Sometimes, the arrival of a new coaching staff is all some players need to start realizing their potential. It was beyond evident that Matt Eberflus was unequal to the task of getting the most from the young players the Chicago Bears were accumulating. Most who didn’t emerge right away were written off as lost causes, not necessarily because they lacked the talent but because their window to develop properly had closed. Players who fail to ascend within the first three seasons almost never figure it out later.
However, there might be an exception happening at training camp this year. You’d be forgiven if you forgot the name Noah Sewell. The former Oregon linebacker was an intriguing 5th round addition in 2021, displaying skills that made him a tough, downhill player who would’ve fit a 3-4 system well. Those plans were ruined when Eberflus brought his 4-3 system to Chicago. Sewell managed to survive on the roster thanks to special teams work, but he never sniffed the field on defense. According to Adam Hoge of CHGO, that is changing under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
“I think these last couple of weeks is probably the best we’ve ever seen him look and play. Instinctually, speed-wise, all of those things in a Bears uniform since they drafted him.”
Sewell is a great fit for this new Chicago Bears defense.
His greatest strength in college was attacking the line of scrimmage, both as a run defender and blitzer. Allen is notorious for being one of the most aggressive defensive play callers in the NFL. It is only natural he’d gravitate to a linebacker who fits what he wants to do. Sewell had 7.5 sacks and 21 tackles for a loss in three seasons for the Ducks. He boasts a 6’3 frame at 250 lbs. His build is tailor-made for Allen’s scheme. He will likely fill the role that guys like A.J. Klein, Demario Davis, and Kwon Alexander had in New Orleans. While he may not be on the field as frequently as Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, plenty of packages will be meant to utilize his abilities. It would be such a cool story if Sewell parlayed this opportunity into a successful season.
