Bears Re-Sign Pair of Key Special Teams Contributors Ahead of Free Agency
https://youtu.be/hGIwIWho6rs
The Chicago Bears are locking in key special teams contributors ahead of free agency, signaling their commitment to improving all three phases of the game. While offense and defense get most of the attention, special teams can be the difference between winning and losing tight matchups. With these re-signings, the Bears are ensuring they have reliable pieces in place for 2025. Could this be a sign of bigger moves to come? Let’s dive into why the Bears might be a serious threat next season!
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#ChicagoBears #BearDown #NFLFreeAgency #BearsOffseason #BearsSpecialTeams #BearsSignings #NFL2025 #RyanPoles #BearsNation #ChicagoFootball #BreakingNews #BearsUpdates #BearsMoves #FootballTalk #BearsFans #NFLAnalysis #Bears2025 #NFLRumors #WindyCityFootball
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**Fair Use Disclaimer**
This video contains copyrighted material used under the fair use provisions of Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act. It is for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, and research. No copyright infringement is intended.
https://youtu.be/hGIwIWho6rs
The Chicago Bears are locking in key special teams contributors ahead of free agency, signaling their commitment to improving all three phases of the game. While offense and defense get most of the attention, special teams can be the difference between winning and losing tight matchups. With these re-signings, the Bears are ensuring they have reliable pieces in place for 2025. Could this be a sign of bigger moves to come? Let’s dive into why the Bears might be a serious threat next season!
----------
#ChicagoBears #BearDown #NFLFreeAgency #BearsOffseason #BearsSpecialTeams #BearsSignings #NFL2025 #RyanPoles #BearsNation #ChicagoFootball #BreakingNews #BearsUpdates #BearsMoves #FootballTalk #BearsFans #NFLAnalysis #Bears2025 #NFLRumors #WindyCityFootball
----------
**Fair Use Disclaimer**
This video contains copyrighted material used under the fair use provisions of Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act. It is for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, and research. No copyright infringement is intended.
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SportsTranscript
00:00The Chicago Bears are hard at work in the 2025 offseason, crafting a new identity that is smarter,
00:07more complete, and ready to compete. This isn't a quick fix job. General Manager Ryan Poles is
00:13building a team that will not only contend in the present, but also thrive for years to come.
00:18Many people look to free agency and blockbuster trades for the big names and flashy signings.
00:24But Poles is taking a different approach, one that prioritizes something many overlook,
00:29the third phase of the game, special teams. Special teams often don't get the credit
00:35they deserve. Fans and analysts alike tend to focus on the offense and defense,
00:39where stars like quarterbacks, running backs, and pass rushers dominate the conversation.
00:44But the Bears are looking at special teams as a key part of their success in 2025.
00:51Special teams can swing the momentum of a game in an instant. They can turn a loss into a win
00:56with a single play. And the Bears are committing to this often underappreciated phase by ensuring
01:02they have the best talent available. One of the biggest moves Poles made was locking down two of
01:08the Bears' most important special teams players, cornerback Josh Blackwell and linebacker Eamon
01:13Ogbung-Bemiga. Both players have just signed two-year deals to remain in Chicago and their
01:18returns are huge for the team's success moving forward. Blackwell is set to make up to $6 million
01:23while Ogbung-Bemiga will earn $5 million. These aren't just depth signings. They're foundational
01:30pieces that will make the difference between good and great. The Bears are focusing on getting the
01:35right kind of depth. Players who can step up when needed and execute their roles with precision.
01:41Depth is the key to building a sustainable winner in the NFL. It's not enough to have a few superstars.
01:48To truly compete at a high level, you need players who understand their role
01:52and can execute it consistently. You need guys who can make plays when the game is on the line,
01:58even when the spotlight isn't shining on them. And that's exactly what Blackwell and Ogbung-Bemiga
02:03bring to the table. When you have a team that can rely on players like these, it's a game changer.
02:09For the Bears, who have been on the wrong side of many close games in recent years,
02:15these kinds of signings are exactly what they need to close the gap and start winning those
02:20tight matchups. Let's start with Josh Blackwell, who has had a journey many would call a long shot.
02:26Coming out of Duke University, he wasn't drafted into the NFL and his future looked uncertain.
02:31But polls saw something in Blackwell and the Bears claimed him off waivers in 2022.
02:37From there, Blackwell didn't just make the roster. He found a way to contribute. He quickly
02:42established himself as a reliable depth cornerback and a key piece on special teams. Blackwell's path
02:48to the NFL wasn't paved with spotlight moments, but he created his own by grinding and doing his job
02:55quietly and efficiently. His breakout moment came in the 2024 season finale against the
03:02Green Bay Packers. The Bears were fighting for pride, trying to end the season on a high note.
03:07With the game on the line, Blackwell caught a punt and made a play that electrified the entire team.
03:12He took the ball all the way to the end zone for a touchdown, a momentum-shifting,
03:17game-deciding play that gave the Bears a hard-fought victory over their rivals.
03:22That play was a perfect example of the kind of impact special teams can have.
03:27It wasn't just a flash in the pan. It was the result of years of preparation,
03:32instinct, and pure talent. Now, Blackwell is back in Chicago to continue making those
03:37game-changing plays. And with his return, the Bears are adding even more stability to their
03:42special teams unit. Then there's A-man Ogbam Bemiga, whose role may not have the same flair
03:49as Blackwell's, but is just as crucial. A linebacker by trade, Ogbam Bemiga's impact
03:54is most noticeable on special teams, where his speed and tackling ability come to the forefront.
04:01When the opposing team lines up for a kick return or punt return, Ogbam Bemiga is one
04:06of the first players down the field aiming to disrupt any chance the returner has to break free.
04:11His job isn't glamorous, but it's vital. If you watched the Bears closely in 2024,
04:18you likely noticed a significant improvement in their special teams coverage.
04:23That wasn't a coincidence. It was the direct result of players like Ogbam Bemiga playing
04:29at a high level. His return to the Bears is a major boost, not only for the linebacker core,
04:35where depth was starting to become an issue with Jack Sanborn's expected departure,
04:40but also for the special teams unit, which will now remain strong and cohesive.
04:45One of the most telling parts of these moves is that the Bears have decided to keep Richard Hightower
04:51as their special teams coordinator. Hightower is one of the few holdovers from the 2024 coaching
04:57staff, and his continued presence is a testament to how much the team values what he brings to
05:02the table. Special teams may not get the same attention as the offense or defense,
05:08but they're just as important, and having a coach who can get the most out of his players
05:13is a major advantage. The Bears understand that, which is why Hightower will remain in
05:19charge of special teams as they continue to build a unit that can compete with the best
05:25in the league. But the Bears didn't stop there. They've also added tight end Durham Smythe,
05:31a player who may not be a household name, but is a steady, reliable contributor.
05:36Smythe is known for his ability to block effectively, catch passes when needed,
05:40and provide stability to the tight end position. He may not be a superstar,
05:44but his presence in the locker room and on the field is invaluable. With Kolkommet leading the
05:50tight end group, adding Smythe provides much needed depth and allows the Bears to be more
05:54flexible in their game plans. Poles isn't looking to make headlines with these moves,
05:59he's looking to build a team that can handle injuries, adapt to different situations,
06:03and win in all three phases of the game. It's important to remember that the best
06:09teams in the NFL aren't just built around a few superstars. They win because they have depth.
06:15They win because their special teams make plays when it matters most. And they win because they
06:20pay attention to the details. The Bears understand this, and while these moves may not make big waves
06:27in the media, they are setting the foundation for long-term success. So Bears fans, don't
06:34overlook these signings. Don't ignore the importance of special teams. Because the next
06:40time Josh Blackwell takes a punt to the house, or Amen Ogbunbamiga makes a crucial stop on a
06:46kickoff return, you'll remember exactly why these moves were made. The Bears are building something
06:53special, and this is only the beginning of what promises to be an exciting 2025 season.
07:00In the end, it's the unheralded moves like these that separate contenders from pretenders. By
07:06investing in players who understand their role and can execute at the highest level,
07:10the Bears are setting themselves up for success not just in the spotlight, but in the trenches,
07:16on the return teams, and in every facet of the game that gets overlooked. If the Bears can
07:21continue to build in this way, paying attention to the little things that matter,
07:27they'll be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.