John Franklin III is back with the Chicago Bears. Franklin spent the offseason with the organization but was let go before the start of the season. After Chicago added Tyler Bray off the practice squad ahead of their Thanksgiving Day win over the Detroit Lions the team needed to fill the final spot on the practice squad. The Bears announced on Saturday that Franklin had been added to the practice squad.

Franklin was added to Chicago's practice squad in late September and released less than 24 hours later.

After going undrafted out of Florida Atlantic, Franklin received a tryout opportunity with the Seattle Seahawks earlier this offseason. He made the move from wide receiver to defensive back that weekend, but the Seahawks opted not to sign him to a contract. Fast forward a week later and another opportunity was available with the Bears. He did enough during the team's three-day rookie minicamp to impress the coaching staff and signed a rookie contract with the organization.

A highly regarded prospect coming out of high school, he committed to Florida State in 2013. He was a redshirt freshman when the team won the BCS National Championship Game and he later transferred to East Mississippi Community College. It was there that Franklin became more of a household name. During his time at the school, Franklin was one of a handful of players featured on the Netflix reality show "Last Chance U". After his time in the JUCO ranks, Franklin enrolled at Auburn in January 2016.

During the 2016 season at Auburn as a quarterback, Franklin appeared in 12 games, running the ball for 430 yards on 46 attempts with two touchdowns. He also completed 14 of his 26 passing attempts for 204 yards with one touchdown and a quarterback rating of 132.4. After graduating from Auburn he transferred to Florida Atlantic to play for Lane Kiffin as a graduate transfer, meaning he did not have to sit out a season.

In his lone season at FAU, he made the move from quarterback to wide receiver. He caught a total of seven passes for 95 yards and scored one touchdown. He also ran the ball 16 times for 229 yards with two touchdowns. He attempted two passes, completing one for 49 yards. At FAU's Pro Day he ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash after a video surfaced earlier this offseason suggesting he ran a 4.19-second 40-yard dash.

Franklin spent all of training camp and the preseason with the Bears at his new position of cornerback. He saw action in three of the team's five preseason games, finishing with three tackles and two pass deflections. It was obvious during his time with the team he has talent but still has a long way to go with his development on the field.

Franklin is still a developmental player but someone who could provide value as a return man. The Bears saw veteran running back/returner Benny Cunningham go down with an injury against the Lions and the team has struggled to find consistency on kick returns. For now, he will be able to learn and develop under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and defensive backs coach Ed Donatell while on the practice squad.