The Chicago Bears recently added veteran cornerback Tre Flowers to strengthen their depth on defense, a move aimed at bringing experience to a unit still trying to find consistency and identity. But just days into his arrival, Flowers is already making headlines for the wrong reasons.
According to insider Brad Biggs, Flowers delivered a jarring hit to wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus during practice—an aggressive move that briefly left Zaccheaus on the ground. Though he eventually got up, the hit raised eyebrows, especially since the team wasn’t practicing in full pads.
“Camp gets physical and it’s a grind,” Biggs posted, “but without pads on, I’m guessing this is the kind of play the Bears hope to avoid.”
Zaccheaus is expected to be an important piece of the Bears’ offense, so seeing him shaken up by a teammate in a non-contact setting is cause for concern. While a certain level of physicality is expected in camp, there’s a clear line that players—especially those fighting for a roster spot—shouldn’t cross.
❌ Wrong Time, Wrong Target
Flowers joined the team with the goal of earning a spot on special teams or as a reserve in the secondary. With starting roles already locked up, he’s under pressure to stand out quickly. However, making a statement by laying out a smaller, finesse receiver like Zaccheaus doesn’t exactly make the best impression.
Zaccheaus, known for his speed and precise route-running, is not a physical wideout. Delivering such a hit not only seemed unnecessary, but it also risked injuring one of the team’s offensive contributors.
A Veteran Trying to Stick — But at What Cost?
Tre Flowers has bounced around the league, spending time with the Seahawks, Bengals, Falcons, Jaguars, and Colts. At every stop, he’s been a fringe roster player working to prove his value on special teams and as a depth piece. Chicago is no different. But with so much on the line, he may have overstepped in trying to prove his toughness.
While the Bears have made it clear they want a more physical defense, injuring key players in training camp scrimmages isn’t the way to win over coaches—or earn a job. Flowers’ early impression could now be viewed as reckless rather than competitive.
This incident will be one to monitor closely, especially regarding Zaccheaus’ health and whether Flowers’ physical approach helps or hurts his chances of making the final roster.
