In a move to strengthen their defensive line, the Chicago Bears have acquired defensive tackle Chris Williams from the Cleveland Browns. The Bears made the trade on Saturday morning, sending the 2025 sixth-round pick they acquired in the Chase Claypool trade to the Browns in exchange for Williams and a seventh-round selection in the same year.

Williams, a 26-year-old undrafted free agent from Wagner College, initially signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020. Interestingly, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus was Williams' defensive coordinator during his time with the Colts. After appearing in 13 NFL games as a reserve for Indianapolis from 2021 to 2022, Williams spent time on the practice squads of the Kansas City Chiefs and Browns in 2023.

Following the 2023 season, the Browns signed Williams to a reserve/future deal and he had an impressive preseason with the team. In just 45 defensive snaps, Williams showcased his potential with five tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, four QB hits, and a forced fumble. However, despite his strong performance, Williams found himself on the roster bubble due to the Browns' depth on the defensive line.

Aware of the risk of losing him on the waiver wire, the Bears decided to proactively acquire Williams to bolster their defensive tackle depth. Their move ensures that Williams joins the team in case he was claimed by another team ahead of Chicago. With his familiarity with Coach Eberflus' defensive system, Williams will have a head start in settling into the Bears' defensive scheme.

The addition of Chris Williams is another step taken by the Chicago Bears to strengthen their defense this season. With his size and potential, Williams has the opportunity to contribute and compete for playing time alongside the Bears' existing defensive tackle group. As the 2025 NFL season approaches, fans eagerly await to see how Williams will perform in the blue and orange.