Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears have a secret weapon no one is talking about

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Joe Walters | Last updated 8/7/22

The Chicago Bears have a secret weapon no one is talking about. With camp being dominated by the stories of Roquan Smith’s contract and what is going on with Teven Jenkins, some things have slid under the radar. One of those being sixth round pick Trestan Ebner, and he is electrifying.

From the Bears to the Bears

Ebner was taken in the sixth round of this years draft. He played his college ball at Baylor, who also happens to be named the Bears. Whenever you hear sixth round pick, you tend to write a player off already. The running back position is different however. Since the NFL has become more of a passing league centered around quarterbacks, the running back position has lost major stock. Running backs that may have been taken in the first round 15 years ago, commonly are taken in the third sometimes even in the fourth round in today’s NFL. When you watch Ebner’s college highlights you realize quickly he would have been taken much higher had he played closer to the year 2000.

Comparisons

It’s very easy to compare Tristan Ebner to former Bear Tarik Cohen. Cohen is still fresh on Bears fans minds and the two are similar in many ways. Both have basically the same 40 yard dash time. 4.42 for Cohen 4.43 for Ebner. Both backs have similar styles and make dazzling cuts in traffic. Both are excellent receiving backs, and as good as Cohen was at recieving Ebner maybe even better. At Baylor he caught 127 passes for 1,515 yards and 11 touchdowns. With all the similarities between the two there is one glaring difference. Ebner is bigger. A lot bigger. Cohen is a tiny 5’6 179 pounds. Ebner is 5’11 206 pounds.

Ebner’s role

The running backs maybe the Bears strongest position. With David Montgomery on the verge of being a pro bowler, and Khalil Herbert having a great rookie year Ebner will have to wait his turn, but I doubt he has to wait long. He’s to explosive to not find a way to get him in the game. Plus the running back position is grueling. As much as I would love to see both Montgomery and Herbert play the entire season without injury, that’s highly unlikely. Until then look for Ebner to get some time as the 3rd down back and play special teams. Possibly as a returner but I think that will go to Velus Jones. He may even get a little time as a reciever. Wherever Ebner does play, the opposition better take notice. Because the Chicago Bears have a secret weapon no one is talking about.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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