Chicago Bears: 2019 Undrafted rookies who could make roster
John Wirtel, Long Snapper
One thing that most undrafted rookies feel throughout their time in the NFL is the feeling that they have one foot on the field and another on the unemployment line. They work as hard as they can season after season with that fear driving them. They aren’t always wrong with that feeling. Undrafted rookies are usually expendable. Teams can replace them with other undrafted (or late round picks).
Patrick Scales was an undrafted rookie who signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2014. He played in just two games, however. He spent some time in the Miami Dolphins training camp but ultimately signed with the Chicago Bears in 2015. In 2017, he tore his ACL and missed the entire season. He did come back and played a full season last year, though.
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Even though Scales played a full season and signed an extension this offseason, he is guaranteed just $90,000, so it makes him a target to be replaced by a younger player.
John Wirtel is a local kid, having gone to high school at Mount Carmel. He played his college ball at Kansas. He didn’t have much expectation of being drafted since long snappers usually go undrafted. While he prepared to make an impression on scouts for the scouts, he kept in touch with the Bears. As soon as the draft ended Chicago came calling and he signed, per BeverleyReview.net:
"I’d been talking with the Bears, but we were going to see what happened. Things can change at the drop of a hat. When I got that call, it was definitely a special feeling. It meant a lot to me when they made it official."
Wirtel does a good job of getting down the field after the snap. You usually don’t hear much from him which means he does a good job. The only time you notice the long snapper is when he snaps the ball over someone’s head.
It’ll be a long road for Wirtel, but I think he’ll push Scales. If Scales isn’t up for a challenge, Wirtel could step in. The Bears already showed a lot of interest in him so if he shows enough ability he should make the team.