It is always important to remember that the success of a football team isn’t limited to the stars. Yes, guys like D.J. Moore, Jaylon Johnson, Montez Sweat, Tremaine Edmunds, and others must continue to play well. Young draft choices like Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Gervon Dexter, and Darnell Wright must ascend. However, one must never overlook the possibility of a depth player rising out of the scrum to become an unexpected contributor. It has happened many times throughout Bears history. Matt Eberflus and his coaching staff hope to see it again this year.
There are plenty of young names across the roster who deserve attention. One in particular continues to have the team excited. Former scout Greg Gabriel of Windy City Gridiron mentioned this in a recent column.
One other player who has a strong chance of making the club is second-year player Quindell Johnson. Johnson was a UDFA a year ago who originally signed with the Rams. The Bears had liked Johnson during the draft process but were unable to sign him post-draft. When he got cut at the final cutdown last summer, the Bears claimed him on waivers. He played in nine games, most as a special teamer. He has the size and athleticism the Bears prefer at the position, so he will get a good look during camp.
Johnson was a waiver wire pickup last season from the Los Angeles Rams. He didn’t play a ton of snaps for the Bears, but he still managed to make an impact. He had an interception against Kansas City and made a special teams tackle against New Orleans. Not bad for somebody who logged less than 150 total snaps on a team he didn’t even start the off-season with.
Matt Eberflus likely sees long-term potential with Johnson.
One thing about the Bears head coach is that he prefers defensive backs with versatility. He wants them to be able to play coverage without sacrificing their ability to tackle. It was one of the reasons the team felt compelled to move on from Eddie Jackson. Veteran Kevin Byard fills that role much better. The problem is that he turns 31 in August. There is no telling how much gas he has left in the tank. Chicago would be wise to develop some younger safeties to potentially replace him after this year.
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Johnson fits the physical profile Matt Eberflus seeks. He had 105 tackles as a safety in 2021 at Memphis. Then, in 2022, he snagged four interceptions. He’s demonstrated the ability to play both styles of football. The big question for him is learning how to process things at high speed. That will require mastering the Bears’ defensive scheme while also getting an actual opportunity to compete for the job. Byard’s presence makes that impossible this season. Even so, he is a name to watch come August.
Now, he really could be a potential steal–a nice pick-up that I would have also done at the time. I hope he makes the team.