The Chicago Bears surprised a lot of people when they selected Stanford tight end Sam Roush in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, considering it's one of their biggest strengths compared to other glaring needs on the roster. But, as has become the mantra, you have to trust Ben Johnson.
The Bears' tight end room is led by last year's top-10 pick Colston Loveland and veteran Cole Kmet, but following the loss of Durham Smythe, the Roush pick actually makes a ton of sense considering Johnson's penchant for 13 personnel. Roush is an elite blocker who should help the run game and passing game excel, and he brings the toughness and physicality that Johnson looks for in his players.
If you need any convincing about the Roush selection, let Johnson himself explain the reason why Chicago just had to have him, especially after the second-year head coach had an opportunity to evaluate Roush's film.
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Logan Jones2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Sam Roush2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Zavion Thomas2026 NFL Draft: Bears select CB Malik Muhammad2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Keyshaun Elliott2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Jordan van den Berg1 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)1 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)2 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Logan Jones3 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Sam Roush4 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Zavion Thomas5 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select CB Malik Muhammad6 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Keyshaun Elliott7 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Jordan van den Berg"He's a finisher through the whistle," Johnson said. "I think that showed up on a consistent basis. It didn't matter who he was blocking, could be a big guy, could be a little DB, and he consistently finished through the whistle each and every play. You always love it when you when you take a player and you get a text message from somebody, one of his coaches at Stanford, said, 'He will crush himself to do whatever he can to help the football team.' And it just verifies what you all already thought about the player. So, feel good about that one."
The Bears stuck to their mindset of drafting the best available player, and players who fit their respective schemes on offense and defense, which led them to Roush. While there remain concerns along the defensive line, Chicago didn't reach on a selection merely because it was a need. Instead, they elected to bolster their roster, including strengths, with their best available.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears HC Ben Johnson explains decision to draft TE Sam Roush