Updated May 10, 2026, 8:18 p.m. CT

Making the final 53-man roster in the NFL after going undrafted is extremely difficult. It involves putting in countless hours of behind-the-scenes work to impress the coaching staff and performing when the pressure is on.

Iowa had six players from its 2025 roster sign with teams as undrafted free agents following the 2026 NFL draft. Of those six, Hayden Large may have the upper hand when it comes to making the final roster.

Large was a tight end/fullback hybrid for the Hawkeyes last season. He excelled as a blocker, while making the occasional plays as a receiver. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end had 14 catches in his Iowa career, but he really impressed the coaching staff with his commitment to doing the dirty work consistently. It looks like that work may be paying off for him.

He signed with the Chicago Bears after the draft, hoping for an opportunity to show what he can do. As he did at Iowa, it appears Large is already winning over the coaching staff in the Windy City. Bears coach Ben Johnson spoke with the media earlier this week and had great things to say about Large.

“He [Large] was one of the guys we identified well before the draft. … He’s a player we really liked,” Johnson said. “I called him before the draft and let him know that we had a vision for him … a walk-on at Iowa, earning playing time and going through with the long, hard road. I really appreciate that. I think we got a good one.”

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.

While it’s great for Large to hear that Johnson had a plan for him, it’s going to be an uphill climb to make the final roster. Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet are already important contributors in that room. Sam Roush, a third-round pick out of Stanford, seems to have a good shot to make the roster in that room, too.

That means Large faces long odds to achieve his dreams of playing in the NFL. But if there’s anyone who will not back down from the grind, it’s Large. It wouldn’t be surprising to see his name on the Bears’ 53-man roster when it’s all said and done.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney