The Chicago Bears usually start to tip their hand on the direction the roster is going by now. The first preseason game is done. A joint practice has concluded. Now the second preseason game is at hand. Coaches have a good idea after weeks of work which players have done enough to justify a roster spot. The next step is giving them opportunities to climb the ladder even further. Whichever names start popping up working with the first-team offense or defense is always a major tell. However, it appears special teams may have dropped the hint this time.
According to Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune, there was an unexpected change in the lineup of the Bears’ kickoff and punt coverage units during the joint practice with the Bengals in Cincinnati.
“It was interesting to see running back Salvon Ahmed with the first unit on both kickoff coverage and return. He doesn’t have a lot of special teams experience in his background, and if he’s going to push Roschon Johnson for a spot, he’ll need to satisfy the coaches that he can be dependable. Maurice Alexander broke off a nice kickoff return as Daniel Hardy created a hole with a nice block.”
This is significant. Remember, the Bears lost special-teams ace Travis Homer to free agency. That left the #3 running back spot uncertain behind D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. Roschon Johnson felt like a safe bet with his special teams experience, but Salvon Ahmed turned several heads in the preseason opener. His speed and hard-nosed running style seemed to intrigue head coach Ben Johnson and his staff. Now they want to see what he offers on special teams.
The Chicago Bears are taking a calculated risk.
Ahmed has been a journeyman in the NFL since arriving as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2020. Since then, he’s bounced between Indianapolis and Denver, spending most of his time with the Miami Dolphins. That is where Bears running backs coach Eric Studdesville worked with him. He was never a consistent contributor during those years, but there were always flashes of potential. In his only four starts as a pro, he had 252 yards rushing, 42 receiving, and two touchdowns.
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Unfortunately, a nasty ankle injury in 2024 from a hip-drop tackle knocked him out for two years. He spent all of 2025 recovering from it. Studdesville likely encouraged the Chicago Bears to give him an opportunity now that the 27-year-old was healthy. Fans got a taste of what he could do in that Browns game last week. Now they need to see if he offers anything on special teams. Ahmed was never much of a standout in the third phase during his years in Miami. If he can show something in that area, it would cement his roster spot even further.
This decision carries added importance.
Don’t forget that Monangai is dealing with a hyperextended knee. He’s considered week-to-week by Coach Johnson, which means his status for opening day in Carolina is questionable. That means the third running back could see playing time alongside Swift. The Bears need to know how much they can trust Ahmed beyond just running or catching the ball. Can he block? Can he play special teams? These are two critical roles for somebody deeper on that depth chart.
Based on the minimal evidence available, Ahmed doesn’t offer much in those departments. That is why his grip on the third spot can’t be considered strong. If he keeps making plays, it may not matter. Teams always prefer keeping guys around who can produce. They can figure out the other stuff later. Make no mistake. His promotion to the first special teams unit is a clear sign the Bears are considering him for that last running back spot.
