BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Jonathan Bullard is entering his third year in not only the NFL, but in Vic Fangio’s defense. There’s a clear path to playing time that lies ahead, and from a bigger picture standpoint, Year 3 is often a make-or-break year for a young player’s future in the league.
“There’s no excuse any more,” Bullard said.
Bullard knows he’s in a competition, primarily with Roy Robertson-Harris, to be the third defensive lineman in Fangio’s base 3-4 defense. But this is different than a cut-and-dry roster battle; whoever wins will, yes, be the starter, but whoever loses will still rotate into the Bears’ defense plenty depending on the package (base, nickel, etc.