With training camp less than a week away, Ryan Poles is still digging for answers, and the Bears made that clear before the weekend by bringing in six players for workouts.
The group included four defensive backs and two linemen: Hudson Clark, DB; Kaylan Faumui, G; Glendon Miller, DB; Josh Minkins, DB; Marlen Sewell, DB; and Ben Te Kura, T.
That defensive back-heavy look stands out for a reason. Chicago’s secondary has been dealing with injuries, and OTAs made the situation even more obvious when starting nickel corner Kyler Gordon was still working through his soft-tissue injury. With the cornerback room looking thin, the Bears may be searching for insurance before camp opens.
Te Kura is the name that jumps off the page. At 6-foot-9, he is considered the tallest rugby player ever, and he spent time with the Brisbane Broncos rugby team in Australia from 2024 until this year. He is not the usual kind of offensive tackle workout candidate, which is exactly why his presence is so interesting.
The Bears could be taking a page from the Philadelphia Eagles’ playbook with Jordan Mailata. Mailata was drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft after never having played American football, and after a rugby background of his own, he has become one of the best tackles in the league.
Chicago’s latest workout batch suggests Poles is still willing to explore every angle as camp approaches, with the possibility that one of these names could turn into a roster addition.
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