Former Calgary Stampeders defensive back Tre Roberson has signed with the Chicago Bears.
Calgary CB Tre Roberson, thought to be the top CFL free agent this year, will sign with the Chicago Bears, per a league source. Roberson chose the Bears over nine other offers. Bears are expected to give Roberson the largest CFL-to-NFL compensation since Miami signed Cameron Wake
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2020
Former B.C. Lions defensive end Cameron Wake signed a four-year deal for $4.9 million with $1 million guaranteed when he went from the CFL to the NFL in 2009. Roberson’s deal could rival the one Wake received over 10 years ago.
The San Francisco 49ers gave current Stamps receiver Eric Rogers a $125,000 signing bonus and guaranteed $100,000 of his NFL salary in 2016, the most upfront money since Wake got his seven figures.
So blessed to be @ChicagoBears thank you for the opportunity in allowing me to help this organization get to the goal of winning a super bowl. Thank you to my agent for fighting hard for me through this whole process @camRONweiss @DynamicSportGrp#beardown
— Tre Roberson (@tre5_roberson) January 29, 2020
The Stampeders released Roberson in order to allow him to pursue the opportunity in the NFL. In 2019, Roberson earned CFL all-star honours and was Calgary’s nominee for the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player award. He made 16 starts and ranked second in the CFL with seven interceptions.
The 27-year-old scored two touchdowns – one on an interception return and one on a fumble recovery. Roberson also had 12 knockdowns – the third-highest total in the CFL – as well as 41 tackles. In 32 career regular season games over two seasons with Calgary, Roberson has 95 tackles and 10 interceptions.
Roberson’s agent Cameron Weiss vowed to ‘raise hell‘ with both leagues to allow his client the chance to sign an NFL contract. That’s exactly what Roberson accomplished.
