Stephen

Paea

The Bears’ defensive tackle depth has diminished this offseason following the departures of Amobi Okoye and Anthony Adams, so Paea is ticketed for a larger role. Undersized at 6-foot-1, 300 pounds, Paea projects to back up Henry Melton and Matt Toeaina at both the three-technique and nose positions. The Bears also figure to add depth via the draft or free agency.

Melton’s stock has “been on the decline” since a hot start in September, according to Gene Chamberlain of the Sporting News. Paea has played well of late, and Matt Toeaina (knee) will soon return from a knee injury.

The NFL Combine record-holder on the bench press came to camp noticeably stronger after working out like a maniac during the offseason. He’s drawn early-camp praise from the coaching staff for his versatility, speed, strength and athleticism. “Toeanina’s going to have his hands full,” DC Rod Marinelli said Thursday.

He’s the top backup to NT Matt Toeaina and under tackle Henry Melton, and the trio will work in a near-even rotation. Though Paea struggled coming off a Senior Bowl knee injury for most of last season, he flashed when he played with 14 tackles, two sacks, and six QB pressures in 11 appearances (no starts).

The injury was poor timing for a player popularly picked to break out as the Bears’ new starting nose tackle. Matt Toeaina will likely enter the season as the starter, allowing Paea to get back up to full speed.

Paea missed a large chunk of training camp with the injury, but the goal all along was to get him ready for Opening Day. He’s ready, and figures to start over Matt Toeaina at nose tackle. Henry Melton is the three-technique tackle.

Paea sprained his left ankle Saturday and is expected to miss at least a week. Coach Lovie Smith confirmed that the second-year man has already done enough to keep his starting nose tackle job ahead of veteran Matt Toeania.

Paea has earned more practice reps this week. “A lot of quickness; the speed was great,” DL coach Marinelli said. “He’s always had a great motor, and he was very productive. We’re excited about him. He got his opportunity, and that’s everything in this league. When you get your opportunity, you’ve got to cash in. He did.”

Paea is listed at 300 pounds on the team’s official website, so he’s somewhere around 305 now. Paea was billed as a three-technique defensive tackle coming out of Oregon State, but the Bears moved Paea to nose tackle. The added weight is a necessity in order to plug holes in the run game.

Zac Stacy will be a legit RB1 play against the depleted Bears.