The Bears could have a former Alabama standout as its presence in the NFC North.
Linebacker Reggie Ragland recently worked out for Chicago in his preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Despite the Bears’ need for an outside ‘backer,’ Ragland worked with position coach Tosh Lupoi during the 2015 season and took reps on the outside at the Senior Bowl.
Meet the hardest hitter in the 2016 NFL Drafthttps://t.co/l5tVU7GZgb
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 4, 2016
Brian Urlacher was the last staple at linebacker for the Bears.
The eight-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time first team All-Pro was an enforcer on defense for 13 years (2000-12), dating back to when he was selected in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
Ragland was on SirusXM Radio Wednesday talking about the teams that he has heard from. The 2015 Butkus Award finalist named Atlanta, New Orleans and Miami as the three that have spoke with him the most, while listing Chicago and Indianapolis as the two teams that have personally worked him out.
LB @ReggieRagland: I've probably heard from #Bears, #Falcons, #Saints, & #Dolphins the most. Personal workouts with the Bears and #Colts.
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) March 30, 2016
LB @ReggieRagland: More upcoming visits I have include the #Ravens, #Jaguars, #Vikings, #Rams, and the #Bills.
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) March 30, 2016
Getting Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan does bolster up Chicago’s defense, but adding Ragland creates a nucleus that can be a perennial Pro Bowl selection and start to building a playoff-caliber defense.
Ragland had 102 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, six quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles last season in Alabama’s run to a national championship.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
