GM Ryan Pace gets his fair share of criticisms. A lot of his mistakes have held this team back from true contention the past few years. That said, nobody can argue one point. When it comes to identifying quality undrafted free agents? He is easily the best this organization has had in the last 30 years. Just look at his array of success stories with the Chicago Bears since 2015.
Bryce Callahan, Cameron Meredith, Roy Robertson-Harris, Sam Mustipher, and Alex Bars. All went on to make significant contributions to the team. If this were a normal year, people would be talking about the Bears’ 2021 undrafted class. Several names they signed back in late April have made significant impressions over the past month. Enough to indicate they have something to offer this team.
Yet because of Justin Fields mania, people aren’t talking about it. So here is a rundown of the players who have stood out and what they might bring moving forward.
Chicago Bears have something brewing with 2021 UDFA class
Caleb Johnson (ILB, Houston Baptist) – 7 tackles, 2 FR, 1 pass defense
This is easily the biggest surprise of the summer for Chicago. Think about this. Houston Baptist didn’t have a football team until 2013. The university was founded in 1960. So it is still brand new. In that time, none of their players managed to make an NFL roster. That is until Johnson arrived. He is the first to break through. While the story alone is great, it turns out the player might be pretty good too. He’s had strong practices in camp and has easily been the rookie defender who has stood out the most this preseason. The guy is constantly around the football, playing with energy, aggression, and intelligence.
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Charles Snowden (OLB, Virginia Tech) – 4 tackles, 1 sack
It’s always nice to see the biggest name in an undrafted group actually live up to the billing. Many were surprised that Snowden wasn’t drafted. Most had him pegged as a solid mid round pick. An ill-timed injury likely led to that. He’s healthy now and has looked the part. The long and athletic pass rusher has gotten near the quarterback often this preseason, showing his tantalizing array of natural skills. There is work to do. Snowden needs to add more power and work on his hand-fighting technique. Still, he is better than a normal undrafted rookie should be.
Sam Kamara (OLB, Stony Brook) – 1 tackle, 1 sack
It’s always easy to tell how much a player wants it by what he puts himself through to play the game. Think about this. Kamara didn’t get to play last year because COVID-19 canceled his season. He battled his way onto the Chicago Bears’ roster and then did something a bit crazy. He agreed to shift from his original position at defensive tackle…to outside linebacker. That is not the usual switch people see. That hasn’t stopped him though. He has a sack and multiple big pressures so far this preseason. His quickness, natural leverage, and surprising strength allow him to create push. Given more time to reshape his body? He could be better than people expect.
Daniel Archibong (DE, Temple) – 3 tackles, 1 sack
Say this for Pace. The guy just has a knack for spotting good defensive linemen. Archibong wasn’t much to look at through four years at Temple. Then he seemed to flash something in 2020 with two sacks and three tackles for a loss in seven games. That along with his impressive size was enough to earn him a deal in Chicago. Now he has a sack and a number of additional pressures. He won’t make the roster this year. The Bears have way too much depth. However, he looks like a perfect guy they will stash on the practice squad where he can develop for later.
Brian Johnson (K, Virginia Tech) – 2-for-2 on FGs from 44 and 54
Did Pace suddenly get on a kicker heater? After being unable to find one to save his life, the Bears GM may have struck back-to-back. He nailed the Cairo Santos signing last year. Now it appears he uncovered another quality leg in Johnson. The kid reportedly looked sharp throughout camp and is currently perfect in the preseason on two long field goals. It will be interesting to see what happens with him. If he finishes strong in the finale against Tennessee, the Bears may see if they can trade him to a kicker-needy team. Signing an undrafted player only to get a draft pick in return a few months later? That would be wild.
