Former Montana State special teams coordinator BJ Robertson, now the Director of Recruiting at the University of Nevada, once told fourth-year Chicago Bears defensive lineman Daniel Hardy, “If you don’t have the job you want, do a great job with the job you have.”
Hardy told Clocker Sports on Tuesday, “And so, that’s always been my mentality.”
Now in his third season with the Bears, Hardy is always looking to make an impact when he is on the field, and he has. However, he also would not mind taking on a larger role.
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Hardy mentioned his desire to be a starter when asked about making a positive impact and standing out on special teams, particularly amid the Bears’ 0-2 start to the season. That is where the lesson from Robertson comes into play, with Hardy embracing his current situation.
“I would love to be a starter on this defense, but I’m not right now,” Hardy told Clocker Sports on Tuesday after practice. “So, I just find the best ways that I can help the team, and that’s going and separating heads from shoulders on kickoff.”
He still makes plays when on defense, though.
Hardy has logged 9 total tackles in four games with one start this season. He spent his first season in Chicago on the Bears’ practice squad.
Through four weeks in 2025, Hardy has logged 92 special teams snaps and 13 defensive reps, per Pro Football Reference. However, he played all 13 of his snaps in the Bears’ defense in one game, Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys.
He played 31 defensive snaps for the Bears in 2024.
Hardy is also a staple in all phases of the Bears’ special teams units. He plays on both kickoff and punt coverage and return teams, and both field goal and point after units.
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The No. 235 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, Hardy logged a career-high 41 snaps as a rookie. He also has 0 career sacks. Still, his approach and versatility are assets for the Bears.
He has lined up at both defensive end spots, the LEO role (preseason) position, and both outside backer positions, per Pro Football Focus.
“You gotta get in where you can fit in, man. We got a loaded roster. You gotta find places and ways you can get on the field. Played a little bit of linebacker in college with that SAM [strongside] position. So, it’s not completely foreign, but it’s been a long time. But you know, just worked on it a little bit during training camp. We just work at it, work at it, work at it,” Hardy told Clocker Sports.
“Just going back and forth, being able to flip my mind between linebacker and D-end, it’s been a little bit confusing at times. But we’re working through it. So, I think we’re in a good spot and I like the type of position that I’ve been able to carve out for myself.”
Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is not shy about using Hardy in unconventional ways, either.
The Bears may use different position names, but they have taken advantage of that versatility.
“There’s some things that are similar [between defensive end and SAM LB]. But they’re different in the ways that they’re similar, in terms of your eye progression, even just your stance from standing up. I’m still on the line of scrimmage, but your mechanics changed a little bit,” Hardy said when asked if there were any aspects that translated.
“That was just kind of a learning process. And like I said, I think we’re in a good spot, and you just keep working towards being better and better every day.”
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Hardy was also asked about keeping the team in the right headspace during rougher moments, such as their 0-2 start to the season. He noted that it is a challenge due to his limited role, but that keeping the same mindset is key.
“It’s just next play mentality. That’s all you can do. We have no bearing on what happens necessarily on offense and defense. We can help out, but it’s just one play at a time. Just play the play that’s in front of you, and don’t get too caught up in everything that’s going on around you,” Hardy told Clocker Sports.
“You see, it’s not just me. We got a bunch of dawgs on special teams. But we go out there and play like the score is 0-0 every time.”
In Week 6, Hardy and the Bears visit the Washington Commanders on “Monday Night Football.”