The Chicago Bears 2021 draft class has gotten plenty of work so far this season. Justin Fields started a number of games at quarterback. Larry Borom is now their right tackle. Khalil Herbert has emerged as their primary backup running back. The contributions have been impressive despite a frustrating season for the team. Now it appears another member, 2nd round pick Teven Jenkins, will get more action in the coming weeks.
He might not be alone. Only two remaining names have yet to log a single snap on the active roster since the regular season began. Wide receiver Dazz Newsome and cornerback Thomas Graham Jr., both 6th round picks, have spent all year on the practice squad. Somewhat unusual considering the issues the Bears have had at both positions. Why not give the rookies a look? Well, it appears Matt Nagy and the coaches might be ready to do just that according to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic.
The Bears’ practice squad protections for Week 14 include rookies Dazz Newsome and Thomas Graham Jr. I believe it’s the first time for the draft picks to get protected, possibly putting them in position to get flexed to the roster if the depth is needed.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) December 7, 2021
This at least adds some intrigue to a game nobody is looking forward to.
Everybody knows the Bears are going into Green Bay. The Packers are cruising as usual, fighting for that #1 seed in the playoffs. Chicago is more banged up than they were in the previous meeting. A game they lost by double digits. While it is never wise to declare the outcome of a game certain, it isn’t hard to guess how this one will go. So if winning isn’t a reason for fans to watch, then what is?
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Evaluating the rookies ranks atop that list. It is hoped Fields will return from his rib injury. Maybe Jenkins gets more work on the offensive line. The real intrigue though would be seeing Newsome get some snaps in the passing game while Graham helps out an undermanned secondary. Both rookies were touted as minor steals when they were drafted. The Bears are 4-8. Give them looks.
Chicago Bears need to know what they have
With the playoffs out of reach, the focus must shift to roster evaluation. There is a good chance this team is going to look incredibly different in 2022. No fewer than 25 players will see their contracts expire in March. All of them are not coming back. What the team needs to find out is whether their rookie class has something to offer as potential starters or primary backups moving forward.
This is especially true for Newsome and Graham. Allen Robinson, Marquise Goodwin, and Damiere Byrd are all pending free agents. That could leave Darnell Mooney as the Chicago Bears’ only viable target for Fields. Unless Newsome gets into the action and shows promise. As for Graham, the situation at cornerback outside of Jaylon Johnson is suboptimal.
A premium opportunity to make a play for a bigger role.
Five games should offer a reasonable period for them to make an impression, one way or another. This presumes their likely callup isn’t just a one-week deal. Given this coaching staff, it is difficult to find logic in their reasoning sometimes. Still, this may offer fans a little something to watch beyond the scoreboard on Sunday.