Grading The Pick: Ben Johnson proves he can’t help himself by selecting tight end Sam Roush with the 69th overall pick
The Chicago Bears have added another tight end to head coach Ben Johnson’s offense, showing the direction the unit plans to go in during the 2026 season.
One year after drafting Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick, the Chicago Bears are adding another top tight end prospect to head coach Ben Johnson’s offense in Stanford’s Sam Roush.
The Bears are seemingly set at the wide receiver position with Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, and Jahdae Walker. That’s already a solid group of four and all signs point toward the Bears running a high percentage of 12 personnel.
Between Loveland, Cole Kmet, and Roush, the Bears now have three matchup nightmares at the tight end position. Roush, especially, is a freak of nature at 6-6, 267 pounds and an insane athlete.
Roush possesses some of the most elite potential at TE in the class. Explosive, explosive athlete at the position who got better every season in both the receiving and blocking game in college. Plays with grit in run blocking, both in-line and on the wings. Smooth mover over the middle who is not afraid of contact in the passing game. Will quickly earn a ton of trust from his NFL quarterback. Lack of concentration resulting in drops was an issue even as a senior, though.
Adam Holt
A to Z Sports
Bears were expected to go TE at some point in the draft, but this was incredibly early
Tight end was a sneaky need for the Bears going into this draft after losing veteran Durham Smythe in free agency. Smythe was an underappreciated member of Chicago’s offense in 2025 serving as the in-line blocker in the run game.
Clearly, it’s a position Johnson values incredibly high after using a Top-75 pick on a TE3. However, Roush is one of the top blocking tight ends in the class and willing to do anything for his team (played 529 career special teams snaps).
Roush has high potential playing alongside Loveland, but this feels incredibly rich considering the other needs this team has on the defensive side of the ball. It is worth noting the Bears did recently restructure Kmet’s contract. If Roush plays well enough in 2026, could he push the team’s longest-tenured offensive player off the roster in 2027?
Grade: C+
