Wayne Matthews III brings proven production and downhill toughness at linebacker
Matthews is a physical, experienced linebacker with a track record of production at both Old Dominion and Michigan State, including 106 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss over 21 games at Michigan State before signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2026.[1][7] His appeal is less about flash and more about dependable, assignment-sound defense: he has enough size to hold up inside, plays with urgency, and profiles as a plug-and-play special-teams or depth fit for a team that values effort, range, and tackling consistency.[1][7]
