43 days until Chicago Bears 2017 season kicks off: Freddie Stevenson profile

The Bear Goggles On Countdown to Kickoff series is now underway. With 43 days to go until the Bears season kicks off, we will highlight fullback Freddie Stevenson

2016 Review

Stevenson was a three-year starter at fullback at Florida State. 2016 was his senior season and third as the starter for the Seminoles. Stevenson was mainly a blocker, but his senior year saw his career high in attempts, at 13, rushing yards at 90 and touchdowns, with four. Playing a position in such low demand as fullback almost guaranteed that he was not going to get drafted in 2017. However, he was one of the top fullbacks in college football last season and was a nice snag as an undrafted free agent.

2017 Outlook

Stevenson will enter 2017 in the heat of a training camp battle. When he was drafted, his path to the roster was very easy. Then, the Lions cut Michael Burton. Burton is a talented and experienced fullback. It makes sense that the Bears would be happy to add him into the mix after his release. However, this now provides Stevenson with a lot more pressure, and it looks a lot less likely that he will make the team.

Next: Nick Kwiatkowski Profile

Future with the Bears

If Stevenson is cut, it is hard to make the case to keep him on the practice squad. Only ten players are kept, and that would usually be for a project tackle or a hopeful future pass rusher. These aren’t spots that go to back up fullbacks. Stevenson’s long term future with the Bears will have to start with him making the team this offseason. If he does not, it would not be a surprise to see him catch on somewhere else this season.