The Chicago Bears defense was handicapped before the 2020 season had even begun. Eddie Goldman, their star nose tackle, opted out of playing this year due to concerns about the COVID-19 virus. Suddenly the Bears run defense went from one of the best in the NFL to middle of the road just like that. This forced them to be creative in how they found solutions. For a time they settled on former backup John Jenkins mixed in with others. However, when he got hurt towards the end of December, the team had to act. They went out and signed Daniel McCullers.
This guy is an interesting story. Drafted in the 6th round back in 2014 out of Tennessee, he immediately stood out for his sheer size. Recent updates say he is 6’7 and 352 lbs. Just a giant of a human being. Exactly the sort of size typical nose tackles in the NFL should be. So it’s little wonder the Bears plucked him from the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.
The obvious question still remained though. Can he play?
Pittsburgh played hokey pokey with McCullers for most of his run there. He appeared in 74 games but only started three. During that time he bounced between the main roster and the practice squad a couple of times. So it feels like the Steelers never felt like he tapped into his full potential enough to make him a regular starter or rotational guy.
That didn’t seem to discourage the Bears. They saw enough in him to bring him over. After an acclimation period, he suited up for the first time last Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. He logged 20 snaps in the game, making four tackles. His efforts helped the defense hold rushing champion, Derrick Henry, to just 68 yards on 21 carries. One of his worst games of the year.
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Defensive line coach Jay Rodgers came away plenty impressed with the big nose tackle.
“He’s a hard guy to move. He sits in there, plays with his hands and feet. Those centers are trying to move him. They can’t move him. And then what happens, the residual effect, which is similar to other noses that we’ve had play those positions, is when you’re in your gap responsibility and dominating, people around you have production. He was able to get some production on his own as well. That play he made on the left-hand side, on a stretch play, was a dynamic play by him. This was his first opportunity, took advantage of that opportunity. Can’t wait to see what he does next time.”
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Daniel McCullers may have a future in Chicago
Remember that Rodgers is probably one of the best defensive line coaches in the NFL. He routinely shows an ability to get the most out of the players he has. Just see the work he did with Nicholas Williams last year and now Mario Edwards Jr. this year. When somebody like him says he’s excited to see what a player does next? That is pretty significant.
The Bears certainly have no intention of letting him slip away. Ahead of their Monday night game against Minnesota, they protected two players on their practice squad. One being Tyler Bray and the other being McCullers. It’s clear they intend to get a better look at him moving forward. The guy is just 28-years old without a lot of wear and tear on the body typical for his age in the NFL.
It’s possible this strong first impression could lead to more opportunities in the weeks to come. Especially with the array of good running backs they’ll have to face. Credit the Bears for their continued ability to find defensive line talent in small places. Daniel McCullers is the latest in a long line.