Chicago Bears Draft Linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II Addressing Key Defensive Need

The Chicago Bears surprised many by selecting linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II from Maryland in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, despite many experts projecting him as an undrafted free agent. Hyppolite impressed the Bears with his versatility, instincts, and maturity, making him a key candidate to fill the void left by veteran Jack Sanborn. He has modeled his game after Bears legend Mike Singletary and has also learned from NFL greats Navorro Bowman and Ray Lewis, the former of whom coached him during his final collegiate season. Hyppolite's strong performances in college, including 236 combined tackles over 50 games and a reputation for sideline-to-sideline speed, have given him confidence to prove critics wrong who believed the Bears reached on him. As the Bears prepare for training camp, Hyppolite's competition for playing time with Noah Sewell and Amen Ogbongbemiga promises to be a compelling storyline. With endorsements from his coaches and teammates, Hyppolite is seen as a promising rookie who could make an immediate impact on the Bears’ defense.