The next phase of Organized Team Activities has begun. Training camp is less than two months away. The Chicago Bears have started the process of preparing their reconfigured roster for a new season. One thing is clear. Head coach Matt Eberflus is focused on improving. Nobody enjoyed the 3-14 record the team had last year. While he accepted it was part of getting things pointed in the right direction, the goal is to start winning football games more than ever. That means one thing.
Putting the best players on the field. Plenty of coaches say they’re going to embrace competition across the roster. Then when the rubber meets the road, they stick with players with bigger names or bigger contracts. Eberflus doesn’t seem intent on that. He made that clear during rookie minicamps with a statement plenty of people missed.
“We believe in all those guys that are currently on our roster, or they wouldn’t be here. So those guys are all gonna compete. And obviously, we believe in the guys we drafted. So when you start to increase your talent on your roster, the competition gets better and gets more. And I think it’s a healthy thing, you know? The NFL is all about competition. It’s all about, ‘Hey, we’re trying to get these spots. And you have to compete for that spot.’”
He is a man of his word too. The Bears started three rookies last season, including a 5th round pick and an undrafted free agent. They are not above handing the job to those who earn it.
Matt Eberflus maintains a pragmatic approach.
It goes all the way back to George Halas. The best players will play. Simple as that. The Bears added ten draft picks this off-season. All of them don’t have the same paths to a starter job. Some face stiffer competition than others. Even so, the window is open. All they have to do is get through it. Right now, it looks like two rookies are lined up for starting spots: Darnell Wright at right tackle and Tyrique Stevenson at cornerback. Others with reasonable chances are Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens at defensive tackle, Roschon Johnson at running back, and Noah Sewell at outside linebacker.
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If last year proved anything, it’s to expect the unexpected once training camp starts. Surprise names could climb up the depth chart out of nowhere. Matt Eberflus wants to foster that sort of environment. So does Ryan Poles. It shouldn’t be a surprise. Both men never got to fulfill their NFL dreams coming out of college. They would’ve loved to have gotten the same opportunities. It makes sense they’d put everybody on equal footing and let the cream rise to the top.
Bears started more than 3 Rookies last year. Off the top of my head there’s Braxton Jones, Kyler Gorder, Jaquan Brisker, Ryan Sandborn, then their were others sprinkled in late in the season due to injuries.
The Bears actually played the most Rookies than any other team last year with a total of 12 or 13 actually getting game snaps in total.
U constantly dropping content bro! I’m here daily because of it. You keep us informed all year around. Appreciate you! Bear down Chicago bears 🐻
Erik another reader who appreciates your daily articles. Keep them coming please.
Good article Erik!