Chicago Bears: 3 Roster bubble players who must impress in final preseason game

1. Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Linebacker

To say that linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe has been a disappointment is an understatement. Iyiegbuniwe was the Bears’ fourth-round draft pick in 2018. He hasn’t found much time on the field except for special teams, however. In his three seasons in Chicago, he’s only played on 49 total defensive snaps (but 990 special teams snaps).

Being drafted in the fourth round, the coaches expect a lot from a player. They expect a player who can contribute to an elite defensive unit. The team doesn’t want to spend that high of a draft pick for solely a special teams performer.

The Chicago Bears made a surprise signing when they acquired another linebacker, Alec Ogletree. Somehow, the team must have felt they needed something more at inside linebacker.

Ogletree would battle Iyiegbuniwe for the backup inside linebacker. Ogletree came in and blew things up. He had six interceptions in his first four practices then went out and continued his success into the preseason games.

In the first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, he recorded four tackles, one for a loss. The tackle for loss came at a key moment when the Dolphins were on the Bears’ 2-yard line. That prevented a touchdown and forced a field goal. He followed that up by recording three tackles against the Buffalo Bills.

It appears that the only way Iyiegbuniwe makes the team is on special teams. As I mentioned earlier, the Bears expect more from a player drafted as high as he was. He could find himself looking for a job before Cut Day ends.