Another Undrafted Rookie Is Ascending With Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears' defense played way better against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday than they had any right to. They held Aaron Rodgers and company to 10 points through three quarters. Sadly they didn't have enough talent to hold on forever, as they ran out of gas in the 4th quarter. Still, it was an encouraging effort from a group so short-handed due to injuries. Much of that unexpected success can be credited to the unlikely emergence of another undrafted rookie. Everybody knows about Jack Sanborn at this point. He's quickly morphing into a legitimate starting middle linebacker. Nobody expected the same from Josh Blackwell.

GM Ryan Poles claimed the undrafted free agent off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles after the preseason concluded on August 31st. Blackwell had a long career as a starter for Duke in college. While he had 20 passes defended in that time, he failed to record an interception. That, along with his slender 180 lbs frame, likely led to him going unnoticed in April. Since arriving in Chicago, he has quickly become one of their best special teams players, with six tackles so far this season. Then on Sunday, with injuries piling up, coaches decided to give him the start at nickel corner. He finished the day with five solo tackles and gave Packers receivers fits whenever they lined up against him.

The Chicago Bears should be thrilled with this progress.

Expectations for Blackwell were low when he arrived. The team felt he might make for a solid depth option in the secondary. That they may have gotten a core special teamer, at the very least, out of it is already a big win. If he can build on this early success, then Poles might've scored two potential defensive starters without sacrificing a draft pick or a massive contract. That is how good teams are built. They find talent where other teams might've missed it. Philadelphia giving him up was probably not ideal, but their deep secondary made it inevitable.

The Chicago Bears wisely took advantage. It will be interesting to see how they utilize him moving forward. Kyler Gordon is the usual nickel corner. He's due back from a concussion after the bye week. Maybe Matt Eberflus and his staff will move him outside to replace the struggling Kindle Vildor and put Blackwell at nickel. It's all about finding the best combination possible. Either way, one has to feel encouraged seeing so many young guys step up. It offers hope for the future if nothing else.