39 tackles, 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hits on 492 defensive snaps and failing to climb the depth chart into a more meaningful role.
Both Scott and Pickens will now go down as busts on Poles’ GM record. Six of the 10 players the Bears drafted in 2023 remain with the team, though former fifth-round cornerback Terell Smith was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Monday.
The Bears have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to reduce their roster to the 53-man limit.
Bears Likely Keeping Rookie After Waiving Tyler Scott
Many expected Scott would have a difficult time making the Bears’ 2025 active roster.
The Bears majorly improved their receiving corps during the 2025 offseason, signing free-agent deals with veterans Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay and drafting Missouri standout Luther Burden III early in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft. They also returned D.J. Moore and 2024 first-round pick Rome Odunze as starters.
At best, that left Chicago with one depth spot in its 2025 receiving rotation.
With Scott out of the mix now, though, the door seems wide open for undrafted rookie and preseason standout Jahdae Walker to make the team as the Bears’ sixth receiver.
Walker caught eight passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason for the Bears, hauling in a 15-yard, game-winning touchdown catch from quarterback Tyson Bagent in the team’s preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend. He also stood out regularly with his playmaking ability in practice throughout camp.
While the Bears could opt to keep just five receivers, chances are good that Walker will have a place with the team in 2025, even if he only fits in on the practice squad.
Could Tyler Scott or Zacch Pickens Return to the PS?
Speaking of the practice squad, the Bears could have opportunities to reunite with Scott or Pickens in the coming days, depending on how things unfold with the waiver wire.
Because the Bears waived both players, Scott and Pickens are subject to waivers and are eligible to be claimed by other teams over the next 24 hours. If a team claims either one, they will remain signed to their rookie contracts and continue to make the same money. Otherwise, if both players clear waivers, they will become unrestricted free agents.
At that point, the Bears could decide to re-sign either Scott or Pickens to their practice squad if they feel they are still worth developing. Both players have disappointed, but failing to make the roster is not necessarily a sign that the team has ruled them out.
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