Ex-Cal TE Jake Tonges Makes an NFL Roster, But as a Fullback

Former Cal tight end Jake Tonges made the Chicago Bears’ 53-man regular season roster this year, but not in the way you would expect.

First of all, Tonges was not selected in the 2022 NFL draft, and was signed by the Bears as an undrafted free agent. The fact that he stuck with the Bears through the rookie minicamp and Organized Team Activities (OTAs) was a significant accomplishment.

Of the 19 players Chicago signed as undrafted free agents, only seven made it to training camp.

But then Tonges made it to the 53-man roster, something only three of Chicago’s undrafted free agents did.

However, the kicker is this: Although he played tight end throughout his Cal career, and was signed as a tight end, he is now listed as a fullback on the Bears’ roster.

So it was Tonges’ versatility as both a blocking back and the ability to play tight end and catch passes that enabled him to make an NFL roster as a rookie. He even caught a touchdown pass in one of the Bears’ preseason games, and he did it while running out of the fullback position and wearing No. 46.

Cal offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave did not have a qualified fullback to work with in his two seasons with the Bears, even though his system called for one. However, he often said that the tight ends on the Cal roster could fill the role of a blocking back when needed.

Ex-Cal TE Jake Tonges Makes an NFL Roster, But as a Fullback

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