The Chicago Bears didn’t go wild in undrafted free agency compared to previous years. There were a few reasons for this. Most experts agree that the talent pool wasn’t as strong this offseason. When the draft is considered weak beyond the 3rd round, you can’t expect the undrafted market to offer many opportunities. Also, the Bears don’t really need a heavy infusion of bodies compared to previous years. GM Ryan Poles has done a solid job building out the depth of this roster. All he needed was to make some moves on the margins.
A few names have already popped up during OTAs and minicamps. Wide receiver Jahdae Walker made a circus catch that turned heads. There is also some excitement around safety Tysheem Johnson. However, neither of them was selected as the most likely name to crack the final roster. Justin Melo of The Draft Network believes that honor will go to Power Echols, the linebacker from North Carolina. Why? He has two main reasons for believing this will be the case. Both are hard to argue with.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles awarded Echols with a fairly hefty contract in undrafted free agency. The former Tar Heels standout signed a deal containing $130,000 in guarantees, according to Spotrac. The money is notable enough to increase his chances of making the team…
…The tape paints a more encouraging story. Echols was a workhorse at UNC, recording 100-plus tackles in 2022 and 2023. As a senior in 2024, Echols totaled 76 tackles and six pass breakups en route to Honorable Mention All-ACC honors.
Echols entered the draft as a productive and experienced prospect with well-developed eyes. His downhill instincts were a little inconsistent, but he showed enough aptness to flow sideline to sideline.
The Chicago Bears do face some uncertainty at linebacker.
Releasing Jack Sanborn left questions about the team’s depth. Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards remain clear starters, but it gets murky after that. Amen Ogbongbemiga and Carl Jones Jr. are mostly special teams guys. Noah Sewell hasn’t done much since being drafted. Ruben Hyppolite was drafted in the 4th round, so he’s worth watching. Still, not a lot to write home about. That gives somebody like Echols a clear window to the main roster. He has the size, toughness, and instincts to make noise. He’ll have to prove it in training camp and the preseason. The key part is the perceived lack of speed. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen values players who move well. Echols will have to show he can work around such problems.
Dude is slow. End of story. Got rid of Sanborn early on as a nice favor to him. Same reason. LB’s now need to be competent in coverage and fast to the point of attack. On the other hand Sewell is a pretty solid athlete and may have a shot but will need to show something.
@Tred I’ve always thought the good organizations ask prospective head coaches on what part of the team can money be saved?
For example, I believe the Cover 2 DC types (Dungy, Lovie, etc) would say they don’t need big money on the back end of the D. But they’ll need some money at 3 tech, DE, 1 LB, and maybe a little at Safety.
Or on Offense in the old days, all you needed was some maulers and Wally.
I don’t think Sewell was given much of a chance to do anything in Flus’ defense. I say give that guy a fair chance and see if he surprises people this year. If he AND Hyppolite work out, the Bears LB Group should be somewhat formidable.
Just my $0.02!!!
OK, here’s a thought you’ll all love – is it possible that we actually have a defensive leader on this team that now thinks two or three years ahead? I’m talking Allen or Johnson…
Maybe they look at Edmunds and Edwards contracts and say… Y’know, were paying these guys pretty good dinero.
I don’t know. It seems very un- Bears like. But wouldn’t it be nice?
Jennifer Eccles!