As we countdown the days until training camp we will continue to countdown the Chicago Bears roster from 90 all the way to number one. Today, we will look at number 89. This list will focus on their potential impact on the 2022 Bears roster only.
Chicago Bears Roster Ranking Number 89 – Rysen John
Rysen John is a tight end who originally hails from Canada. John grew up in Canada and played high school and college football up north. He was a third-round draft pick in the CFL but wound up leaving the league to join the New York Giants in 2020.
John spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Giants. However, with the new General Manager coming in with New York, they made roster changes and that included moving on from Rysen John.
The Chicago Bears jumped at the chance, claiming him on waivers. That could signify that he should be much higher than number 89.
Of course, the counter is that the Bears roster was about as bare as any you could see. Ryan Poles tore the thing down and still has not quite built it back up. So, adding bodies like John was more imperative for him than other rosters.
John is an interesting player because he is taller than your typical tight end, but also slimmer. You could see him in that big slot role, but he is arguably more of a blocker than a Darren Waller type of weapon.
When you look at the Chicago Bears tight end depth chart, they actually did a pretty good job of adding depth behind Cole Kmet. Ryan Griffin is your stereotypical number two, while James O’Shaugnessy makes sense as a third tight end.
Beyond that, UDFAs Chase Allen and Jake Tonges are a bit more appealing. John may stick around on the practice squad, but he also may not be as exciting in the long term as either of the rookie UDFAs, so this may be an abbreviated stretch for John.
He will enter training camp as the likely sixth tight end in the pecking order but will hope that his third NFL season is when things start to click.