Ottawa has plenty to celebrate this NFL off-season, as local product Neville Gallimore has landed a high-profile free agency deal with the storied Chicago Bears.
The 29-year-old defensive tackle — born and raised in Ottawa — inked a two-year contract with the Bears believed to be worth up to $12 million, making him one of the highest-paid Ottawa-born players in the NFL today.
From Ottawa to the NFL
Gallimore's journey to the top tier of professional football is a remarkable one. Originally drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, he spent five seasons in Dallas developing into a reliable interior pass rusher before hitting the open market this off-season.
He's now one of just four Ottawa natives currently on an NFL roster — a rare distinction for a city better known for producing hockey players than football stars. His success is a point of pride for the local football community, including the Ottawa REDBLACKS and the broader CFL pipeline that has long fed Canadian talent into the professional game.
A Bears Team With Super Bowl Ambitions
Gallimore isn't joining a rebuilding project. The Chicago Bears enter 2026 with genuine Super Bowl aspirations, built around a young and talented roster. For Gallimore, it's a chance to compete for a championship ring on one of the NFL's most iconic franchises.
His role as a disruptive interior lineman fits exactly what Chicago's defensive coordinators are looking for — a player who can collapse the pocket, demand double teams, and free up edge rushers to get after the quarterback.
Ottawa's NFL Connection
Ottawa may not be the first city that comes to mind when people think about NFL talent pipelines, but Gallimore's career is part of a quiet tradition of local athletes punching through to the highest level of sport. His signing is a reminder that the capital region produces elite athletes across all codes — not just on the ice.
For Ottawa football fans, following Gallimore in a Bears uniform this coming season gives them a direct rooting interest in the NFL — and with Chicago's roster as constructed, there's a real chance he could be playing meaningful January football.
What's Next
NFL training camps open in late July, and Bears fans will be watching closely to see how Gallimore fits into Chicago's defensive scheme. If he replicates the form that made him a sought-after free agent, he could be a key piece in the Bears' push for postseason glory.
Ottawa fans, keep an eye on that Bears schedule — you've got one of your own in the hunt.
Source: Ottawa Life Magazine
