UTEP alum Roy Robertson-Harris ready to break out with Chicago Bears

CHICAGO, Illinois -- We all know of Aaron Jones’ success in the NFL, but another former UTEP Miner is earning quite the reputation in the NFC North.

Chicago Bears lineman Roy Robertson-Harris is everywhere, when he's on the field.

But you may not have heard of Robertson-Harris. On a defensive line in Chicago with the likes Pro Bowlers Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, and now newly added Robert Quinn, Robertson-Harris plays about 50% of the snaps.

But Robertson-Harris doesn’t care about being overlooked. He was coming out of UTEP, where he starred from 2012-2015.

Despite starting for 3 years and jumping off the tape week after week, Roy went undrafted in 2016 and signed with the Bears as a free agent.

“You see a lot of other guys from big schools that are spread out," says Robertson-Harris, a captain his senior year at UTEP. "So the handful of us that are from UTEP and are in the NFL, it’s a blessing to be able to put UTEP on the map.”

In 3 years with the Bears, Robertson-Harris has 7.5 sacks. But when he’s on the field, you know it. And so do the numbers.

Last season, the Bears pressure rate on opposing quarterbacks was way higher with Robertson-Harris on the field (32%), compared to when he was off (24%).

For reference, that's the same gap between the 2nd and 29th highest pressure percentages between ALL teams in the NFL last season.

The pressure Robertson-Harris helps apply adds to more interceptions for Chicago's secondary. Last season, Chicago's TD-INT ratio was 9-7 with Roy on the field, compared to 8-3 with him off.

So while playing half-the snaps, Robertson-Harris' impact on the field has a trickle-down effect on the entire defense.

Robertson-Harris says he treats each opponent with equal preparation. But with matchups against Tampa Bay and the twice-played matchup with Green Bay lined up for this season, Roy is already looking to applying the heat on a few quarterbacks in particular.

“The fact that we are playing (Tom) Brady, I got to play against him in 2018. I had a hit on him," says Robertson-Harris of the new Buccaneers quarterback. "So that was pretty cool."

And Bears fans are well familiar with Robertson-Harris' success against the rival Packers.

"(Aaron) Rodgers I’ve sacked a couple times. I've been able to get back there a few times."

"So it’s always exciting to play against those guys. Guys that you’ve watched since you were a kid.”

As far as another Packer, Robertson-Harris played for three years at UTEP with Aaron Jones. And while the two remain close to this day, it's a little a little more fun meeting in the trenches.

“I know how he carries the ball. He’s going to stiff arm you," says Robertson-Harris of Jones. "I know everything that’s Aaron gonna do and he’s still gonna do it. Even if I’m prepared."

"Once the game is done then it’s back to the 'Hey that’s my dude from El Paso.' But when it’s game time we're just locked in, it’s just a logo on the helmet and a number on the jersey.”

Robertson-Harris just signed a one-year tender to remain in Chicago, but he will be a free agent after this season.

And despite becoming a fan favorite in Chicago, it’s fair to wonder whether he could see more snaps and more money elsewhere.

But for Robertson-Harris, he’s loyal to the team that took a chance on the kid from UTEP in 2016.

“You know this is the team that brought me in and trusted in me to make the roster my first year, and then contribute these last few years. I’m not down on anything."

Robertson-Harris says he had interest from other teams about signing an offer sheet this offseason, but returned to Bears for another postseason run.

"Whenever my time is, my time will come. So right now I’m just being patient, there’s no rush to get out of Chicago and go get a big contract. Right now I’m just thinking about ball.”

Robertson-Harris is currently staying in shape and awaiting the birth of his second child, so it's an exciting time while he waits out COVID-19.

But whenever the season starts, defenses better pay attention to when #95 checks in.

If they don't, Roy Robertson-Harris will let them know.