January 17, 2026, 12:57 PM Central Time
most new orleans saints The players whose practice squad contracts ended last week are still figuring out their futures. Some players, like backup quarterback Hunter Deckers, have opted to play in the UFL’s spring league. Players like linebacker Nephi Sewell have another chance to continue playing in the NFL.
Sewell is chicago bears The practice squad reunited him with some familiar faces, according to the official NFL trade wire. Allen was a favorite of Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen when he was in charge of the Saints’ defense, so it makes sense that Sewell would team up with him again. But it’s not just Allen. Sewell’s former teammate Dammarco Jackson is also in Chicago’s linebackers room, as is his younger brother Noah Sewell. It says a lot that the Bears signed Sewell just one day after his contract with the Saints expired.
This marks the end of Sewell’s time in New Orleans, where he has spent his entire NFL career since turning pro from Utah in 2022. He will likely sign a reserve/future contract with the Bears after the season and compete for a roster spot in training camp this summer. Sewell was an excellent special teams player for the Saints (473 snaps in the kicking game), persevered when called upon to play defense (just 116 snaps in 30 games), and won the team’s Ed Brock Courage Award in 2024 after recovering from a severe knee injury. But Brandon Staley has a different vision for the linebacker corps. Good luck to Mr. Sewell in Chicago.
