93 days until Chicago Bears 2017 season kicks off: Sam Acho profile
The Bear Goggles On Countdown to Kickoff series is now underway for the second season in a row. With 93 days to go until the Bears season kicks off, we will highlight the Bears player that is wearing number 93, edge rusher, Sam Acho
2016 Review
Leonard Floyd missed some time last season and Lamarr Houston and Pernell McPhee were hurt most of the season so Sam Acho did get to see chances to play. He got the majority of his playing time between weeks two and seven but in the end registered nearly 500 snaps. However, he did not make a huge impact in his playing time, putting up one sack to go with 27 tackles. He did put in 264 special teams snaps, and was not a bad special teams asset, so late into the offseason the Bears decided to bring back Acho.
He spent his 2015 season in Chicago as well as a rotational player. Acho spent the first four years of his career in Arizona and made 32 starts, putting up a seven-sack season in his rookie year back in 2011.
2017 Outlook
Acho is going to have to scratch and claw to make the 53-man roster. He has a position with a lot of depth, but enough question marks that he could squeeze himself on the roster. When looking at the Bears depth chart Willie Young and Leonard Floyd will be there. Barring a major injury, Pernell McPhee will be there. Lamarr Houston, Sam Acho, and Dan Skuta will all be in competition for jobs four through six on the depth chart, and the Bears will likely only keep five of them.
His special team’s value helps, and the injury risk and price tag to Lamarr Houston help his chances as well. However, he will have to show up every day with the idea that his job is on the line, and if he does make the roster, he will be close to the 53rd player on the list.
Future with the Bears
Just like his week by week job in 2017, his status in Chicago will go year by year. If he can make the team for a third straight year and continue to bring special teams and depth at the pass rusher position he may stick around for another year or two. Still, he is 28 now, and as the Bears look at the position they likely will still draft and look to upgrade at every spot. How long Acho hangs on with the Bears is a question that only time will tell, and we will find out as we count down the days to the 2017 Chicago Bears season.