Roster Addition Khalid Kareem Lives and Plays on the Edge

It sounds as if the Bears appreciate what they have in an extra edge rusher with former Bengals and Colts lineman Khalid Kareem.

That is, as long as he doesn't do something too dangerous over the Labor Day weekend. Kareem planned some scuba diving over the weekend in North Carolina but that wouldn't be the end of his adventurous side by a long shot.

"I jumped out of a helicopter in Hawaii this past June," he said. "It was like 40 feet, jumped out, swam to the boat with my diving stuff on and went diving. And then had a night dive with manta rays later that week. That's probably my coolest story."

While it sounds like he'd be suited for stunt work in the next Mission Impossible movie, the Bears would just like to get some all-around play from him behind or in a rotation with Yannick Ngakoue, DeMarcus Walker, Rasheem Green and Dominique Robinson.

That's what they feel like they have. To them, he looks like a better run defender than the player they cut when they signed him, Terrell Lewis.   

Kareem left an impression when the Bears faced the Colts in practices before their preseason games. He was later waived by the Colts.

"And I saw him play the run well a couple times and also saw his motor," coach Matt Eberflus said. "I really liked his motor. It runs hot. He's a great effort player. He's very physical. So we like that about him. And we're excited about developing him in our system."

He wasn't in that Eberflus system before because he was only with the Colts in 2022 and played in just four games on a team with new Bears edge rusher Ngakoue.

"Yannick is a solid dude," Kareem said. "He actually kind of took me in from when I first got there, showed me the ropes, gave me some pointers here and there. I was kind of sad to see him 'leave, well once I re-signed, I was sad to see that he didn't come back.

"But then having another opportunity to learn from him long term (in Chicago), I really appreciate it, honestly."

Tight end Cole Kmet ran up against Kareem before but it wasn't on the field on Aug. 19 when Kareem sacked Nathan Peterman on the game's final play. Bears starters weren't playing in the game.

"Heavy hands, good in the run game, tough dude and a good locker room guy. Excited about the addition," Kmet said. "Another Notre Dame guy. So we are always welcoming in Domers.

They were teammates on the Irish teams from 2017-19, before Kmet came as a second-round pick to the Bears and Kareem as a fifth-rounder to the Bengals. Kareem had 13 sacks in three seasons at Notre Dame. They now have four former Irish players, Equanimeous St. Brown and Chase Claypool being the others.

As a Detroit native, Kareem knows all about the Bears and their first opponent Sept. 10, the Green Bay Packers, although it's possible he might not be active on game day as he adjusts to the new scheme and team.

"Growing up in the Midwest, I understand the rivalry," Kareem said. "I mean I truly understand, like truly feel it, like I understand Chicago and Green Bay, so I know what that brings."