Chicago Bears Sign Veterans CB Tre Flowers, DE Tanoh Kpassagnon to Bolster Defense With Experience and Depth Ahead of 2025 Season.

The Chicago Bears are sending a clear message ahead of the 2025 NFL season: defense matters. In a pair of under-the-radar yet impactful signings, the team added veteran cornerback Tre Flowers and defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon, bolstering its depth, experience, and overall versatility on the defensive side of the ball.

The signings were officially announced by the team on Tuesday, and while they didn’t dominate national headlines, they represent critical building blocks for a roster that’s trending upward under new head coach Ben Johnson. Both players bring proven track records, veteran savvy, and a work ethic that aligns with the aggressive, no-nonsense culture being instilled at Halas Hall.

Rebuilding the Defense, One Piece at a Time

The Bears’ defense, once the hallmark of the franchise, has been inconsistent in recent seasons. Despite having individual stars—like Jaylon Johnson and Montez Sweat—the unit has lacked the depth and experience to truly dominate over a full season. Injuries, blown coverages, and lackluster pass-rushing depth have held the team back from achieving its full potential.

General manager Ryan Poles has made it a priority this offseason to change that narrative. Signing Kpassagnon and Flowers adds two respected veterans who understand what it takes to compete at a high level and fill glaring needs across the roster.

“This was about bringing in smart, physical, high-character football players,” Poles said during the press announcement. “We’re not just looking for bodies—we’re looking for guys who understand their role, can mentor younger players, and contribute right away.”

Tre Flowers: A Veteran Presence in the Secondary

Tre Flowers, 29, enters his seventh NFL season and brings a wealth of experience at both outside corner and safety. Originally drafted in the fifth round by the Seattle Seahawks in 2018, Flowers quickly established himself as a lengthy, aggressive cover corner in Pete Carroll’s defense. He also had stints with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons, showcasing versatility and reliability in zone and man schemes.

At 6-foot-3, Flowers brings rare length to the secondary—an asset that defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero values in boundary coverage, especially against taller wide receivers. While Flowers has primarily been a depth piece and rotational player in recent years, he’s also started 44 career games and has playoff experience.

“Tre is someone we’ve had our eye on for a while,” Evero said. “He understands spacing, communicates well, and plays with a physical edge. That’s exactly the kind of presence we want in our DB room.”

With Jaylon Johnson holding down one side of the field and young corners like Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon developing, Flowers gives the Bears insurance and flexibility. He can play in big nickel packages, serve as a dime backer, or even rotate into special teams where he’s contributed consistently throughout his career.

Tanoh Kpassagnon: Size, Strength, and Scheme Versatility

Tanoh Kpassagnon, 30, is one of those defensive linemen who doesn’t always get credit on the stat sheet—but consistently earns respect in the trenches. At 6-foot-7 and 289 pounds, he’s a physical specimen with an incredible wingspan and surprising mobility for his size.

Kpassagnon was originally a second-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017, where he played four seasons and was part of the team’s Super Bowl LIV championship roster. Most recently, he spent three seasons with the New Orleans Saints, providing reliable snaps as a rotational end and interior rusher.

Though never a double-digit sack producer, Kpassagnon is disruptive in multiple ways—batting passes, setting the edge against the run, and collapsing the pocket from multiple alignments. He has 14 career sacks, 29 QB hits, and dozens of hurries.

“He’s one of those guys who makes everyone else better,” said Bears defensive line coach Travis Smith. “He understands leverage, plays with controlled violence, and can line up in multiple techniques. That kind of versatility is gold in today’s NFL.”

With Montez Sweat anchoring the pass rush and rising players like Dominique Robinson and Gervon Dexter still developing, Kpassagnon is expected to serve as a veteran glue guy. He can play base end in 4-3 looks, kick inside in nickel packages, or rotate on early downs to keep the front seven fresh.

What This Means for the Bears Defense

Adding Flowers and Kpassagnon doesn’t dramatically change the headlines, but it significantly raises the floor of the defense. These are the kinds of signings that championship-caliber teams make—reliable veterans who know their role, don’t demand attention, and raise the level of those around them.

With Ejiro Evero implementing a multiple-look defense that will feature a mix of man and zone coverages, exotic fronts, and rotational pass-rush packages, having cerebral, experienced players like Flowers and Kpassagnon is critical.

The Bears are building a defense that doesn’t rely on just stars—but on cohesion, chemistry, and depth.

“Championship defenses are built with more than talent,” Evero said. “They’re built with trust. And trust comes from having guys who know what to do in high-stress moments. That’s what Tre and Tanoh bring.”

Leadership and Locker Room Impact

Beyond the Xs and Os, both Flowers and Kpassagnon are known as respected locker room presences.

Flowers has earned praise throughout his career for his professionalism, preparation, and mentorship of younger players. In Atlanta last season, he was often seen working with rookie DBs after practice. Kpassagnon, a graduate of Villanova with a degree in finance, has been lauded for his intelligence and leadership both on and off the field.

These are traits that coach Ben Johnson values immensely as he builds a new culture in Chicago.

“We want high-character guys who love football,” Johnson said. “Both Tre and Tanoh check that box. They’re competitors, but they’re also teachers. That matters when you’ve got a young team trying to find its identity.”

Depth Chart Implications

The Bears now have a clearer picture of their depth heading into camp:

• Cornerbacks: Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Tre Flowers, Terell Smith, Josh Blackwell

• Defensive Ends/Edges: Montez Sweat, Dominique Robinson, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Austin Booker (rookie), Khalid Kareem

While Flowers is unlikely to start unless injuries strike, he offers a dependable option who can step in without significant drop-off. He’ll compete with Smith and Blackwell for rotational and special teams snaps.

Kpassagnon, meanwhile, may find himself as the third or fourth edge on the depth chart, but will undoubtedly be used in sub-packages and in goal-line situations.

The additions also give the Bears flexibility in case of injuries—a key advantage in a long, physically demanding season.

Bears’ Bigger Picture: Quietly Contenders?

While much of the national media continues to focus on Caleb Williams and the offensive rebuild, the Bears’ defensive upgrades are flying under the radar. The additions of Jaylon Johnson (extension pending), Sweat (via trade and new deal), rookie Gervon Dexter’s development, and now veterans like Kpassagnon and Flowers signal a team that’s quietly building a championship-caliber defense.

If Williams can meet expectations—and the defense plays with the physicality and discipline Ben Johnson and Ejiro Evero demand—the Bears could be a dark horse playoff team in 2025.

“We’re not here to rebuild slowly,” Ben Johnson said. “We’re here to win games. Now.”

The signings of Tre Flowers and Tanoh Kpassagnon won’t grab the ESPN ticker or dominate social media. But in NFL war rooms and among coaches who understand what wins games in December and January, these moves matter.

Veteran depth. Scheme fit. Positional versatility. Locker room leadership.

The Bears didn’t just add players—they added pieces to a puzzle that’s starting to come together.

And if Chicago is going to rise from NFC North basement dwellers to legitimate contenders, it’s moves like these—smart, strategic, unselfish—that will help them get there.

Because when the lights are brightest and the games mean the most, it’s often not the stars who win you games—it’s the trusted veterans who make the right play at the right time.

Tre Flowers and Tanoh Kpassagnon? They’re built for that moment. And now, they’re Bears.