One thing the Chicago Bears, under this regime, have always noted is that they always give opportunities to players regardless of their background. It doesn’t matter if they’re a pricey free agent, a high draft pick, or an undrafted free agent. If they perform well in practice, they will get opportunities to play. Braxton Jones and Jack Sanborn proved it in 2022. Terell Smith and Tyson Bagent proved it last year. Now Matt Eberflus indicated another name is making an unexpected push for attention. The fact he mentioned it unprompted during his latest presser at training camp says a lot about how strong an impression the guy has made.
“Bill Murray has had a really good camp so far. Just naming one guy but he has done a really nice job. Done a nice job in pass pro. He’s learning it. He’s got the athletic ability to get it done. Never put a ceiling on any player. We’re excited to see him play too.”
Matt Eberflus likely didn’t mention Murray by accident.
The 27-year-old is a fascinating story. He came into the NFL as an undrafted free agent from William & Mary. He was a defensive tackle there, racking up 19 sacks in his college career. However, he couldn’t find a place with the New England Patriots defense. Rather than simply cut him loose, the team opted to see if he could make the switch to offensive guard. While he never made the active roster, he played well enough to survive two years with the team before leaving last August. It appears he hasn’t given up his dream. Murray gave up five pressures in 60 preseason snaps with New England. His best work came as a run blocker, as shown above. If Matt Eberflus is correct, it appears the man has honed his protection techniques. With how uncertain the Bears’ interior offensive line is, this might be Murray’s best shot to make a roster.
It’s also possible that Flus is talking Murray up to set him up for a possible trade. Most observers that I’m aware of suspected that Murray is a practice squad player with an outside (pretty far outside) shot at making the roster. If they want him for the practice squad, best policy is to shut up about him so that no other team poaches him. Why would Flus do the opposite of that? Good question, and one I can’t answer right now. Time will tell, ….
Murray was DL and switched to guard with Pats? Insane that’s he’s more competent than pros who’ve been OL since PeeWees!
Two guys who could be cut soon:
1) Amen who was dominated by back ups and looked lost.
2) Pettis who gave away the ball on a punt (fumble) and may have given away a WR spot on roster!
Good, get rid of lazy Davis.
Davis bad, Murray good; what a coincidence of perfect need and discovery!