In a stunning twist that could reshape the NFC North race, the Green Bay Packers have swooped in and signed cornerback Shemar Bartholomew to their practice squad—just weeks after the Minnesota Vikings cut him loose. This bold acquisition comes at a critical juncture for the Packers, who are locked in a fierce battle for division supremacy, and it spells potential trouble for the leading Chicago Bears, who may not be ready for the added depth in Green Bay’s secondary.
The Vikings, mired in a disappointing 2025 season, have been plagued by cornerback woes for years. Despite a solid defensive showing in their recent 26-0 drubbing by the Seattle Seahawks—where they managed to contain Sam Darnold’s potent passing game—their secondary remains a weak link. Last month, Minnesota added the promising young Bartholomew to their practice squad, hoping to bolster their depth. But after just two short weeks, they released him, a decision that’s now looking like a costly mistake as he heads to a divisional rival.
Bartholomew, a 6-foot sophomore out of Georgia Southern (where he transferred after starting his college career at Northwestern State from 2018-2022), has been one of the most traveled players in the NFL this year. Undrafted in 2024, he initially caught eyes with the New York Jets, where he dazzled in preseason action, allowing only two catches and zero yards on nine targets. That performance sparked a waiver wire frenzy, with four teams vying for him. The Carolina Panthers won out, and he spent the entire 2024 season there, appearing in five games with a couple of pass deflections, three tackles, and contributions on special teams.
However, his 2025 preseason with Carolina didn’t live up to the hype, leading to another waiver. What followed was a whirlwind of workouts across the league: Houston Texans, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, and San Francisco 49ers. Even the Packers had him in for a tryout in early November but passed at the time. The Vikings finally ended his nomadic journey by signing him to their practice squad—only to release him last week.
Now, Bartholomew crosses the border to Green Bay, where the Packers (8-3-1) are nipping at the heels of the Chicago Bears for the NFC North lead, trailing by just half a win. Green Bay’s cornerback unit has been a point of concern all season, and while Bartholomew isn’t an instant starter, his addition provides much-needed depth and upside. As SB Nation’s Justis Mosqueda noted, few players have logged more miles than Bartholomew in 2025, but his preseason pedigree suggests he could be a hidden gem.
For the Bears, this move couldn’t come at a worse time. Leading the division, Chicago has relied on a balanced attack and opportunistic defense to stay ahead. But facing a Packers team that’s already potent—and now potentially stronger in the secondary—could disrupt their momentum. If injuries strike Green Bay’s corners, Bartholomew might step up, turning into the “new defensive threat” that catches the Bears off guard. The Packers’ secondary has shown vulnerabilities, and this signing could be the spark that helps them close the gap.
Meanwhile, the Vikings are left licking their wounds. Their practice squad corners now consist of Zemaiah Vaughn and Tyrek Funderburk, with Byron Murphy, Isaiah Rodgers, Fabian Moreau, and Dwight McGlothern on the active roster (and Jeff Okudah sidelined on IR). In a season where little has gone right, letting Bartholomew slip away to a rival stings even more—especially with Green Bay set to visit Minnesota in Week 18. An injury or two could see him suiting up against his former team, adding insult to injury.
This shocking divisional shuffle underscores the cutthroat nature of the NFC North. As the Packers gear up for a playoff push, the Bears better brace themselves—Bartholomew’s arrival might just be the edge Green Bay needs to dethrone them. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds in one of the NFL’s most competitive divisions.