Other NFL Teams Think Chicago Bears Have A Future Pro Bowler

It is so easy to forget that building a winning team in the NFL requires good players in all three phases. It's not only offense and defense. History shows good special teams can often be the difference between a Lombardi trophy and heartbreak. That is why every roster move can be crucial to the organization's overall success. Nobody thought much of anything when the Chicago Bears claimed rookie cornerback Josh Blackwell off waivers. They felt it was merely GM Ryan Poles churning the bottom of the roster and looking for depth.

Other NFL teams don't seem too happy about it. According to special teams coordinator Richard Hightower during his weekly presser, other coordinators have complained to him about how good Blackwell has been and how they failed to recognize the Duke product's capability first. Indeed the rookie has made an impact from the moment he stepped on the field as a gunner. Blocking him is a nightmare. It's been so good that Hightower and others can see big things in his future.

The Chicago Bears 2022 undrafted class is quite exciting.

Blackwell's emergence on special teams isn't the only good story happening. Jack Sanborn is the star of the group, emerging as a legitimate middle linebacker on defense. His play in recent weeks showed somebody that could play in the league for a long time. Then there is another rookie cornerback, Jaylon Jones. He's stepped up as injuries hit the position and looked surprisingly competent. QBs have targeted him 35 times this season for a pedestrian 92.3 passer rating and no touchdowns. He also has a forced fumble to his name, like Blackwell.

To see three rookie steps up like that despite not getting drafted is a good sign for the Chicago Bears. It means they have people in charge that can identify talent in less obvious places. That is what good teams must do if they want to build a winner. This process will continue in 2023. Poles intends to build this roster with homegrown talent. So he will likely stay aggressive on the college circuit, looking for more players like Blackwell. Perhaps he will carve out a role as the next Sherrick McManis.