There is never a shortage of interesting stories where the Chicago Bears are involved. As the team deals with the fallout of a major COVID-19 outbreak, they’ve been forced to do some roster juggling. That includes adding a new quarterback for emergency depth this week as Andy Dalton became one of the latest virus victims. It is somebody they actually worked out back in September by the name of Ryan Willis.
At the time it was felt the team was doing homework on alternatives as an injury struck Dalton back then. Clearly, Willis made a strong enough impression for them to keep his phone number. Now he joins an NFL team for the first time in his career. No doubt a major victory for a young man who saw his football life threatened by injury setbacks towards the end of his college days at Virginia Tech.
#Bears roster moves:
We have activated NT Eddie Goldman from Reserve/COVID-19, have signed LB Ledarius Mack from the PS to the active roster and have signed QB Ryan Willis to the PS.— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) December 18, 2021
It was a frustrating time to be sure.
After three years of not getting an opportunity at Kansas and then transferring, he finally broke out in 2018 with 2,716 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions. He also added four rushing touchdowns. The 6’4 kid had a decent arm and some athleticism too. Teams were interested to see where things would go in 2019. Then the injuries mounted. A separated left shoulder, a sprained right shoulder joint, and turf toe all hit him around the same time. This forced him out after just five games that year and he never returned. Just like that, NFL interest had evaporated.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Willis had a decision to make. Start seeking a different career or keep working to find a way into the NFL. He chose the latter, signing on with the Linemen in The Spring League. The results were immediate. In six games the 25-year old went 5-1, he threw for 1,680 yards and 13 touchdowns. He won league MVP honors and guided his team to a 26-23 championship victory in the Mega Bowl.
Chicago Bears at least helped the kid accomplish one life goal
Practice squad or not, Willis will be wearing navy blue and orange until further notice. That means he is officially in the NFL. After everything he went through, the guy made it happen. He persevered and was rewarded. Will it go much further than this? Probably not. The Bears already have a fairly stacked QB room headlined by Justin Fields. He is their future. However, this could be an opportunity for Willis on the backup front.
Dalton and Nick Foles could both be out of the picture after this season. If the young QB manages to make a positive impression, perhaps he can work towards becoming Fields’ backup. He has enough talent for that level of the job. It comes down to how much work he puts into the mental side of the game.
One thing is for sure.
He is an easy story to root for. Another of those underdog tails that have a bit of a happy ending. From here it all depends on how far he is able to take it. Willis won’t have much time to get comfortable so he’ll need to hit the ground running.
