Full Breakdown
Squirrel White Retires After Two-Week Stint with Chicago Bears
5/12/2026, 3:55:22 AM
Brief Career Ends After Two Weeks
Marquarius Malik “Squirrel” White, a 25-year-old undrafted wide receiver, signed with the Chicago Bears on April 25, 2026. Eleven days later, on May 11, the team placed him on the reserve/retired list, ending a career that lasted only two weeks and a rookie minicamp. The move removed White from the Bears’ 90-man offseason roster while the club retained his contractual rights. No explanation for the retirement has been released.
College Production and Undrafted Signing
White spent three seasons at the University of Tennessee, posting 131 receptions for 1,665 yards and six touchdowns. He transferred to Florida State for his final year, catching five passes for 52 yards. A 2024 PCL sprain, which he referenced in a 2025 interview about regaining spring-practice work, may have affected his production. After going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bears signed him as a free agent.
Timeline of the Two-Week Stint
April 25 – White signs a UDFA contract with Chicago.
May 8 – Bears announce the signing.
May 9-10 – White attends rookie minicamp.
May 11 – Bears place him on the reserve/retired list and add veteran Scotty Miller and rookie Kyron Hudson to the 90-man roster.
Team Response and Roster Adjustments
The Bears’ transaction note confirmed White’s placement on the reserve/retired list, noting he no longer counts toward the 90-man limit while the club retains his contract. To maintain receiver depth, Chicago signed veteran Scotty Miller (99 career receptions) and undrafted rookie Kyron Hudson from Penn State. Existing players—Kalif Raymond, third-round pick Zavion Thomas, and returning rookie Jahdae Walker—remain on the roster, providing options for training camp.
Eyewitness Observations and Unclear Reasoning
During Saturday’s stretching session at rookie minicamp, White was seen leaving the field with training staff, as reported by Chicago Tribune reporter Sean Hammond on Twitter. Neither the Bears nor White have offered a formal explanation. A prior interview in which White mentioned recovering from a PCL sprain has prompted speculation that injury played a role, though the team’s statements contain no confirmation.
Verbatim Quotes
"The Bears placed undrafted rookie WR Squirrel White on the reserve/retired list." — Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune reporter (Twitter)
"White landed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent after going unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft." — Ari Meirov, MySportsUpdate (Twitter)
“I’ve been able to get more work (during spring practice) coming off a PCL sprain,” — Marquarius Malik “Squirrel” White, former Tennessee/Florida State wide receiver
“He has a unique skillset, just in terms of him being a 4.2 [40-yard dash] guy,” — Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears head coach
Future Outlook for the Bears’ Receiver Group
The Bears will evaluate Miller, Hudson, Thomas, Raymond and Walker during training camp to determine the final 53-man roster. Retaining White’s contract rights leaves open the possibility of a future return, though no timeline has been announced.
