Chicago Bears sign safety Marlen Sewell

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 18: Marlen Sewell #7 of the Vanderbilt Commodores reacts during the first half of the game against the LSU Tigers at FirstBank Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With safety Coby Bryant's injury sidelining him for eight to ten weeks, and with safety Elijah Hicks still on the PUP list, the Chicago Bears signed safety Marlen Sewell today.

Sewell (6', 199), a 2026 undrafted free agent from Vanderbilt, was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs after a May tryout, but was released in June. During his five years in college with the Commodores, he had 102 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, .5 sack, 3 passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He has a lot of special teams experience while a reserve early in his collegiate career, but last year he emerged as a leader for their defense.

At his Pro Day, he ran a 4.48 forty, had a 36' vertical, and a 10'6'' broad jump. He's no relation to the Sewell brothers currently on the Bears, and he goes by Marlo.

He'll compete with Anthony Johnson Jr., Gervarrius Owens, and Skyler Thomas to win a backup safety spot or a place on the practice squad.

To make room for Sewell on the roster, the Bears placed defensive end Jonathan Garvin on injured reserve.