Bears surprisingly sign lineman with 'unexplored potential' away from Patriots

The Chicago Bears have been aggressive about adding defensive depth this summer.

General manager Ryan Poles added defensive tackle Chris Williams and pass rusher Darrell Taylor last week, but he’s not done.

In a move related to Zacch Pickens’s groin injury (doubtful for the start of the regular season), Poles signed defensive lineman Sam Roberts on Wednesday, snagging him away from the New England Patriots, whom Roberts has been with during preseason.

News of the Bears signing Roberts was provided by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“Former Patriots DL Sam Roberts is signing to the Bears practice squad with the intention of being called up for Week 1, per source,” Schefter said.

Roberts turned heads during the Patriots’ final preseason game when he made eight tackles against the Washington Commanders. Roberts, a sixth-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, joins Chicago having played in 12 games for the Patriots (one start).

As Pickens works his way back into the fold, the Bears will rely on Roberts, whose value was not lost on some Patriots fans upset over his departure.

“Damn was hoping he’d come back,” wrote X user @TisTheJrueSZN, in response to Schefter’s post about Roberts.

“Arg!!!!!!! Surprisingly patriots let em go,” added @13isLucky13.

Roberts will carve out an imposing figure on Chicago’s defensive line, standing at six-foot-five and 300 pounds.

There’s a belief that Roberts’s full potential was not unleashed on the Patriots, something that the Bears have to look forward to. Erik Lambert of Sports Mockery commented on Roberts’s abilities in a new report on Wednesday.

“(Roberts) did have a sack and seven pressures in 86 pass rush snaps between 2022 and 2023,” Lambert said.

“There could still be some unexplored potential for the Bears to uncover. Ryan Poles knows he’s putting Roberts in capable hands with Eric Washington and Travis Smith, two proven defensive line specialists. If they can squeeze a pressure or two out of him each week this season, this will be a great addition.”

Roberts is expected to play for the Bears in Week 1 versus the Tennessee Titans.

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