Nicknamed the 'Vanilla Gorilla,' this three-year Wyoming starter turned an all-conference guard season into an undrafted deal with the Bears.
Caden Barnett is a rookie offensive lineman with the Chicago Bears, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2026 after a three-year starting run at Wyoming that included a move from tackle to guard. At 6-foot-4 and 316 pounds, the Texas native brings a physical, powerful style that earned him a real shot at a roster spot.
Path to the league
Barnett is from Justin, Texas, where he attended Northwest High School before committing to Wyoming. He redshirted in 2021, then started three straight seasons at right tackle before kicking inside to right guard for his final college season. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Bears shortly after.
Career highlights
Barnett started 10 games at right tackle in 2023 and all 12 in 2024 before moving to right guard in 2025, where he earned First-team All-Mountain West honors. Scouts praised his powerful, in-line blocking and physicality in the run game.
2025 season recap
In his final Wyoming season, Barnett started all 12 games at right guard and was named First-team All-Mountain West Conference. That performance helped him land an undrafted free agent deal with Chicago that included $277,500 in guarantees, and he entered Bears rookie minicamp with a real chance to make the 53-man roster.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Caden Barnett
- ESPN: Caden Barnett
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Guard
- Group
- offense
- College
- Wyoming
- Hometown
- Justin, TX, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
