One 2025 NFL Combine attendee who could be a sneaky target on the Bears' radar given his connection to Eric Bienemy
The Chicago Bears' busy offseason is only getting started.In the coming days, Ben Johnson is set to finalize his coaching staff and the crew, with some various front office staffers, will head to Indianapolis next week for the 2025 Scouting Combine. One of the most underrated hires on the Bears' new offensive staff was new […]
The Chicago Bears' busy offseason is only getting started.
In the coming days, Ben Johnson is set to finalize his coaching staff and the crew, with some various front office staffers, will head to Indianapolis next week for the 2025 Scouting Combine.
One of the most underrated hires on the Bears' new offensive staff was new running backs coach Eric Bieniemy. Bieniemy will return to the NFL level with the Bears after previously serving as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at UCLA.
Prior to joining the staff at UCLA, Bieniemy was most notably the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bieniemy has always been a top-tier coach at every stop who is beloved by his former players. We already mentioned his close connection with Chiefs right guard Trey Smith, who is easily the team's top offseason target.
As for the draft, there's one former UCLA Bruin who will attend the combine next week in Indianapolis and could be on the Bears' radar if Bieniemy puts in a good scouting report for the front office.
That player is tight end Moliki Matavao. After transferring from Oregon to UCLA in 2023, Matavao finally had his breakout season in Bieniemy's offense last season. He totaled 41 receptions and just over 500 yards in 11 games played.
His hulking size made him a reliable target over the middle of the field and he has largely been viewed as a potential sleeper in the class at the position. Bieniemy also schemed a lot of easy competitions to him underneath that allowed him to rumble through defenders in the open field.
At the Senior Bowl, Matavao was able show off his athleticism in front of various scouts and executives in attendance. According to our A to Z Sports On-Field Athleticism Score from the Senior Bowl, Matavao had the fourth-highest score among all tight ends in attendance at Mobile.
It certainly seemed like playing in Bieniemy's offense helped get Matavao's career arc back on track and he of course had nothing but praise for his offensive coordinator.
“(Bieniemy is) probably the smartest human I’ve been around in football and it’s just great to see what he teaches us in the meeting rooms that take it to the practice field, but then actually do it on the field,” Matavao said back September via Los Angeles Daily News.
Matavao would be a perfect player to develop behind Cole Kmet at the tight end position and the team could have a need there if Gerald Everett gets cut. His connection with Bieniemy could put him on the Bears' radar late in the draft.
Top offensive lineman to watch for the Bears at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine
A big week coming up.
