The Chicago Bears didn't go wild in undrafted free agency compared to previous years. There were a few reasons for this. Most experts agree that the talent pool wasn't as strong this offseason. When the draft is considered weak beyond the 3rd round, you can't expect the undrafted market to offer many opportunities. Also, the Bears don't really need a heavy infusion of bodies compared to previous years. GM Ryan Poles has done a solid job building out the depth of this roster. All he needed was to make some moves on the margins.
A few names have already popped up during OTAs and minicamps. Wide receiver Jahdae Walker made a circus catch that turned heads. There is also some excitement around safety Tysheem Johnson. However, neither of them was selected as the most likely name to crack the final roster. Justin Melo of The Draft Network believes that honor will go to Power Echols, the linebacker from North Carolina. Why? He has two main reasons for believing this will be the case. Both are hard to argue with.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles awarded Echols with a fairly hefty contract in undrafted free agency. The former Tar Heels standout signed a deal containing $130,000 in guarantees, according to Spotrac. The money is notable enough to increase his chances of making the team...
...The tape paints a more encouraging story. Echols was a workhorse at UNC, recording 100-plus tackles in 2022 and 2023. As a senior in 2024, Echols totaled 76 tackles and six pass breakups en route to Honorable Mention All-ACC honors.
Echols entered the draft as a productive and experienced prospect with well-developed eyes. His downhill instincts were a little inconsistent, but he showed enough aptness to flow sideline to sideline.
The Chicago Bears do face some uncertainty at linebacker.
Releasing Jack Sanborn left questions about the team's depth. Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards remain clear starters, but it gets murky after that. Amen Ogbongbemiga and Carl Jones Jr. are mostly special teams guys. Noah Sewell hasn't done much since being drafted. Ruben Hyppolite was drafted in the 4th round, so he's worth watching. Still, not a lot to write home about. That gives somebody like Echols a clear window to the main roster. He has the size, toughness, and instincts to make noise. He'll have to prove it in training camp and the preseason. The key part is the perceived lack of speed. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen values players who move well. Echols will have to show he can work around such problems.
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