Jordan van den Berg identified as potential breakout for Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears rookie defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg is being highlighted as a potential breakout player for the 2026 NFL season. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler identified the sixth-round pick as a player who could “come out of nowhere” to significantly impact the team's defensive front.

Van den Berg, a former Georgia Tech player, has drawn attention for his high athleticism, recording a Relative Athletic Score of 9.99 out of 10. While he showed initial growing pains during OTAs and minicamp, he gained momentum during training camp and the preseason, notably performing well against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The team's confidence in the rookie was underscored by the decision to trade Gervon Dexter Sr. to the Atlanta Falcons. Although Dexter was a leading interior lineman for Chicago last season, the move suggests the organization views van den Berg as a key component of their defensive rebuild.