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Sam Roush has called Stanford his home since 2022.
For the past four college seasons, Roush grew accustomed to his routine with the Cardinals. That consistency changed immediately when the Chicago Bears drafted Roush with the No. 69 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Roush recenlty joined CHSN to discuss the differences he is noticing in his first NFL minicamp experience.
"Yeah, I mean it's a big playbook for sure, bigger than in college," Roush said. "You know you kind of forget coming from college how challenging it is to learn a new playbook, so there are a lot of things you kind of take for granted, knowing where to line up, knowing the shifts and motions, knowing the terminology, even the calls in the run game too. I'm just kind of getting used to making all that automatic, so that I can actually focus on what the defense is doing and how I can use my technique, but it has been coming along and OTAs have been great for that and really appreciate the opportunity to come in the offseason and get some work in and get a head start on the season."
With Roush adjusting to his new setting, team and offense, of course the rookie has experienced his fair share of growing pains. That includes seeing the different sides of his head coach.
"Coach Johnson, the nicest guy ever off the field, and then you step on the field and he puts on this persona, and he's definitely an intimidating human being," Roush said. "I've gotten the death stare a couple times. You know, it is what it is, but being able to kind of push through that and focus on the next play that's what makes good football players and that's what I'm trying to be."
To help acclimate, Roush has leaned on his resources -- fellow tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland. Even though Loveland is just going into his second season in the league, Roush still values any advice his fellow teammate has to offer.
"It's been great to get his advice on stuff," Roush said. "It's his second year in the league, but he's a really mature cat. It's been a blessing to kind of be around him, Cole. Those are two guys that I look up to, and they have helped me a ton throughout the last five weeks."
Roush will have some time to get away from football since training camp won't start until late July. Once he returns with the rest of his teammates, he will embark on the start of his first NFL season, setting the foundation for his new normal as member of the Bears organization.
Continue reading...
For the past four college seasons, Roush grew accustomed to his routine with the Cardinals. That consistency changed immediately when the Chicago Bears drafted Roush with the No. 69 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Roush recenlty joined CHSN to discuss the differences he is noticing in his first NFL minicamp experience.
"Yeah, I mean it's a big playbook for sure, bigger than in college," Roush said. "You know you kind of forget coming from college how challenging it is to learn a new playbook, so there are a lot of things you kind of take for granted, knowing where to line up, knowing the shifts and motions, knowing the terminology, even the calls in the run game too. I'm just kind of getting used to making all that automatic, so that I can actually focus on what the defense is doing and how I can use my technique, but it has been coming along and OTAs have been great for that and really appreciate the opportunity to come in the offseason and get some work in and get a head start on the season."
With Roush adjusting to his new setting, team and offense, of course the rookie has experienced his fair share of growing pains. That includes seeing the different sides of his head coach.
"Coach Johnson, the nicest guy ever off the field, and then you step on the field and he puts on this persona, and he's definitely an intimidating human being," Roush said. "I've gotten the death stare a couple times. You know, it is what it is, but being able to kind of push through that and focus on the next play that's what makes good football players and that's what I'm trying to be."
To help acclimate, Roush has leaned on his resources -- fellow tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland. Even though Loveland is just going into his second season in the league, Roush still values any advice his fellow teammate has to offer.
"It's been great to get his advice on stuff," Roush said. "It's his second year in the league, but he's a really mature cat. It's been a blessing to kind of be around him, Cole. Those are two guys that I look up to, and they have helped me a ton throughout the last five weeks."
Roush will have some time to get away from football since training camp won't start until late July. Once he returns with the rest of his teammates, he will embark on the start of his first NFL season, setting the foundation for his new normal as member of the Bears organization.
Continue reading...
