Former Illinois State football standout and Canadian Football League All-Star Tre Roberson has reportedly agreed to terms on a contract with the Chicago Bears.
Roberson, 27, quarterbacked the Redbirds to the 2014 Football Championship Subdivision title game, which ISU lost to North Dakota State, 29-27. The Indianapolis native spent two seasons in Normal after transferring from Indiana.
Since turning pro, Roberson has shifted to defense, where he helped lead the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders to the Grey Cup title in 2018 while playing cornerback.
Roberson thanked the Bears on Twitter Tuesday “for the opportunity in allowing me to help this organization get to the goal of winning a Super Bowl.”
So blessed to be @ChicagoBears thank you for the opportunity in allowing me to help this organization get to the goal of winning a super bowl. Thank you to my agent for fighting hard for me through this whole process @camRONweiss @DynamicSportGrp#beardown
— Tre Roberson Sr (@tre5_roberson) January 29, 2020
The Chicago Tribune reports Roberson worked out for the Bears earlier this month and received contract offers from 10 NFL teams. The 6-foot, 190-pound Roberson spent time on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad in 2016 and 2017 but never made the 53-man roster.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Twitter Roberson is expected to sign the richest contract for a CFL-to-NFL player since 2009.
Calgary CB Tre Roberson, thought to be the top CFL free agent this year, will sign with the Chicago Bears, per a league source. Roberson chose the Bears over nine other offers. Bears are expected to give Roberson the largest CFL-to-NFL compensation since Miami signed Cameron Wake
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2020
The Bears considered increasing depth in its secondary one of the team's priorities after finishing 8-8 last season.
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