There are Illinois football players scattered throughout the NFL, and some are even playing in their own backyard.
The Illini, especially since Bret Bielema took over, have seen numerous players make it in the NFL. The talent can come in the form of first-round draft picks like Devon Witherspoon. Some have been drafted late in the proceedings. Others have signed on via free agency.
In the case of Doug Kramer, he was drafted by the Chicago Bears back in 2022. Well, the former sixth-round pick of the Bears has now signed another contract. On Tuesday afternoon, the Bears put out a press release saying they had signed Kramer to a new one-year contract.
Hinsdale's own is back for more
We have re-signed Doug Kramer Jr. to a one-year contract
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 18, 2025
Kramer has been a reliable player for Chicago over the past couple of seasons. In year one, he did go down with a lower leg injury that put him out for the season. Kramer then saw action in two games in 2023. This past season, he played in all 16 games for the Bears.
Doug Kramer is going to be a part of a resurging Chicago Bears franchise
It is exciting that Kramer is back with the Bears. He signed his rookie deal back in 2022. Kramer then signed a one-year deal in 2024 for $915,000. He is now back with the Bears on another one-year deal in 2025, but the money has not been released.
I imagine Kramer is excited to be back with the Bears. Chicago has done a lot of work in the offseason building around quarterback Caleb Williams, and most of this work has come on the offensive line.
The Bears signed center Drew Dalman to a three-year deal. We also traded for Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Joe Thuney and Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Jonah Jackson. These three additions, along with bringing back Kramer, should help stabilize a Bears offensive line that has struggled for years. Something special is happening in Chicago.