3 Bears Rookies on Thin Ice After Their First Season
3. Noah Sewell, LB
The 2023 NFL season was a mixed experience for Noah Sewell. The former Oregon linebacker appeared in 13 games but spent most of his time on special teams, playing 270 snaps compared to the 27 he saw on defense.
As a result of the lack of consistent playing time, Sewell's rookie numbers just don't pop out. He only registered nine total tackles (just 4 solo) with a forced fumble and finished with a PFF defensive grade of 63.5 or worse in four of the five games where he saw snaps on defense.
It's truly tough to say what the future looks like for Sewell. On one hand, he's only 22 years old and could benefit from a higher defensive snap count. On the other hand, the coaching staff might not think he did enough to warrant a bigger role on defense. Depending on how the offseason unfolds and if more LBs are brought in, he could be stuck in the same role — or worse — in 2024.
Hopefully, Sewell can rediscover what made him a decently-touted prospect before it's too late.
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