What's the best-case scenario for these Chicago Bears as they enter training camp? Think about it, because there are a lot of individual storylines we could be talking about.
Maybe your mind first goes to Caleb Williams taking the big leap, Kyler Gordon making it back onto the field fully healthy, or maybe it's that Braxton Jones looks like he is back in form. Those would all instill even more excitement into the fan base, but this is a much deeper best-case scenario we're talking about.
Truly, a deep cut, if you will.
The Bears have a defensive end on their roster by the name of Jamree Kromah, and, for the majority of fans, this could very well be the first time you're hearing his name. But at a position of need like defensive end, it's going to be important to know everybody in that room.
After all, the Bears are desperate for players to step up at this spot, so why not Kromah?
Jamree Kromah could give the Bears a training camp surprise no one saw coming
Originally coming into the league as an undrafted free agent out of James Madison in 2024, he signed with the Bears and ultimately made their practice squad. It didn't take long for the New England Patriots to sign him to their active roster in September before he found his way back to the Bears' practice squad in October.
The Bears must have liked something they saw, because he was back with them the following year and a member of the 2025 practice squad and signed another reserve/future contract earlier this year.
At this point, going into Year 3, Kromah has yet to even play a regular season snap. But we have to think about all the "what ifs" when it comes to a position like defensive end. Bears fans know this all too well. They need help rushing the passer.
Back in his final year at James Madison, Kromah put on an absolute clinic. He posted 59 total tackles, including 19.5 for loss and 10.0 sacks. He also came up with a fumble recovery for good measure.
Yes, it was James Madison, which is part of the lowly Sun Belt Conference. But still, there had to have been some traits to make him successful enough there that warranted two years as an NFL practice squad member.
Nowadays, the practice squad is just as much for developmental players as it is for veterans who are trying to stick around. But we have to remember that Kromah is a developmental guy.
What happens if he's developed enough in two years?
The somewhat undersized defensive lineman, standing 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, has just as much of a chance to surprise as anyone during training camp. He's competing with Daniel Hardy, a fellow former undrafted free agent, and Shemar Turner, who was arguably over-drafted and missed his entire rookie year to injury.
We know Montez Sweat and Austin Booker are locks for the roster. Dayo Odeyingbo sort of has to be also, based on his contract.
But, from there? It is truly anyone's game. Why not Kromah?
Coming out of college, some of his pre-draft scouting reports had blurbs like "jarring pop in his hands," "Great awareness and response quickness to play design," "impressive length," and "plus determination and execution getting to RBs and QBs in short spaces."
Read more: Forgotten Bears draft pick could already be buried before training camp
Those sound like NFL traits to me. Now, at this point, we hope for what would be the surprise of training camp: Kromah is finally ready to take a Year 3 leap, and just in time for when the Bears need it the most.
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