NFL: Chicago Bears sign Chilean NFL IPP tight end Sammis Reyes

| 2021 NFL International Pathway Program | 10/24/2022

The Chicago Bears have signed former Washington Commanders tight end Sammis Reyes to the practice squad. The NFL’s lone Chilean player appeared in 11 games with one start for the Commanders last season, playing primarily on special teams.

Reyes joined the Bears, after working out for the Bears, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings this month.

Back in 2021, the 6’5 260-pound tight end was set to come through the NFL’s International Pathway Program (IPP). A program that provides international players with both training and a roadmap to break into the NFL. Each year four players are selected from the IPP’s group and placed onto teams in the same division following the NFL Draft. Initially, Reyes was one of the 11 prospects competing for a spot this year. However, he was signed before the draft after Washington pulled the trigger on the raw prospect following an impressive pro day.

According to NFL Network analyst and long-time NFL football executive, Scott Pioli, Reyes ran a 4.64 in the 40-yard dash and reached 31 bench press reps while producing a 40″ vertical and 10’5″ leap in the broad jump. Those are big-time numbers that are all elite even by NFL standards

The 6’5″ 260-pound Reyes was born in Santiago, Chile before moving to the United States when he was 14 years old. Basketball was Reyes’s first love as he became a talented forward playing for Tulane University and the Chilean National team. After finishing his college basketball career in 2019, Reyes pivoted to the gridiron hoping to make the transition from rebounder to tight end, following in the footsteps of NFL pros such as Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, and Moe Ali-Cox.

After being released from the Commanders in August and drawing interest from several teams, the Chilean tight end hopes to stick around in Chicago as the Bears look to bolster their tight end room and special teams with by adding a prospect like Reyes with big time potential. The 27-year old will join the Chicago Bears practice squad immediately.

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and