Ben Johnson’s latest comments prove the Bears genuinely believe they found a hidden gem the rest of the league forgot to draft
The Bears have a lot of belief in Jahdae Walker’s development.
The Chicago Bears’ magical win over the Green Bay Packers had many miracle moments to fuel the late-game comeback for Chicago to secure the 11th-win of the season.
But the biggest moment of the game for the Bears came from the most unlikely player imaginable when undrafted rookie wide receiver Jahdae Walker hauled in the game-tying touchdown in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime.
Walker, who played a total of eight offensive snaps entering Week 16, was ready for the moment and had the full trust from his entire team, players and coaches.
“I didn’t second-guess,” quarterback Caleb Williams said. “I didn’t think Jahdae was out there, I knew he was out there. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, Jahdae’s out there, I’m not going to (throw there). It was Jahdae’s out there and I’m going to throw this ball exactly where I’m going to throw it and he’s going to be exactly where he needs to be.”
That kind of trust in a relatively inexperience player is rare, but it speaks volumes to the player Walker is and the kind of player the Bears imagine him becoming in this league.
Bears see a high future in Jahdae Walker after having his first breakout moment
After arriving to Chicago as an undrafted free agent, Walker already had the intangible tools that sparked interest inside the building based on the size and speed combination he could bring to the initial 90-man roster. After getting him into the building, the Bears quickly learned he had much more to offer than just his physical traits.
“He ended up being, mentally, really really sharp,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said on Monday. “He was able to pick up the offense quicker than I think some rookies usually do and that’s encouraging.”
By training camp and the preseason, splash plays became a constant in Walker’s game and the Bears really got to see what they truly had in him. Because of that, Walker landed a spot on the 53-man roster to ensure no other team would be able to poach him out of Chicago.
“I think he’s got a really high ceiling,” Johnson added. “He’s got a chance to really develop into an excellent receiver and be a meaningful player for a long time.”
Once the regular season began and the season went along, Walker was a forgotten man outside the building. He was inactive for eight different games this season with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and Olamide Zaccheaus running point at the wide receiver position.
However, in the NFL it only takes one moment to have your name called and Week 16 was that moment for Walker with Odunze and Burden out going into the game due to injury.
“Just trying to be ready when my number is called,” Walker told reporters on Monday. “It’s been a long season and I just try to be the best teammate that I can. Going to work everyday just being me. I love the staff, they allow me to be myself and I just try to show them great energy and effort.”
Energy and effort is exactly what Walker brought for his team and for the entire city of Chicago on Saturday night and it’s just the start of what could be a very promising young career with the Bears.
Chicago Bears News
Ben Johnson’s postgame praise for unlikely hero shows how awesome of a coach he truly is for the Bears
Jahdae Walker delivered on the belief he had from his coaches.
