It became clear from the outset that new head coach Ben Johnson wasn’t going to be a guy who sat back and let GM Ryan Poles make all the roster decisions. He intends to be fully involved in every step of the scouting process. Like any good coach, he has a specific vision for this team and needs specific types of players to carry it out. No doubt he and Poles have already had conversations about which players in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft they should be paying attention to. An update from the Senior Bowl may have provided an answer.
According to Jordan Sigler of Athlon Sports, Texas Tech offensive lineman Caleb Rogers revealed that Chicago has expressed a great degree of interest in him. What does this have to do with Johnson, you’re probably asking? Rogers has drawn comparisons to longtime NFL veteran Billy Turner. The Miami Dolphins drafted him in 2014, and Johnson was an assistant on their offensive staff at that time. So, the fact that he likes a player who plays a similar type of game makes plenty of sense.
Ben Johnson seems to have a specific type on the O-line.
Rogers immediately jumps out with his mixture of size, power, and mobility. He has the length to ward off pass rushers as a tackle but also the power to drive guys off the ball as a guard or center. He has played all over the line in college, showcasing excellent versatility. Rogers is also highly experienced, starting five seasons for Texas Tech. While most of that came at tackle, most believe he has all the tools to move inside to guard. To top it off, he has a reputation for energy and physicality in his play style.
One can understand why Ben Johnson likes him. Those traits make up many of the Detroit Lions’ offensive line. It is only natural that he’d seek more of the same in Chicago. Johnson’s offense is devastating when it can control the line of scrimmage. The Bears have lots of work to do before reaching that level of play. Adding somebody like Rogers would be a step in the right direction. Expectations are he will go somewhere on day two of the draft. Chicago has three picks in that range.
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It’s going to be interesting, we really don’t know who our offensive line coach is, I think he will have to weigh in on what he sees in a player and whether he can coach him. Be nice to pick up a couple of veteran linemen, I like the center from Atlanta, he probably can be had for 13 a year. Maybe pick up a quality guard not named Smith, resign Pryor and draft 3 or 4 offensive linemen. The Bears still are going to need a DT, RB and TE, possibly a DE. I like the idea of bringing… Read more »
LOL, Billy Turner was a disaster for the Miami Dolphins.
I bet ICE is also at these practices to kidnap the brown players. That and the local elementary schools. Nothing to see here.
Winners and Losers at Senior Bowl so far… TexTech OL Rogers looks good against highly rated DL. If he’s a 5th round pick who wins a roster spot, that’s a good selection. On the other hand, Wyatt Milum has been overpowered, out manuevered and overwhelmed, getting beat easily on 1 on 1s. Not a true Top 40 selection. However, Ersery and Membou have performed well. The strength of attendees looks to be the DL with the exception of Edge LJackson who was manhandled by several OL guys to the ground! His stock will drop bigtime. Meanwhile, DT Nolen, Edges Stewart… Read more »
Rogers is #75, if I’m not mistaken. He’s the lead blocker on that play. He has lined up at guard and center during Senior Bowl practices. His arm length is only 32 3/4, so I’m assuming that is where he will play.