Dennis Allen already knows Bears DT Jordan van den Berg's next step
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Dennis Allen already knows Bears DT Jordan van den Berg's next step
Randy Holt, Bears Wire·Bears Wire
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2 min read
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When theChicago Bearsselected Georgia Tech defensive lineman Jordan van den Berg in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, it was clear why.
At 6'3", 310 lbs with raw physical tools that included 35 reps on the bench press and a 4.9 second 40-year dash, there was potential for a genuine game-wrecker at the draft's late stages. What wasn't clear, though, was how long it might take for van den Berg to establish himself as part of the defensive interior's rotation.
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Throughout camp, van den Berg drew enough positive praise from the coaching staff that it became clear that a role could be in store earlier than we might've thought. When theBearssent defensive tackle Gervon Dexter to the Atlanta Falcons on cut-down day, that was all but confirmed. Van den Berg will play a role as part of the defensive line mix, but Dennis Allen already has an eye on what his next stage of development will look like throughout his rookie year.
QB Caleb Williams
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
QB Tyson Bagent
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
QB Case Keenum
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
RB D'Andre Swift
(Patrick McDermott, Getty Images)
RB Kyle Monangai
(Joseph Maiorana, Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images)
RB Roschon Johnson
(Patrick Gorski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
WR Rome Odunze
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
WR Luther Burden III
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
WR Kalif Raymond
(Kamil Krzaczynski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
WR Zavion Thomas
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
WR Jahdae Walker
(Katie Stratman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
TE Colston Loveland
(Katie Stratman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
TE Cole Kmet
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
TE Sam Roush
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
TE Hayden Large
(Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen)
OL Joe Thuney
(David Banks, David Banks-Imagn Images)
OL Darnell Wright
(Greg Fiume, Getty Images)
OL Jonah Jackson
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
OL Garrett Bradbury
(Geoff Stellfox, Getty Images)
OL Ozzy Trapilo
(Dylan Buell, Getty Images)
OL Braxton Jones
(David Banks-Imagn Images)
OL Logan Jones
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
OL Jordan McFadden
(Denny Medley, Denny Medley-Imagn Images)
OL Luke Newman
(Kamil Krzaczynski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
OL Theo Benedet
(Chris Unger, Getty Images)
DL Montez Sweat
(David Banks, David Banks-Imagn Images)
DL Grady Jarrett
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
DL Austin Booker
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
DL Dayo Odeyingbo
(Katie Stratman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
DL Jordan van den Berg
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
DL Neville Gallimore
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
DL Kentavius Street
(Mike Dinovo, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
DL Jayden Loving
(Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
DL Daniel Hardy
(David Banks, David Banks-Imagn Images)
DL Jamree Kromah
(Patrick Gorski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
LB T.J. Edwards
(Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
LB Devin Bush
(Mike Dinovo, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
LB D'Marco Jackson
(Mike Dinovo, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
LB Keyshaun Elliott
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
CB Jaylon Johnson
(Patrick McDermott, Getty Images)
CB Tyrique Stevenson
(Scott Taetsch, Getty Images)
CB Malik Muhammad
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
CB Clark Phillips III
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
CB Josh Blackwell
(David Banks, David Banks-Imagn Images)
S Coby Bryant
(Geoff Stellfox, Getty Images)
S Dillon Thieneman
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
S Xavier Woods
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
S Cam Lewis
(Mike Dinovo, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
S Elijah Hicks
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
S Skyler Thomas
(Katie Stratman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
K Cairo Santos
(Jeffrey Becker, Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images)
P Tory Taylor
(Katie Stratman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
LS Beau Gardner
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
1/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
QB Caleb Williams
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
QB Caleb Williams
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
QB Tyson Bagent
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
QB Case Keenum
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
RB D'Andre Swift
(Patrick McDermott, Getty Images)
5/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
RB Kyle Monangai
(Joseph Maiorana, Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images)
6/53
Bears vs. Browns: Photos from Chicago's 34-10 preseason win
RB Roschon Johnson
(Patrick Gorski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
WR Rome Odunze
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
8/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
WR Luther Burden III
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
9/53
Chicago Bears training camp photos
WR Kalif Raymond
(Kamil Krzaczynski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
WR Zavion Thomas
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11/53
Bears vs. Bengals: Photos from Chicago's Week 2 preseason loss
WR Jahdae Walker
(Katie Stratman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
TE Colston Loveland
(Katie Stratman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
TE Cole Kmet
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14/53
Bears vs. Bengals: Photos from Chicago's Week 2 preseason loss
TE Sam Roush
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
TE Hayden Large
(Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen)
16/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
OL Joe Thuney
(David Banks, David Banks-Imagn Images)
17/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
OL Darnell Wright
(Greg Fiume, Getty Images)
18/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
OL Jonah Jackson
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
19/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
OL Garrett Bradbury
(Geoff Stellfox, Getty Images)
20/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
OL Ozzy Trapilo
(Dylan Buell, Getty Images)
21/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
OL Braxton Jones
(David Banks-Imagn Images)
22/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
OL Logan Jones
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
23/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
OL Jordan McFadden
(Denny Medley, Denny Medley-Imagn Images)
24/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
OL Luke Newman
(Kamil Krzaczynski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
25/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
OL Theo Benedet
(Chris Unger, Getty Images)
26/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
DL Montez Sweat
(David Banks, David Banks-Imagn Images)
27/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
DL Grady Jarrett
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
28/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
DL Austin Booker
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
29/53
Bears vs. Bengals: Photos from Chicago's Week 2 preseason loss
DL Dayo Odeyingbo
(Katie Stratman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
30/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
DL Jordan van den Berg
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
31/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
DL Neville Gallimore
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
32/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
DL Kentavius Street
(Mike Dinovo, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
33/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
DL Jayden Loving
(Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
34/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
DL Daniel Hardy
(David Banks, David Banks-Imagn Images)
35/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
DL Jamree Kromah
(Patrick Gorski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
36/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
LB T.J. Edwards
(Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
37/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
LB Devin Bush
(Mike Dinovo, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
38/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
LB D'Marco Jackson
(Mike Dinovo, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
39/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
LB Keyshaun Elliott
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
40/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
CB Jaylon Johnson
(Patrick McDermott, Getty Images)
41/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
CB Tyrique Stevenson
(Scott Taetsch, Getty Images)
42/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
CB Malik Muhammad
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
43/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
CB Clark Phillips III
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
44/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
CB Josh Blackwell
(David Banks, David Banks-Imagn Images)
45/53
Ben Johnson provides injury rehab update on Bears S Coby Bryant
S Coby Bryant
(Geoff Stellfox, Getty Images)
46/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
S Dillon Thieneman
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
47/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
S Xavier Woods
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
48/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
S Cam Lewis
(Mike Dinovo, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
49/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
S Elijah Hicks
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
50/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
S Skyler Thomas
(Katie Stratman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
51/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
K Cairo Santos
(Jeffrey Becker, Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images)
52/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
P Tory Taylor
(Katie Stratman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
53/53
Chicago Bears 53-man roster for 2026 season
LS Beau Gardner
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
"The No. 1 thing was how he came out of his hips when striking blocks and keeping his head up," Allen said. "He's got the skillset, physicality, and effort. Now it's about developing a finishing move, striking, disengaging, shedding, and getting off the block to make the play or get to the QB. With defensive linemen, you can have a lot of 'hidden production' where you're so disruptive you create opportunities for others. That's where he's at right now, and as we develop those finishing moves, that disruption turns into raw production."
Everything that van den Berg possessed, according to Allen, are things that they were acutely aware of when they traded a pair of seventh-round picks to move up to select him in the sixth. His size and athleticism are going to allow him to make the type of impact we don't always see, but one that will allow others more freedom to document some of it on the stat sheet.
Meanwhile, there'll be an onus on van den Berg to develop that finishing move that Allen notes above. Once van den Berg reaches the point where he can engage with an opposing offensive lineman and turn that engagement into a play on the ball, that game-wrecker label could immediately come into play.
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That we're already talking about van den Berg in this type of context speaks to the upside the Bears saw when they drafted him. Now with a clear pathway to playing time and a keen eye on his next frontier of development on the part of his defensive coordinator, the impact that was thought to be more long-term for Jordan van den Berg could be coming into focus much sooner.
