The Chicago Bears selected Sam Roush in the third round of the 2026 draft. Almost everyone thought the tight end room was a completed set with very few questions. The departure of Durham Smythe to Baltimore simply meant the TE3 spot was open. Nobody expected the Bears to use their third round pick on filling that need.
Most people expected the Bears to prioritize other positions given the vast amount of needs across the defensive side of the ball. Because the team was lacking defensive starters, many viewed the need of a TE3 to be of minor importance. But recent reports are now suggesting that Chicago viewed Sam Roush as much more than a depth option.
Sam Roush brings the type of mentality Ben Johnson values
Troy Clardy, the play by play announcer recently made an appearance on the "Making Monsters" podcast of the 2nd City Gridiron podcast network, where he discussed the type of player Roush was in college, and just exactly how he'd fit into Ben Johnson's offensive playbook.
"But Sam is known for blocking, and he always says himself ‘no block, no rock,’ and he’s taken pride in that."Troy Clardy
Roush only scored four touchdowns in four years at Stanford. He's a capable tight end who can occasionally get open or catch a pass, but his primary duties will be in the blocking department. The Bears went from having one of the worst run games to top three with Ben Johnson in under one season, and the Bears would like to keep that going. The addition or Roush to the line on run-support intentions makes perfect sense when trying to drive Swift or Monangai past the line of scrimmage.
Johnson’s offense depends heavily on versatility, and that could ultimately be where Sam Roush makes his biggest impact as a rookie. Chicago already has receiving talent at tight end, but dependable blockers are what often keep offenses balanced and unpredictable.
The Bears may have surprised fans when they used a third-round pick on Roush, but the reasoning behind the move is starting to become much clearer. His mentality and physical style appear to fit exactly what Johnson wants from the position.
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