Bears re-sign offensive lineman Doug Kramer Jr. to one-year contract
The Bears have re-signed reserve interior offensive lineman Doug Kramer Jr., the team announced Tuesday afternoon.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
Kramer, a Hinsdale Central High and University of Illinois product, was a Bears sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was waived and spent some time with the Arizona Cardinals before returning to Chicago and eventually working his way up from the practice squad. He played two games for the Bears in 2023 and 16 for them last season.
RELATED CONTENT:
- Updating Bears salary cap status after major NFL free agency signings
- How Bears’ Drew Dalman can ‘narrow the aperture’ for Caleb Williams
- Why Bears considered Dayo Odeyingbo a safe bet in NFL free agency
- Ranking Bears’ team needs after initial waves of NFL free agency
Kramer is capable of playing center and guard, but he filled it at guard when called upon last season. He adds depth to a new-look interior line. Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson will start, and Ryan Bates is the primary reserve at this time. Bill Murray and others also are in the mix with Kramer on the inside.
The Bears should carry nine, possibly 10 linemen, on their 53-man roster, so the competition for backup spots could be fierce over the course of the spring and summer.
Kramer also was featured as a goal-line fullback. When blocking, it worked to great effect. Roschon Johnson and D’Andre Swift scored touchdowns that way. Shane Waldron’s ill-fated decision to hand him the ball in that situation didn’t work out as well, with Kramer (with well-taped hands) fumbled the ball just before the goal line.
That shouldn’t define Kramer, though, as he was an effective player when called upon in a pinch.
The Bears’ O-line is starting to take greater shape, but that still doesn’t eliminate the prospect of them selecting an offensive lineman early in the draft.