00:00Ryan Poles just made a key move for the Chicago Bears' linebacker depth, and while it might not
00:05make national headlines, it tells us a lot about how this team is being built for the future.
00:11Every roster move matters, especially in the National Football League,
00:14where depth can be the difference between a playoff run and a disappointing season.
00:18The Bears are bringing back linebacker Aminag Bungbamaga on a two-year contract worth $5 million.
00:25At first glance, this may seem like a small signing, but when you break it down,
00:29it is a strategic decision that reinforces how Ryan Poles and the coaching staff value
00:34versatility and special teams impact. Aminag Bungbaga is not the kind of player who will
00:39be leading the team in sacks or making highlight reel plays every Sunday, but what he does bring
00:44to the team is consistency, effort, and an ability to contribute in multiple ways.
00:51He made his name last season as a key special teams contributor. That is an aspect of the
00:56game that does not get talked about enough, but anyone who follows the National Football League
01:00closely knows just how crucial it is. The Bears recognized his value and decided he was a player
01:06worth keeping around. Special teams can often be the deciding factor in a closed game.
01:12It is about pinning opponents deep in their territory, making crucial tackles on kickoff
01:17returns, and blocking kicks when it matters most. These hidden battles shape the outcome of games,
01:22and players like Aminag Bungbaga are the unsung heroes who make it happen.
01:27Last season, Aminag Bungbaga played a major role in the Bears special teams unit, finishing tied
01:33for the team lead in special teams tackles with 11. Five of those were solo tackles,
01:38showing that he was not just benefiting from team efforts, he was actively making plays himself.
01:44Special teams play is about discipline, timing, and effort. It is about stopping big returns
01:49before they happen, and flipping field position to put the offense or defense in a better spot.
01:54The Bears clearly believe that Agfang Bemiga is a player who can help them win that battle
01:59week in and week out. His ability to read plays and react quickly makes him a key asset,
02:04and his hustle on every snap proves his value. This is the kind of player who might not get
02:10the glory, but his contributions directly lead to winning football games.
02:16Now, let us look at his role on defense. Last season, he played only 15 defensive snaps.
02:22That is a small sample size, but it does not mean he is not valuable.
02:26The reason the Bears wanted him back is his ability to play all three linebacker positions.
02:33That kind of flexibility is incredibly useful, especially in a league where injuries are
02:38inevitable. If a starter like Tremaine Edmonds or TJ Edwards goes down, having a player who can
02:43step in and hold things together is crucial. Agfang Bemiga gives the Bears that insurance
02:48policy. He is not a household name, but he is a player who coaches and teammates trust to do his
02:53job. He is always ready, always prepared, and he understands the playbook inside and out.
03:00Having someone like that in the locker room is just as important as having top-tier starters.
03:04This move also tells us something about the Bears' overall roster strategy. Instead of throwing big
03:09money at high-profile names, Ryan Poles is building a well-rounded team. This is where
03:15the decision not to tender an offer to Jack Sanborn comes into play. Sanborn was a fan favorite.
03:23He was a local guy who worked his way into the starting lineup and played with passion.
03:27But in the National Football League, decisions have to be made with a bigger picture in mind.
03:31The minimum tender for Sanborn would have cost the Bears nearly $3.5 million. The front office
03:37decided that money could be better used elsewhere. That was not an easy decision,
03:42but it was a calculated one. Every dollar in the salary cap matters, and spending wisely on
03:48depth while maintaining flexibility is key to long-term success. Does this mean the Bears will
03:54draft a linebacker? Maybe. But it does not mean they will prioritize the position early in the
03:59draft. They already have their starters set with Tremaine Edmonds and T.J. Edwards. The focus in
04:04free agency in the draft will likely be on depth and special teams contributors, players who can
04:10fill roles and provide value without taking up major cap space. Oglebong Bemiga fits that
04:17description perfectly. The Bears are building a roster where every player has a defined role and
04:23the right pieces are being put in place to ensure there are no weak links. Whether it is through
04:28undrafted free agents, mid-round draft picks, or smart signings like this one, Chicago is making
04:33sure it has the depth to withstand the grind of an entire season. Some people overlook special
04:39teams, but anyone who has watched football long enough knows how often games are decided by a big
04:44punt return, a missed tackle on a kickoff, or a blocked field goal. Championship teams have strong
04:52special teams units. They do not just rely on their offense and defense. They make sure every
04:58phase of the game is covered. The Bears want to be that kind of team and keeping Oglebong Bemiga is
05:03a step in that direction. A great special teams unit changes field position, creates momentum,
05:09and puts points on the board in unexpected ways. Oglebong Bemiga is a player who understands that
05:15and he embraces his role with a level of intensity that makes a real difference on the field.
05:21Ryan Poles and the coaching staff are building a team that is balanced, disciplined, and ready to
05:26compete in all three phases of the game. Bringing back a player like Oglebong Bemiga might not
05:32dominate the headlines, but it is the kind of move that makes a difference over the course of a long
05:37season. He is a reliable player, a hard worker, and someone who has already proven his worth on the
05:43field. That is why the Bears made sure to lock him down for two more years. The best teams in the
05:48league have players like him, guys who show up, do their job, and make the plays that go unnoticed by
05:54casual fans but are critical to winning football games. This is just one of many moves the Bears
06:01will make this offseason. Free agency is still unfolding and the draft is right around the corner.
06:05There are bigger signings to come and there will be a lot of excitement leading up to the season,
06:11but smart teams know that championships are not just built with star players. They are built with
06:18the right role players, the right depth, and the right mindset. That is exactly what this move
06:24represents. It is about long-term success, about building a foundation, and about ensuring the team
06:31has the pieces in place to be competitive every single week. The Chicago Bears are not just trying
06:39to be good next season. They are building something sustainable. They are putting together a roster
06:44that can compete year after year, and if Ogbong-Bemiga continues to excel on special teams
06:49and steps up when needed on defense, this contract will look like a bargain. That is what smart team
06:57building looks like, and Ryan Poles is proving once again that he has a clear vision for the
07:02future of this team. It is not about flashy moves. It is about smart, calculated decisions
07:08that ensure the Bears can play winning football for years to come. There is a lot more work to
07:13be done. More signings will happen. The draft will bring new talent, and when training camp rolls around,
07:19competition will be fierce, but one thing is clear. This front office knows what it is doing.
07:24They are locking down important pieces, making smart financial decisions, and ensuring that the
07:32Chicago Bears are ready to take the next step. The future is bright, and this is just the beginning.
07:38The Bears are building a team that can last, a team that can compete, and a team that is ready to
07:42bring championship football back to Chicago.
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