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.
Comments