logo
Bears former 4th-round pick named 'player to watch' during training camp

Bears former 4th-round pick named 'player to watch' during training camp

Yahoo3 days ago
The Chicago Bears offense is all about what quarterback Caleb Williams can do in his second season, but he is going to need help around him for the Bears offense to be one of the best in the NFL.
One position group on offense that the Bears failed to upgrade this offseason was the running back room, adding only Rutgers' Kyle Monangai in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
One running back that has been with Chicago the last two years is Roschon Johnson, and he has a chance to take over as the lead back. Gene Chamberlain from Bears On SI thinks Johnson is a player to watch during training camp.
"D'Andre Swift's skillset is well known after his 295 touches in the Bears offense last year and Ben Johnson knows him well from being together in Detroit. It's the power back who is a lesser known quantity and entirely necessary in what his coach wants to do," Chamberlain. "Roschon Johnson has barely been used in two seasons--a paltry 136 carries and 50 receptions in two seasons. He pass blocks well and this will be critical. Rookie Kyle Monangai is a player the Bears would like to see deliver but a seventh-rounder is at least as likely to wind up cut and on the practice squad as on the roster, and a position of prominence in the attack is definitely not a given. The only Bears running backs from Round 7 since the seven round draft started in 1993 were Kerrith Whyte Jr. in 2019 and Michael Hicks in 1996. Hicks gained 106 yards in is Bears career while White got cut, put on the practice squad and then pilfered off it by Pittsburgh. He lasted part of a season in the NFL. If a back is that good, why did they go in Round 7, and why were 21 other backs taken before Monangai? It's Johnson to watch at camp, and maybe Monangai is a back to watch in preseason games when the new players at the bottom of the roster get more playing time."
The Bears drafted Johnson in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and should be able to help take control of the offense in his third NFL season.If Johnson could be the No. 1 running back for the Bears, the team could make the playoffs.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Highlights from Day 2 of Bears training camp
Highlights from Day 2 of Bears training camp

Yahoo

time3 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Highlights from Day 2 of Bears training camp

The Chicago Bears were back at Halas Hall for their second practice of training camp, where there were plenty of notable observations and highlights with new head coach Ben Johnson leading the show. It was another sloppy day for the starting offense on Day 2, where there were was some issues that had to be corrected with huddle procedure and getting lined up. On Wednesday, Johnson notably pulled the starting offense during a 7-on-7 drill when they couldn't line up properly. But there were also some standout players, including rookie running back Kyle Monangai, and some updates with position battles. While it was a closed practice, there were media in attendance, who were able to capture some quick highlights from the second workout. In the clips, we get a glimpse of quarterback Caleb Williams connecting with wide receiver DJ Moore, running back drills, Rome Odunze catching passes and receivers coach/assistant coach Antwaan Randle El during drills. Highlights from second practice of Bears training camp Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears training camp: Highlights from Day 2

Nathaniel Hackett returns to Packers as defensive analyst
Nathaniel Hackett returns to Packers as defensive analyst

Yahoo

time3 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Nathaniel Hackett returns to Packers as defensive analyst

Who says you can't go home? Former Broncos head coach and Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is now back on staff with the Packers, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed in his Thursday press conference. Hackett will serve as a defensive analyst for the club, helping give coordinator Jeff Hafley a fresh perspective. It's a similar role to what Robert Saleh played for the offense when he joined the staff last year after being fired as Jets head coach. Luke Getsy also served as a defensive analyst last year after he'd been fired from his role as Raiders offensive coordinator. Getsy is now still on staff as a senior assistant. "He's a guy I really respect and we've had a lot of great times together," LaFleur said Thursday, via Zach Kruse of USA Today. 'It's a fresh perspective. It gives you a little different lens to see it through, talk it through," LaFleur added. "He's sitting in with our defensive staff. He's been in our linebacker room going through the film, giving them a good offensive perspective.' Hackett was the Packers' offensive coordinator under LaFleur from 2019-2021. He was then hired as Broncos head coach in 2022 and was fired after a 51-14 loss to the Rams on Christmas Day with two games remaining in the season. He then served as Jets offensive coordinator in 2023, reuniting with Aaron Rodgers. He lost play-calling duties after Saleh was fired as Jets head coach midway through the 2024 season.

Bears training camp observations: Another sloppy day for the offense on Day 2
Bears training camp observations: Another sloppy day for the offense on Day 2

Yahoo

time3 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Bears training camp observations: Another sloppy day for the offense on Day 2

The Chicago Bears hit the practice field at Halas Hall on Thursday morning for the second practice of training camp undr new head coach Ben Johnson. It was a closed practice, but the media have started to share observations. Wednesday's workout was a rough one for the offense, but it sounds like Thursday's was just as bad, if not worse. Johnson mentioned Tuesday that it's going to be an up-and-down process during training camp, and Thursday certainly sounded like it was a struggle at times. As far as attendance goes, rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III and defensive tackle Shemar Turner were sidelined by injuries while rookie cornerback Zah Frazier was excused from practice for personal reasons, as Johnson noted before practice. Here are some observations, from media members in attendance, following Thursday's training camp practice: Another sloppy day for the offense Kiran Amegadjie gets crack with starting offense, Noah Sewell remains LB3 Rookie Kyle Monangai saw some work with the first-team offense, and he had an impressive run Nashon Wright getting more time with first-team defense in place of Jaylon Johnson 11-on-11 recap Tyson Bagent working at QB2, Ian Wheeler and Kyle Monangai are fast plus more Caleb Williams under center Highlights This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears training camp observations: Sloppy day for offense on Day 2

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store