Another former Chicago Bears player, thirty-year-old quarterback Nathan Peterman, has joined the Atlanta Falcons’ roster.
The Falcons added Peterman to their practice squad on Tuesday, making him their new No. 3 quarterback behind first-round rookie backup Michael Penix Jr. and seasoned starter Kirk Cousins, per the team’s September 3 transaction wire.
Peterman played in five games overall and made one start for the Bears in 2022 during his two seasons there in a similar capacity. He started the 2023 season as Justin Fields’ primary backup, but Chicago used him as a temporary backup quarterback while Tyson Bagent was being ready for the position.
During free agency, the Bears signed veteran Brett Rypien rather than bringing back Peterman for the 2024 campaign. After the 2024 NFL draft, they also added undrafted rookie Austin Reed, who is currently their third option, on the roster.
Peterman signed with the New Orleans Saints in March after receiving no offer to go back to Chicago, but the team cut him in the first week of August. After that, he signed with Las Vegas and played for the Raiders for much of the preseason. However, they dropped him at the 53-man roster cutdown, which left him a free agent once more ahead of the regular season.
There are currently seven former Bears on the rosters of the Falcons. During free agency, they signed defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and former starting wide out Darnell Mooney. On their practice squad are safety Dane Cruikshank, offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson, defensive lineman LaCale London, and edge rusher Khalid Kareem.
Julién Davenport, a former Bear, was also cut by the Falcons to make place for Peterman.
Packers Desired Brett Rypien to Return to Practice Squad
The September 3 HBO special “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears” showed the Bears had another option for their No. 3 spot on the practice squad. However, they have decided on their three quarterbacks for the 2024 season.
During the August 27 cutdown, the Bears only kept two quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster: rookie starter Caleb Williams and Bagent. However, the documentary’s last episode revealed that, should Reed fail to find work on another team’s active roster for 2024, Rypien, not Reed, would be reinstated for the No. 3 spot.
During his cut meeting with general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, Rypien stated that he would like to rejoin the Bears practice squad. However, he eventually received an opportunity to sign an active contract with the Minnesota Vikings, where he will be a backup to veteran starter Sam Darnold.
Luckily for the Bears, they were confident in Reed’s potential and moved him back to the No. 3 spot. Kerry Joseph, the quarterback coach, went so far as to say he was unconcerned about his team’s quarterback depth, which included two rookies and a second-year player. If the Bears made the proper choice in selecting Williams, Bagent, and Reed, only time will tell.
Williams, Caleb Rookie Debut Is Scheduled Against Titans
There is essentially only one quarterback question on Bears fans’ minds going into the opening game of the 2024 season, despite the fact that a former quarterback signing with another team is noteworthy: How will Williams perform in his regular-season debut for Chicago?
Williams has been the focus of the Bears’ attention since before they selected him first overall in the 2024 draft. They taught him the playbook and the offense during some of the pre-draft process. In addition, they announced him as their starting quarterback in the spring, as opposed to other teams who have rookie quarterbacks who wait until training camp or later.
The results on Williams have been positive thus far. His preseason performances gave glimpses of what first made him such a tremendous prospect, and his teammates and coaches have been raving about his poise, skill, and leadership. His true test now, though, will be to bring everything together and prove that he can win games for Chicago.
Luckily for Williams, the Bears have put together one of the best rookie quarterback opportunities in recent memory. Their receiving group is led by D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and rookie Rome Odunze, selected in the first round. They also have strong non-wideout options in tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett, as well as running back D’Andre Swift.
On September 3, Moore stated, “I just want him to go out there and play football for real, do what he’s been doing.” “Lead us to victory; he is a winner. As per the consensus, he possesses a multitude of weaponry. Simply guard the ball with your points like it’s a game of basketball. He’ll be well, too. I don’t worry too much about him.
On September 8, at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, the Bears will play host to the Tennessee Titans in the 2024 season opening at Soldier Field.
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