Skip to main content
Bear Digest

Daniel Hardy Botched an Onside Kick and Still Became Most Wanted Special Teamer in the NFL

Richard Hightower says Daniel Hardy is coveted around the NFL, and the Bears may need his special teams value and edge depth more than ever now in 2026.
Gene Chamberlain|
Edge player Daniel Hardy makes a tackle against Buffalo in preseason play.
Edge player Daniel Hardy makes a tackle against Buffalo in preseason play. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

In this story:

Chicago Bears

While OTAs are probably too early to gauge roster battles, players who are at the bottom of the 53-man list normally need to worry about competing for their job year-round.

In the case of Chicago Bears edge rusher Daniel Hardy, he should have a bit of a freebie this year in the hunt for a regular-season roster spot. Not only has he already received a two-year deal from the team, but his praises are constantly being sung by coaches.

Hardy doesn't play a lot of defense. However, according to special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, Hardy is valued not only by the Bears but also by coaches around the league for his special teams abilities. When that happens, players have job security even if they fail to survive the 53-man cut. Some other team will be swooping right in immediately.

"I saw a dynamic playmaker, aggressive force to be reckoned with," Hightower said. "It's crazy because you go to these combines and all that stuff. Like, the first person they talk about is Hardy.

"Like, the other special teams coordinators: 'Damn, we gotta get us a 92.' 'Damn, we gotta give us a 92.' Just happy about his progress."

Hardy not only led the Bears in special teams tackles but he put up astronomical numbers last year. A special teams tackles total in double figures is uncommon, and Hardy made 19 of them in the regular season. He was a Pro Bowl alternate for a special teams spot.

Hardy’s play on special teams last season was so effective that he all but erased memory of his major snafu. Against Cincinnati, he botched an onside kick recovery and gave the Bengals a chance to go downfield for a lead prior to the miracle winning touchdown catch by Colston Loveland.

Hardy did get to make his first career start last year in Week 3 against Dallas, but his sole responsibility remains special teams.

"But much like our other guys, he's not satisfied," Hightower said. "He said the other day, we're just getting started. The work's just getting started.

"So, obviously, his teammates were proud of him for being a Pro Bowl alternate and being selected in his game, growing and coming from a place where nobody in the league wanted him and he couldn't play. Then now he's regarded by his peers as one of the better special players in the NFL. And he's not satisfied and that's what I like about him."

Hardy, a 2022 seventh-round pick by the Rams, fought his way up from the Bears practice squad. He commands respect from teammates resulting his persistence and special teams play.

"So, obviously, his teammates were proud of him for being a Pro Bowl alternate and being selected in his game, growing and coming from a place where nobody in the league wanted him and he couldn't play," Hightower said of the Rams draft pick. "Then now he's regarded by his peers as one of the better special players in the NFL. And he's not satisfied and that's what I like about him."

Hardy's regular defensive position is edge rusher, and it is one of the team's weakest in terms of depth.

Because of his abilities on special teams, perhaps the Bears can count on him to step up his game defensively, as well. If he could contribute even close on defense to the level he has on special teams, the Bears could find they already have the people they need for an effective edge rush rotation.

X: BearsOnSI

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published
Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.