From versatile backfield blocking to downfield effort, Bears tight end Hayden Large showed his full skillset in the preseason game against the Bengals. We break down the tape on his bid for a roster spot.
All 32 NFL teams must trim their roster to 53 players by Sunday at 5 p.m. CT.
With the Chicago Bears' final preseason game against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday afternoon, the team will have a quick turnaround after the road matchup to make key roster decisions.
One of the players who may be in contention to make the final cut is tight end Hayden Large. During the NFL Draft, Bears head coach Ben Johnson said the team had its eye on the former Iowa tight end.
“Yeah, 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.”
Large played 31 snaps, including penalties, in Saturday's preseason game against the Bengals.
[READ: Bears Film Review: What Stands out From Dillon Thieneman's Game vs. Bengals]
Here are some notable plays that could impact Large's future with the team.
Lead Block
What is enticing with Large is his versatility to line up in the backfield as a fullback. Here is Large showing patience as a lead blocker, getting to the edge and sealing the block on the defensive back. The Bears' tight end does a nice job of getting his hands on the Bengals' defender and he even gets in the way of the linebacker in pursuit.
Running back Salvon Ahmed gains six yards on the run.
Blocking Downfield
Large lines up to next fellow tight end Sam Roush on this play. Both tight ends run routes after the run action fake. Quarterback Case Keenum connects with Roush and Large looks for work. He sees the safety 12 yards away and takes an angle towards the Bengals' defender. With Roush working up field, Large finishes the play with a pancake block on the Bears' sideline.
It's a subtle detail, but Large consistently daps up his teammates and helps them off the ground after plays. Having spent his college career primarily as a blocker, that selflessness is a part of his identity, and it shows on the field.
Pass Blocking
Typically a tight end blocking a defensive end is a good way to get exposed in the NFL. Not on this rep, though.
Large held his own against Bengals defensive end Cedrick Johnson in this one-on-one snap. Despite giving up nearly 10 pounds to the 6-foot-3, 264-pound edge rusher, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound tight end wins the rep with his heavy hands and mirroring technique.
Reach and Teach
The first three clips are some of Large's best plays from the game, but he also had some reps that he wishes he could have back.
On this play, Large overextends to try and block the Bengals' defense end. Isaiah Foskey uses his left hand to swipe away the block and gets around Large. The Bears still gained positive yardage on the play.
There were some additional reps in the game that showed Large not staying connected with the block throughout the entire play. It's not an effort issue with Large. Better technique and angles should refine those mistakes.
The Bears will have three tights ends on the 53-man roster: Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland and Sam Roush.
Is there room for a fourth tight end with Large? Johnson likes to utilize heavy personnel packages, and an injury to any of the top three options would immediately test the team's depth and impact what the Bears' head coach can do on offense. Large's ability to line up in the backfield helps his case, as does his special teams experience. What hurts him, however, is a lack of receiving production: he caught just 14 receptions for 89 yards over three seasons at Iowa.
That makes Thursday's joint practice against the Titans and Saturday's preseason finale vital. These opportunities will carry weight as Large makes his push for a spot on the Bears' 53-man roster.
