5 must-watch Chicago Bears defensive players in preseason opener

3. Noah Sewell

When the Chicago Bears drafted Noah Sewell in round five of the 2023 NFL draft they claimed he was the best player on the board, but it also felt like overkill. The team signed two highly-paid linebackers and had Jack Sanborn returning. Sewell would be a fourth linebacker at best.

That is the role he assumed as a rookie, and he was a key player on special teams, but he only played 27 defensive snaps as a rookie. The Bears have no idea what they have in him.

However, with a new defensive coordinator, it was notable that Amen Ogbongbeminga was listed ahead of him on the initial depth chart. So, Sewell is currently the fifth linebacker, which would put him on the roster bubble. 

Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards will hardly play this summer. Sanborn will get a ton of work, who will start next to him? How much will Sewell get to play? Will his special teams impact guarantee him a roster spot?