CHI Sam Roush
NFL player. Position: TE. Team: CHI.
Quick Facts
- Position: TE
- Team: CHI (Chicago Bears)
- Draft: 2026 NFL Draft, Round 3
2026 third-round draft pick for the Bears. Was among the last unsigned draft picks in the 2026 class due to a minor bottleneck in round 3 negotiations, with signing delayed while higher picks in the round were finalized (per Sam Roush Is Last Bears Rookie Unsigned as Rare Round 3 Bottleneck Forms).
Roush is among a class of tight ends drafted due to the league-wide shift toward 13 personnel (three tight ends), especially after the Rams popularized the scheme. Chicago offensive coordinator Ben Johnson appears intent on expanding 13 personnel usage beyond last season's 8.52% snap rate. Roush's blocking prowess makes him an ideal fit for this offensive philosophy. (per How a League-Wide Trend Forced Teams Into Stunning NFL Draft Decisions) Bears Wire cited him as one of the Day 2 picks that showcased Ben Johnson's fingerprints on the roster-building strategy (per 10 best available players for Bears on Day 3 of 2026 NFL Draft).
Training camp 2026 outlook: Roush enters as the third tight end behind Loveland and Kmet but has a chance to exceed expectations given the Bears' emphasis on run-heavy 13 personnel packages. Expected to develop into a solid run blocker and pass catcher with versatility to line up anywhere on the field. With Loveland and Kmet headlining the position group, the Bears believe a high-productivity tight end room could emerge as "the best in the NFL" if all three perform to expectations (per Chicago Bears 2026 Training Camp Preview: Tight End - 247Sports).
July 2026 consensus: Ranked #8 in the 2026 rookie TE class (avoid redraft, stash dynasty), reflecting limited early-season fantasy opportunity in a developmental role (per 2026 Fantasy football: Rookie TE rankings - Vikings Wire).
Role / Depth Chart
Developmental tight end in Chicago's multi-TE rotation alongside Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. Third-round pick targeted specifically to expand Chicago's 12 and 13 personnel usage. Will function primarily as a blocker in run-heavy sets while learning the Bears' scheme in his rookie season. Positioned as the long-term complement to Loveland at the tight end position (per 2026 NFL Roster Projection: Chicago Bears - wolfsports.com).
2026 Outlook
Ben Johnson's play-calling emphasizes play-action and multi-TE packages over the declining RPO trend, positioning Roush as a key part of Chicago's offensive evolution. With Matthew Stafford and the LA Rams demonstrating the power of 13-personnel sets (three tight ends), Johnson drafted Roush specifically to expand these package usages beyond 2025 levels. Roush's rugby background and physicality make him a perfect fit for Johnson's downfield blocking and run-game emphasis. While Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet remain the primary targets, Roush's role in 12-13 personnel packages should gradually increase as the Bears seek to exploit smaller nickel defenses (per Bears' 4 Biggest Assets in 2026 and Ben Johnson's Offense Is the Most Important of All).
Injury Status
Recent News
- 2026-05-31 — Why Sam Roush makes even more sense in Ben Johnson's offense (Why Sam Roush makes even more sense in Ben Johnson's offense)
- 2026-05-24 — Bears may have quietly revealed Ben Johnson’s real vision for Sam Roush (Bears may have quietly revealed Ben Johnson’s real vision for Sam Roush)
- 2026-05-14 — Why The Bears Drafting Sam Roush Suddenly Makes Sense After Latest Market Buzz (Why The Bears Drafting Sam Roush Suddenly Makes Sense After Latest Market Buzz)
- 2026-04-25 — Bears GM Ryan Poles addresses the future plans regarding Cole Kmet following the... (Bears GM Ryan Poles addresses the future plans regarding Cole Kmet following the...)
- 2026-05-13 — Why Bears rookie tight end Sam Roush fits head coach Ben Johnson’s vision - The Athletic (Why Bears rookie tight end Sam Roush fits head coach Ben Johnson’s vision - The Athletic)
- 2026-06-18 — Chicago Bears 53-man roster projection: Who will enter training camp on the bubble? (Chicago Bears 53-man roster projection: Who will enter training camp on the bubble?)
- 2026-06-01 — NFL June 1 Designations: AJ Brown, Brandon Aiyuk, Salary Cap Space, and Top Free Agents (NFL June 1 Designations: AJ Brown, Brandon Aiyuk, Salary Cap Space, and Top Free Agents)
- 2026-05-27 — NFL trade offers for Coleman, Kmet, Richardson, Thibodeaux (NFL trade offers for Coleman, Kmet, Richardson, Thibodeaux)
- 2026-04-16 — 2026 NFL draft: How all 32 teams can ace their picks, needs (2026 NFL draft: How all 32 teams can ace their picks, needs)
- 2026-04-30 — Chicago Bears’ roster has undergone major change. Now, how will they get better? (Chicago Bears’ roster has undergone major change. Now, how will they get better?)