The Chicago Bears have signed 26-year-old defensive back Keidron Smith to the practice squad, a familiar move that brings the Kentucky product back to Halas Hall after a brief earlier stint this month.
The Bears announced the signing on Friday, in tandem with placing defensive back Anthony Johnson on the practice squad injured list.
Smith first joined Chicago’s practice squad on Sept. 9 after a workout that also included safeties Jerrick Reed and Rashad Wisdom. Three days later he was released to create a roster spot when the Bears signed and elevated quarterback Miller Moss.
The latest transaction restores secondary depth without touching the 53-man roster.
Smith, listed at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins after the 2023 draft. He spent time on the Washington Commanders’ practice squad that fall before landing with the Denver Broncos.
In 2024, he appeared in nine games for Denver, mostly on special teams, and recorded seven tackles. Denver signed him to futures deals after both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
In December 2025, the New York Jets signed him off Denver’s practice squad; he played three games for the Jets in 2025, including one start, and finished with 15 tackles. The Atlanta Falcons claimed him off waivers in August 2026 and later waived him at final cuts.
Across 12 career regular-season games and one start, Smith has 22 tackles. He has bounced among several organizations but has shown enough size, special-teams value, and positional flexibility to keep landing opportunities.
At Kentucky in 2022, after four seasons at Ole Miss, Smith earned second-team All-SEC honors. He finished his college career with 269 tackles, seven interceptions, and 26 pass breakups over 60 games.
That production and his frame made him a late-round or undrafted prospect teams have continued to evaluate.
For the Bears, the signing is a low-risk depth add in a secondary that has dealt with injuries.
Practice-squad players can be elevated on game weeks, and Smith already knows the building after his short first stay. Chicago’s practice squad remains full after the Johnson-for-Smith swap.
Smith turns 27 in November. Whether this second Chicago chapter lasts longer than the first will depend on health, practice performance, and how the Bears’ secondary holds up as the season continues.
For now, the 26-year-old defensive back is back on the practice squad, ready if called.
