The Bears have signed the top linebacker on the market!!
Matt Lombardo reported that the Bears have signed Demarquis Gates.
Gates was widely viewed as the top LB in the USFL this spring. Gates has played for three professional football leagues. He initially joined the Browns in 2018 as an undrafted free agent but was released. He then played for Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football. Gates led the AAF with 52 tackles and five forced fumbles through eight games before the league folded. He then played in the USFL as well and he completely dominated in that league. He was widely regarded as the best defensive player in the league.
Gates played at Ole Miss from 2014-17, leading the Rebels in tackles each of his final three seasons.
As a senior, he became the first Ole Miss player to record more than 100 tackles since five-time All-Pro Patrick Willis accomplished the feat in 2006.
Gates' 70 solo tackles in 2017 topped the SEC and put him at 13th-best in FBS. His 9.5 tackles per game ranked third in the conference.
In April 2019, Gates signed with the Redskins but was waived in June.
Here are a few of his highlights:
