Squirrel White’s NFL career ended before it really began.
The Chicago Bears placed White on its reserve/retired list on May 11. The transaction, which abruptly ends White’s pro career, comes 16 days after the Bears signed the Florida State wide receiver as an undrafted free agent.
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The reason for White’s retirement is not clear as of the time of writing: the evening of May 11.
ESPN Bears writer Courtney Cronin reported that she saw White leaving the Bears’ practice field during rookie minicamp on May 9. Cronin wrote on the social media website X that the rookie receiver left with a trainer while the team was still doing stretches and did not return to practice later.
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White began his collegiate football career at Tennessee in 2022. He played in 38 games during his time on Rocky Top, catching 131 passes for 1,665 yards and six touchdowns.
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White transferred to Florida State ahead of the 2025 season and played in 10 games for the Seminoles. In his lone season in Tallahassee, White caught five passes for 52 yards.
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New York Jets – Arch Manning, QB, Texas
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New York Jets – Arch Manning, QB, Texas
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Miami Dolphins – Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
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Arizona Cardinals – Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
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Atlanta Falcons – Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
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Tennessee Titans – Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
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Las Vegas Raiders – Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
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Cleveland Browns – CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
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New York Giants – Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
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New Orleans Saints – Colin Simmons, DE/OLB, Texas
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Washington Commanders – Dylan Stewart, DE/OLB, South Carolina
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Jets (from IND) – KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
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Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
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Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Pittsburgh Steelers – Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
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Jets (from DAL) – Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
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As of the time of writing, it is unclear why White retired so abruptly from the NFL.
Squirrel White injury history
White did not have an extensive injury history in college.
In 2025, he left the Seminoles’ Week 2 game against East Texas A&M with a wrist injury and missed one game. He also missed an October game against Pittsburgh with an undisclosed injury.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bears UDFA Squirrel White retired abruptly. What we know
