The Chicago Bears are adding a veteran offensive lineman to their 2025 roster just two days after naming Ben Johnson as their new head coach. As per the team’s transaction wire from January 22, the Bears have signed 29-year-old offensive tackle Joshua Miles and second-year safety Alex Cook — both formerly with the New York Giants — to reserve/future contracts for the upcoming offseason.
Miles, a 2019 seventh-round pick, has played 10 games over the last six seasons, spending time with both the Giants and the Arizona Cardinals. While he’s logged more snaps on special teams (69) than on offense (23), his experience will provide additional depth to the Bears’ offensive line, which is expected to see significant changes in 2025. With seven offensive linemen, including tackles Larry Borom and Jake Curhan, set to hit free agency in March, the Bears are facing some tough decisions.
Additionally, the team will closely monitor the recovery of starting left tackle Braxton Jones, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 15 and underwent surgery. If his recovery raises concerns about his availability next season, the Bears will need to prepare for a potential backup plan.
Will Joshua Miles Endure Until NFL Training Camp?
While Joshua Miles may not be seen as a game-changing addition for the Bears, his signing is still notable—primarily because the team is in dire need of offensive linemen.
Miles spent three seasons as a starter at Morgan State, playing both guard and tackle. In his senior year in 2018, he allowed just one sack as a full-time starter and earned a third-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference spot, along with an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl.
The Arizona Cardinals were impressed enough with the 6-foot-5, 325-pound lineman to take a chance on him in the seventh round. By 2021, he had earned a backup role behind Pro Bowl left tackle D.J. Humphries, playing in 10 games though most of his snaps came on special teams.
For the Bears, taking a chance on Miles makes sense with their offensive line depth currently uncertain. Whether he makes it to their 2025 training camp, however, will depend on how the team approaches the position in free agency.
Alex Cook Boosts Safety Position Under Ben Johnson
The Bears also made a move to strengthen their safety position on Wednesday with the signing of Alex Cook, who brings more NFL experience to the team than Joshua Miles.
Cook went undrafted in 2023 but joined the New York Giants in the offseason. He didn’t make their initial 53-man roster, instead landing on the practice squad. However, in mid-October, the Carolina Panthers signed him off the Giants’ practice squad and added him to their active roster for depth.
After being a healthy scratch for his first game with the Panthers, Cook played in the next 10 games to finish out the 2023 season, starting two of them. In his NFL debut as a starter at strong safety, he made an impressive showing with seven total tackles second-most on the team and added a tackle for a loss while playing every defensive snap.
Despite his strong performance, Cook didn’t stick with the Panthers, who underwent a coaching change between the 2023 and 2024 seasons, leading to him spending his second year on the practice squad. The Bears, however, may see potential in giving a young player with real NFL experience a shot at making their roster.
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