Chicago Bears Offseason Stay or Go: Ryan Nall

For a UDFA in 2018, Ryan Nall making it all the way through the 2021 season with one team is rather impressive. He hardly saw the field and was up and down from the practice squad, but the odds are that most UDFAs flame out after their first training camp.

While Nall is not a game-breaker, he is still potential depth on a roster that needs it. However, he enters this offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Should the Chicago Bears bring back Ryan Nall?

Chicago Bears should keep Ryan Nall

When you look at the Chicago bears depth chart you realize that they would be better off to keep Ryan Nall. They have no depth at the position as they currently stand. Khalil Herbert will obviously spell David Montgomery and he has kick-off return duties to his name as well.

This means that they would like to have depth as a third back, but do not need him to return kicks. Ryan Nall makes the roster because he is a gunner, and core special teamer even without the return capabilities. No overly talented player will sign to be number three in Chicago, and the special teams’ ability gets a lot of bang for your buck on an already cheap salary. Ryan Nall will soon be the Sherrick McManis player who stays through many regimes because it is better to have him than not.

Chicago Bears should let Ryan Nall walk

A rookie UDFA is cheaper, younger, and will be cost-controlled for even longer than Ryan Nall. There really does not need to be much more said. A rookie may bring more question marks, but the new front office can pick out specifically what type of attributes they want from that player.

They can take a development shot and hope that the special teams’ depth back has starter upside. At the least, they can bring in their guy and develop him the way they want, and have him locked down for the next couple of years. Nall will be cheap, but with the years and veteran experience, a rookie may be better.