Quarterback Aaron Murray and cornerback Antwon Blake are among eight veteran free agents who are slated to participate in this week's Bears rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
Murray should be familiar with the offense having worked with Bears first-year coach Matt Nagy in Kansas City. Murray was selected by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2014 draft out of Georgia and remained with the team until being waived Sept. 3, 2016. Nagy served as Chiefs quarterbacks coach from 2013-15 and offensive coordinator in 2016-17.
Murray spent parts of the 2016 season on the practice squad with the Cardinals and Eagles and some of the 2017 offseason with the Rams.
Blake has appeared in 78 NFL games with 18 starts for the Jaguars (2012), Steelers (2013-15) and Titans (2016). In 2015, he started all 16 games at cornerback for the Steelers, recording two interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
Blake entered the NFL with Jacksonville in 2012 as an undrafted free agent from UTEP. He signed with the Giants in March 2017, but announced his retirement Sept. 5.
Other unsigned veterans trying out during this week's Bears rookie minicamp are tackles Donald Hawkins and Matt McCants, offensive lineman Francis Kallon, quarterback Trevor Knight, receiver Gio Pascascio and defensive lineman Kendall Reyes.
Hawkins has played in eight NFL games all as a reserve—one with the Cowboys in 2014 and seven with the Panthers in 2016. He entered the league in 2014 as an undrafted free agent with the Eagles out of Texas, and also has spent time with the Browns, Dolphins, 49ers, Jets and Chiefs, working with Nagy in Kansas City last year.
McCants has appeared in four NFL games, two with the Raiders and two with the Bears in 2016. He was selected by the Giants in the sixth round of the 2012 draft out of Alabama-Birmingham and spent his rookie season on their practice squad. He also has spent time with the Browns.
Kallon entered the NFL last year as an undrafted free agent with the Steelers out of Georgia Tech. He was waived by the Steelers during final cuts and later spent part of his rookie season on the Packers practice squad. Kallon played defensive end in college—recording 37 tackles and two sacks—but has been attempting to earn an NFL job as an offensive lineman.
Knight entered the NFL in 2017 as an undrafted free agent with the Cardinals out of Texas A&M. He was beaten out by Blaine Gabbert as Arizona's No. 3 quarterback behind Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton. Knight spent part of his rookie season on the Falcons practice squad.
Pascascio entered the NFL last year as an undrafted free agent with the Titans out of Louisville. In college, he appeared in 34 games on special teams and offense over three seasons.
Reyes has played in 76 NFL games with 50 starts over five seasons with the Chargers (2012-15), Chiefs (2016) and Redskins (2016), recording 98 tackles and 14.5 sacks.
