Supporting Bears Cast Looking Stronger
Role players are those on the roster who provide support.
They're not in the lead positions like the big numbers producers, although some can start. Every team has them, winning or losing.
Losing teams frequently tend to have role players but not enough star power. Teams with star power and no role players can be less effective, as well.
Someone has to be the blocking wide receiver on screens or a blocking second or third tight end. The third-down receiver who comes in and blocks or flares out of the backfield is as much part of the NFL as any tradition. There are special teams gunners and any coverage player on special teams for that matter.
The Bears figure to have more role players who stand out this season because they have a few more big names now for them to support in DJ Moore, Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards.
Here are the potential top role players for this season.
1. TE Robert Tonyan Jr.
A former quarterback, Tonyan improved his blocking skills gradually at Green Bay and can help the Bears in this area besides as a pass catcher. He is well known for having good hands, with only two dropped passes in 176 career targets and 137 receptions. What some might not remember is Tonyan played special teams extensively as a rookie and second-year player in Green Bay, nearly half the team's special teams snaps when he was active. So as a second tight end behind Cole Kmet, look for him to have some type of role on return units and blocker in place-kicking situations because of his blocking skills. His 52 catches in 2020 and 53 last year say he can play the lead role at tight end if Kmet isn't available. A solid second tight end in 12- or 13-personnel packages, Tonyan will be a role player personified.
2. RB Travis Homer
The Bears signed him to a two-year deal so they had more in mind than bringing him here and cutting him. Homer has been called one of the league's better gunners as recently as last year. His limited exposure to offense came mostly as a receiver or extra back. In his second season, he showed more skills in this area by averaging almost 10 yards a catch. If he's going to be active to play on special teams, it's safe to expect he'll get some plays as a receiver at some point.
3. WR Equanimeous St. Brown
Although St. Brown matched a career high for receptions last year with 21 while starting 16 games, his chances of even being active for 16 games would appear slim because of their improved pass-catching group. However, St. Brown does something that can make Luke Getsy's offense go. In the passing game, St. Brown had the second-best blocking grade in the NFL last year by Pro Football Focus standards. He had the eighth-best run-blocking grade among NFL wide receivers. His block on Dante Pettis' 51-yard catch-and-run TD against the 49ers in the ran-soaked opener last season made the play work. The Bears sought to get St. Brown signed and under contract quickly in the off-season. It's largely been assumed he'll fade into the background with Chase Claypool, DJ Moore and Tyler Scott added to Justin Fields' pass catchers. This might be a bit presumptuous considering the dirty work St. Brown has been willing to do and do well.
4. OLB Jack Sanborn
Sanborn is the strongside linebacker now and not the middle linebacker. As such, he's probably not going to be on the field most of the time. Last year the Bears actually started out in their base package in games more than in nickel, but they'd prefer to be in nickel. So Sanborn could get more starts than most strongside linebackers would get in a system like this. It depends on matchups. Either way, he's not going to play the majority of defensive snaps and one way he makes up for it is on special teams. He was in on five special teams tackles last year, fifth-most on the team, and recovered a special teams fumble. Strongside linebackers get less attention than the other two positions but Sanborn, as an undrafted free agent, is used to not being noticed and doing the dirty work.
5. LB Dylan Cole
As backup linebacker at several positions, Cole will be in a supporting role and will also be key on special teams. He could emerge their best special teams tackler considering he has been in on 43 special teams tackles in his career for Houston and Tennessee, by far more than anyone now on the roster. He had started only once in his career until getting eight starts last year. It's back to the bench now and making special teams stops.
6. FB Khari Blasingame
There is no more well defined role player than a full back, because many teams don't even carry one. The Bears do and he got on the field offensively for just 174 snaps, 18% of the plays when he was available. They use Blasingame as a pass blocker and run blocker and he had no carries or receptions last year. As a run blocker, his 63.7 PFF grade was better than that of 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (57.4) and Miami's Alec Ingold (57.5). Blasingame had four special teams tackles last year and plays a part there, as well.
7. CB Josh Blackwell
Besides being the emergency slot cornerback and an extra defender in pass coverage, Blackwell emerged last year with a title many wouldn't have expected and that's leading Bears special teams tackler. Perhaps it's the reason DeAndre Houston-Carson wasn't signed back. Blackwell made eight tackles and also three assists. In addition, he had a forced fumble and recovery. As a cornerback who can also play outside if necessary, and even a possible punt returner, Blackwell is a jack-of-all-trades who fits well as a role player in thebackground.
8. TE Stephen Carlson
One of the later Bears off-season signings was the former Browns backup tight end, whose career was derailed by a 2021 ACL tear. He has played in 25 games, started seven and definitely knows what special teams are all about. He was on the field for 449 special teams plays in his two seasons. One of his career highlights was a blocked extra point against Dallas that he picked up and returned all the way for a two-point defensive conversion. With his camp competition currently undrafted rookies Jake Tonges and Chase Allen. Neither of those two caught a pass last year and were with the organization, either on the roster or practice squad, all last year. Carlson could be the third tight end that Trenton Wesco was last year except with more receiving value.
9. WR Tyler Scott
He's only a rookie and a receiver in a crowded position room but Scott campe to Halas Hall with a resume that included playing gunner on punts and being very physical for a 177-pound guy. He's well positioned to get playing time because of special teams skill and a gritty attitude.
10. RB Roschon Johnson
At least initially, Johnson won't be getting as much time with the first team on offense. The Bears anticipate his help in special teams coverage and on the return teams as a blocker. As a coverage man at Texas last year he excelled. Ultimately Johnson's running, receiving and pass blocking skills could lead him to start but until they do the Bears have a talented and willing role player.
Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven
