Motivations of why a player signs with one team or another are based around several factors. The biggest, for most anyway, is money. Typically the teams who offer the most get the free agents. That was no different for Tre Roberson. Chicago Bears fans learned of his existence a couple of weeks ago when the CFL standout met with the team for a workout. Roberson was coveted by several NFL franchises. Ten of whom, including the Bears, ended up making contract offers.
Chicago ended up getting their guy thanks to $300,000 in guaranteed money according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. However, that might not have been the only reason Roberson went there. He's a native of Indianapolis who went to Illinois State in college. So it's familiar territory. Then there is one other factor. The cornerback might see Chicago as a chance to show a former team he's got the goods to play in this league.
Some players balk at the idea of taking a career detour to Canada, but Roberson embraced the opportunity. He believed he belonged in the NFL from the start of his season out of football, when he spent long days — and nights — driving delivery trucks.
“I was good enough to be in Minnesota,” Roberson said. “I was good enough to make that 53-man roster. I just had to go prove I was worthy of a roster spot.”
Tre Roberson hasn't forgotten his Vikings experience
Here's the thing. Roberson signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He did enough to make their practice squad that year. However, the next year he was among the final cuts and not even good enough to make the practice squad again, being cast aside in favor of Horace Richardson who has become a journeyman yet to play a single NFL snap. Roberson took that chance to head for Canada where he became a sensation with 10 interceptions in two years and a Grey Cup title.
Now he's back and playing for one of the Vikings' biggest rivals. It's rather poetic in a way. What better way to remind a team of your existence than by making plays to beat them on Sunday? Roberson will have a chance to compete for extended playing time in 2020. The status of veteran corner Prince Amukamara is up in the air and that boundary starting position could be up for grabs. No doubt Roberson isn't just content with making the roster.
His goal is to play in the NFL.
