Chicago Bears novice outlook: Can 6th-round pick Luke Newman be
Even after investing heavily in veteran offensive linemen in March, the Chicago Bears weren’t done boosting the security in front of quarterback Caleb Williams.
NFL offending lines constantly can use additional aid. Coach Ben Johnson has said it a number of times considering that he was worked with– it’s not just about having five great beginners but being able to go seven, 8 or 9 deep. Injuries often make that a necessity.
The Bears found extra help in the draft when they selected Luke Newman out of Michigan State with a sixth-round pick (No. 195).
Here’s what Bears fans need to learn about Newman before rookies report for training school Saturday.
How did he get here?
Newman concerns Chicago after one season at Michigan State and 4 at Holy Cross. In 2015 with the Spartans, he mainly played left guard for a team that ended up 5-7. He began all 12 games and got honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team.
Newman played left deal with at Holy Cross however made the transition to guard in order to bet a larger program. The 23-year-old saw it as a chance to show himself versus much better competition and reveal he might play in the interior, where he seemed probably to be successful at the next level.
The 6-foot-3, 308-pound Newman was not amongst the 329 prospects invited to the NFL hunting integrate in February. He did play in the East-West Shrine Bowl, providing him a chance to display his skills versus other top skill.
Where did he originate from?
Newman grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., outside Detroit, where he played on the offensive and protective lines at Bro Rice High School. He was a two-star hire in the 2020 class with virtually no interest from FBS programs and chosen to participate in FCS Holy Cross.
He saw minimal action throughout the pandemic-shortened 2020 season however became a starter the next year. From 2021-23, Newman began 37 successive games at left take on, and the Crusaders went 17-1 in Patriot League play during that period. Newman made FCS All-America honors in 2022 and 2023 and was a three-time All-Patriot entertainer.
Michigan State guard Luke Newman(70) sets to pass block against Michigan on Oct. 26, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich.(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)After graduating from Holy Cross in 2023 with one year of eligibility remaining, Newman transferred back to his home state to play for Michigan State.
“Holy Cross is home for me,” Newman stated after being prepared. “That’s the location that offered me my first shot and let me get my foot in the door in college football and let me grow and prosper as an individual and a player. Leaving was hard, for sure. I wanted an opportunity to display more of my capabilities at different positions and also take a step up and play against a few of the very best in the nation.”
Why did the Bears draft him?
The Bears spent the early part of the offseason revamping their offensive line. In a matter of days, they traded for Pro Bowl guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, then signed seasoned center Drew Dalman in totally free agency. With those additions, the Bears have 3 new beginners in the interior.
As far as depth at guard, the Bears still have Ryan Bates on the roster, although he missed out on most of last season since of injuries. Reserves Costs Murray and Chris Glaser each appeared in three games in 2024 and stay with the team. The Bears likewise claimed guard Jordan McFadden off waivers in January.
It’s unclear just how much faith the Bears have in Bates after he appeared in just 3 games last season. He didn’t participate in the on-field parts of the spring practice period either. Murray has been with the group considering that 2023 and started last season on the active lineup before going on hurt reserve in October. McFadden, a 2023 fifth-round pick by the Chargers, played in 13 games over 2 years in Los Angeles.
Newman seems likely to suit someplace amongst those players as a backup, a minimum of at first. He hung out this spring working at left guard.
What the GM stated
Offensive lineman Luke Newman (65)listens to instructions throughout Bears minicamp at Halas Hall on June 4, 2025, in Lake Forest.(Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) With positional versatility, Newman has the chance to be a valuable backup. The reality he has played guard and deal with, plus worked at center in the offseason, indicates he could turn into a jack-of-all-trades. Those kinds of linemen make great NFL backups since they can fill in anywhere when there’s an injury.
“We were actually impressed with (his) feet and hands; (they) were always in the right place,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said after preparing Newman. “(He’s a) physical, hard player that likewise can play guard and can play center, can handle communication. So we’re really thrilled about developing him.”
What he stated
On the topic of versatility, Newman kept in mind that he believes center fits his body type. His 31-inch arms are short for an NFL lineman, and at 308 pounds, he does not have the most significant frame. However the one location along the line where groups want to neglect size is at center.
“Guard has been more of my natural feel this past season,” Newman said. “But truly this offseason the main focus has actually been center. I certainly have a mutual understanding of how to play the position intellectually. It’s a brand-new playbook here and there’s a modification duration for that as well.
“I really believe that center, all in all, fits more my body type. It’s more of what my strengths are. I have that guard versatility also. However I really look forward to learning and adapting to center a lot more.”
Behind Dalman, the Bears also have Bates, Doug Kramer Jr. and Ricky Stromberg who can playing center.
What he needs to show throughout training school
The first goal for any player chosen on the last day of the draft should be just making the group. The Bears have just 53 spots on the active roster, and a sixth-round choice is ensured nothing.
If Newman can show he is, certainly, a flexible lineman efficient in completing at a minute’s notification, he might put himself in position to make the lineup. But the competitors will be strong for the backup offensive line spots, particularly after the Bears included three brand-new starters in the middle. It begins with knowing the playbook inside and out, then revealing he can deal with the workload on the field once practice starts.
With the majority of late-round draft picks, the hope is they can develop into factors in the next number of years. Even if Newman doesn’t make the lineup coming out of training camp, the Bears likely would try to keep him on the practice squad.