Why did Squirrel White retire? Bears UDFA ends NFL career after 16 days
The Chicago Bears signed UDFA wide receiver Squirrel White on April 25. On May 11, he announced his retirement. Here's what we know.
Squirrel White 's NFL career ended before it really began. The Chicago Bears placed White on its reserve/retired list on May 11. The transaction, which abruptly ends White's pro career, comes 16 days after the Bears signed the Florida State wide receiver as an undrafted free agent.
The reason for White's retirement is not clear as of the time of writing: the evening of May 11. ESPN Bears writer Courtney Cronin reported that she saw White leaving the Bears' practice field during rookie minicamp on May 9. Cronin wrote on the social media website X that the rookie receiver left with a trainer while the team was still doing stretches and did not return to practice later.
NFL NEWS, TAKES, FANTASY ADVICE: USA TODAY Sports has you covered with our NFL vodcast White began his collegiate football career at Tennessee in 2022. He played in 38 games during his time on Rocky Top, catching 131 passes for 1,665 yards and six touchdowns. White transferred to Florida State ahead of the 2025 season and played in 10 games for the Seminoles.
In his lone season in Tallahassee, White caught five passes for 52 yards. Why did Squirrel White retire? As of the time of writing, it is unclear why White retired so abruptly from the NFL.