Bears Sign TE Sam Roush to Four-Year Rookie Deal
Bears Sign TE Sam Roush
The Chicago Bears have signed tight end Sam Roush to his four-year, $7.35 million rookie contract, per Adam Schefter. Schefter referred to Roush as a second-round pick, but he was actually selected in the third round with the 69th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Roush was the last Bears draft pick to sign his rookie deal. The hold-up was a common labor dynamic where early third-round picks push for contract provisions typically reserved for late second-round selections.
Who Is Sam Roush?
Roush is a 6-foot-6, 267-pound tight end out of Stanford. Over four college seasons (2022-25), he appeared in 48 games with 34 starts, catching 119 passes for 1,201 yards and four touchdowns. He is not a deep threat, but he is a reliable target in short and intermediate areas.
Depth Chart Situation
Roush slots in as TE3 behind Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. General manager Ryan Poles called him "a really good addition at the tight end spot for a team that runs a lot of 12 and 13 personnel."
That multi-TE usage is not just talk. In Ben Johnson's first season as head coach in 2025, third tight end Durham Smythe still logged 293 offensive snaps, accounting for 25 percent of Chicago's offensive plays and 50 percent of special teams snaps. Roush is expected to fill that same role.
Fantasy Outlook
Roush carries minimal fantasy value right now. With Loveland and Kmet both healthy and entrenched, there is no clear path to meaningful targets in the short term. That said, his floor is real: a guaranteed snap share and a heavy special teams role in a scheme that consistently deploys three tight ends.
He is worth stashing on dynasty rosters given his size, scheme fit, and the fact that Caleb Williams is already speaking highly of him. If either Kmet or Loveland misses time, Roush becomes an immediate waiver wire name.