Bears head coach Ben Johnson has expressed a strong interest in undrafted rookie tight end Hayden Large, highlighting his impressive performance at rookie minicamp. Johnson's strategy relies heavily on utilizing multiple tight ends, making Large a valuable addition to the team's roster.
Key points
Ben Johnson values tight ends in his offensive strategy
Bears utilized 12 and 13 personnel at high rates last season
Hayden Large stood out during rookie minicamp
Johnson explained his interest in Large during the draft
Mentioned in this story
Ben Johnson
Chicago BearsHayden LargeColston LovelandCole Kmet
Ben Johnson explains why Bears coveted UDFA TE Hayden Large
It's no secret that Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson covets tight ends, as evidenced by the team's top duo in last year's standout rookie Colston Loveland and veteran Cole Kmet, as well as third-round rookie Sam Roush this season. But there's another tight end who's caught Johnson's eye: Undrafted rookie Hayden Large.
Johnson's penchant for 12 and 13 personnel is a big reason why he's invested in tight ends in his first two seasons as head coach, and last season we saw the beginning of what he can do. The Bears utilized 13 personnel at the fourth highest rate in the NFL and utilized 12 personnel at the sixth highest rate. So having capable tight ends on the roster is a must.
Large was a standout during rookie minicamp last weekend, where Mark Carman noted he "looked good catching the football." Johnson explained why Large was coveted by the Bears during the draft, as well as the moment he realized Large has what it takes to be part of this team.
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)
Q&A
Why did the Chicago Bears want Hayden Large as an undrafted free agent?
The Bears coveted Hayden Large due to his standout performance at rookie minicamp and his fit within head coach Ben Johnson's tight end-heavy offensive strategy.
What is Ben Johnson's approach to using tight ends in the Bears' offense?
Ben Johnson emphasizes the use of 12 and 13 personnel, which requires having capable tight ends on the roster, as demonstrated by the Bears' high usage rates of these formations last season.
How did Hayden Large perform during the Bears' rookie minicamp?
Hayden Large impressed during rookie minicamp, particularly noted for his ability to catch the football effectively.
What tight ends are currently on the Chicago Bears' roster?
The Bears currently have tight ends Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, and rookie Sam Roush, alongside Hayden Large.
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"He was one of the guys we identified well before the draft," Johnson said. "He's a player that we really liked. A quick story about him - we do a great job trying to recruit some of these guys that we think might fall through the cracks and go undrafted. So I actually called him before the draft and let him know that we had a vision for him. And when you take a tight end in the third round, you're kind of like, 'Oh, shoot, that might take us away from Hayden coming here.' And yet he didn't bat an eye. This is where he wanted to be. To me, that speaks volumes about how he's wired. And it has something to do with how he came to walk on at Iowa and earn him playing time and going through with the long, hard road. I really appreciate that and I think we got a good one there.”
But with Loveland, Kmet and Roush already in the mix, is there a spot for Large on the 53-man roster? Probably not, if Chicago opts to carry six wide receivers. But Johnson has also made it clear that all players have a chance to earn a roster spot, so a strong summer from Large might be his way to a roster spot, or at the very least a practice squad spot.
