The Chicago Bears defense has actually had a lot of success in the past when it comes to finding talent north of the border. Israel Idonije became a quality defensive end for them in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Then they got Akiem Hicks who played his college ball up there as well. So it’s clear the Bears just seem to have a knack for finding solid defenders up in Canada. By the look of things Friday night in New York, their good fortune has continued.
Not a single person recalled the name James Vaughters beyond the day the Bears signed him as a free agent back in January. Since then he’s been relegated to the deepest crevices to the depth chart. Many people didn’t even know he was on the roster. That changed with one play in MetLife Stadium when Vaughters bounced off a block and knifed into the backfield to slap the ball out of Daniel Jones’ hands, recovering the fumble in the process.
It was a heady football play that immediately drew the enthusiasm of Khalil Mack. That wasn’t all though. Vaughters had two more big pressures in the game. One forced an interception by cornerback Clifton Duck and the other almost forced a second. He was in the Giants backfield a lot. A welcome sign given the host of questions the Bears have at outside linebacker.
James Vaughters could be nice depth for Chicago Bears defense
Vaughters is a fascinating story. He was a quality edge defender at college for Stanford, finishing with 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss as a senior. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015 by the Green Bay Packers but narrowly missed the final cuts. After bouncing between Calgary and the San Diego Chargers in 2016, he made the permanent move to the CFL in 2017 where he spent the next two season, collecting 11 sacks in that time.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
The Bears saw enough to sign him to a futures contract. After being invisible most of training camp, he picked a great time to have the best game of his NFL career. Chicago is looking for answer at outside linebacker. Kylie Fitts hasn’t stepped up. Nor have undrafted free agents Mathieu Betts and Chuck Harris. Vaughters has versatility and playmaking skill. Not to mention some special teams experience.
They may have something in that young man.
