Chicago Bears offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie has a lot to prove entering his second season.
He was the 75th overall pick in 2024, yet he's not expected to be one of the starting five for the Chicago Bears' offensive line as the 2025 season begins. The starting five will likely be Braxton Jones (left tackle), veteran trade pick-up Joe Thuney (left guard), Drew Dalman (center), Jonah Jackson (right guard), and Darnell Wright (right tackle).
Amegadjie struggled in his first start against the Minnesota Vikings last season, and it's been downhill from there, as it seems clear he will be a depth player for the Bears.
A third-round pick should probably be starting by now, especially on a team like the Bears, one that has been rebuilding since Amegadjie entered the league. The NFL has changed — most first-round picks are expected to be impact players immediately, as are a good chunk of second-round draft picks.
Third-round picks may not have quite the same level of expectations, but teams often expect them to contribute significantly, if not start, by their second season. Amegadjie hasn't won a starting job, and that's concerning. Will he be the latest example of general manager Ryan Poles' drafting errors?
Bears OL Kiran Amegadjie is on Hot Seat
Obviously, it will be hard for Amegadjie to prove himself if he's not starting. But he likely will get some chances to play in games. Perhaps on special teams, perhaps when a starter needs a rest, or, most likely, if a starter gets banged up. If Amegadjie has the opportunity to suit up, he must block well, no matter what the game circumstances are.
Where Amegadjie could really shine is on the practice field and in the meeting room. He needs to give new Bears head coach Ben Johnson and new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle a reason to at least consider moving him into the starting five. Even if he can't do that, solid work could get him consideration as a swing player, ready to help out as needed or in specific situations.
Amegadjie has two luxuries: he's made the team, and he's only two years into his career. And given how often NFL players get banged up, he will probably continue to get chances to move into a first-team role, even if only for a play or two. But given his draft position, he might find himself playing elsewhere if he can't show that he was worth the third-round pick. He's had a season to learn how to play in the NFL, though we understand that coaching turnover has not been helpful.
It's not that Amegadjie should be sent packing if he has another game like he did against Minnesota in 2024, and it should be noted that he only saw action in six games as a rookie. So one can argue Amegadjie simply needs more seasoning, more time to develop.
On the other hand, one can argue that getting into only a half-dozen games during a lost campaign in which the offensive line was a mess doesn't speak highly of Amegadjie, rookie season or not.
His 40.3 overall and 39.4 pass blocking grades on Pro Football Focus ranked 135th and 126th, respectively, among 140 offensive tackles.
It's unlikely that Amegadjie will be cut in one month if he can't produce a good showing a practice. But if he's not able to stand out in the first month of the Bears' season, he will put himself on very thin ice sooner rather than later.