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What Ben Johnson Saw in Bears Defensive Lineman Kentavius Street
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- What Ben Johnson Saw in Bears Defensive Lineman Kentavius Street
Kentavius Street only played seven games last season, but that was enough to leave a positive impression on Bears head coach Ben Johnson.
Initially released by the Atlanta Falcons before the 2025 regular season, Street later joined the team's practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in November. In his limited play, Street registered six total quarterback pressures , two sacks, and 21 total tackles.
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"Coach Johnson was telling me he feels like I just had one of my better seasons last year, so I'm hoping I can continue to build on that," Street said via Zoom on Friday.
The Bears will need the 6-foot-2, 286-pound defensive tackle to build off his performance in the back half of the 2025 season. Chicago's defense struggled to stop the run and rush the quarterback, so Street provides defensive coordinator Dennis Allen with someone who can potentially help in both those areas.
During the 2022 season, Street had his best statistical season of his seven year career while Allen was his head coach on the New Orleans Saints. Street played in all 17 games and accumulated 19 total quarterback pressures, 3.5 sacks and 29 tackles.
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Street remembers the impact Allen had on him during that 2022 season.
"I think that year with him and Coach Nielsen was the first time I really realized that I could blend both systems," Street said. "It didn't have to be full-time attack, it didn't have to be full-time react. I could, with the knowledge of the playbook and being aware of what DA and Coach Nielsen wanted me to do in those certain situations to get certain backfill sets, formation flips, stuff like that. Just being able to have the awareness to take advantage of those times and being able to pin my ears back and just be confident in the player that I am. They really gave me a ton of opportunities to just go out there and be who I was. So, it's amazing."
What Street believes he adds to the Bears' defense is someone who utilizes speed and explosiveness whenever he is on the football field. He wants the D-line room to be a unit that attacks blocks, knocks offensive lineman back while playing on the opponent's side of the line of scrimmage.
If Street can help provide that type of play and bring that mentality to his new team, then he will give the Bears a much-needed boost on the defensive line.
