The Chicago Bears brought a whopping seven players in for workouts on October 28. Not surprisingly, several of them are offensive linemen.
The Bears brought tackles Jackson Barton and Andrew Stueber, along with center Jake Hanson and guard Royce Newman in for tryouts. Chicago also eyed some help for its defense, trying out linebackers D.J. Johnson and Rashad Weaver and defensive end Jeremiah Martin.
With backup left tackle Braxton Jones on injured reserve and starter Theo Benedet struggling, Chicago is looking at both veteran options and developmental depth across the line.
On the defensive front, the Bears are getting Austin Booker back this week, but they need to shore up a defensive line that has amassed just 11 sacks this season (Chicago has 14 total sacks, 11 of which were made by the D-line.
Let’s take a closer look at the players the Bears brought in.
Former Packers OL Royce Newman Is Most Experienced of Those Worked Out By Chicago Bears
A 2021 fourth-round pick by Green Bay, Newman has appeared in 52 games with 24 starts over four seasons, spending most of his career at right guard. He’s also logged snaps at both tackle spots.
Newman started 16 games as a rookie and played more than 1,000 snaps that season, helping protect Aaron Rodgers during one of his MVP campaigns. While Newmanâs play slipped in later seasons â particularly in 2023 when he allowed 17 pressures on 210 pass-blocking snaps â his experience makes him an intriguing depth option for a Bears unit that has struggled to stay healthy.
At 28, heâs still young enough to serve as an affordable veteran presence who can stabilize depth. If signed, Newman would instantly become one of the more seasoned backups on the roster.
A Look at the Other Offensive Linemen Eyed By Chicago
Getty Former Packers OL Royce Newman worked out for the Chicago bears this week.
Here’s a quick overview of the other offensive linemen Chicago brought in:
Jake Hanson â A former sixth-round pick (2020) by the Packers, Hanson has appeared in 30 NFL games with seven starts, including some inside and guard rep duty when needed. The Bears may view him as a reliable backup center, someone who has taken meaningful snaps in live game-action and can provide insurance behind the starter or even compete for a reserve role.
Jackson Barton â A 2019 seventhârounder for Indianapolis, Barton has been around several teams (Colts, Chiefs, Giants, Raiders, Cardinals) and has 13 games played and two starts. Bartonâs appeal lies in his versatility: he has worked both sides and can serve as that sure âthird-tackleâ body on the roster, which is especially valuable given the injury to Jones.
Andrew Stueber â A younger developmental option, Stueber came out of Michigan and was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 draft by the New England Patriots. He has seen limited action over his career, but the 6-foot-7, 318-pound Stueber has the size and athletic profile the Bears might find intriguing.
A Look at the Defensive Players Worked Out By Chicago Bears
Here’s a glance at the defensive players Chicago brought in heading into Week 9:
Rashad Weaver â Weaver is the most accomplished rusher in this tryout set. A 2021 fourth-round pick for the Tennessee Titans, he notched 5.5 sacks in 2022. The Bears likely see him as someone who could immediately bring rotational edge rush snaps, help on passing downs and special teams and give them a veteran body who can serve as depth behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo.
D.J. Johnson â Drafted in the third round of 2023 out of Oregon, Johnson is younger and less experienced, but his physical traits (6-4/260, good speed) and special teams experience are intriguing. Chicago may view him as an athletic upside option on the edge who could contribute immediately on return units and eventually on defense if he continues to develop. He has played in 31 career games (five starts) and has just 0.5 sacks and four TFLs in that span.
Jeremiah Martin â A lesser known name, Martin has bounced around multiple practice squads after going undrafted out of Washington. He has spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Packers, Giants and most recently, the Saints. He has yet to appear in an NFL game, so he’d be a definite developmental piece.
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