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Arkansas' Taylen Green broke a pair of NFL combine records Anthony Richardson Sr. set in 2023 before going No. 4 overall in the draft.

The 6-foot-6, 227-pound Green logged a 43.5-inch vertical and leapt 11 feet, 2 inches in the broad jump, uncharted territory for quarterbacks in the event.

For reference, Richardson — listed at 6-foot-4, 244 pounds — posted a 40.5-inch vertical and flew 10 feet, 9 inches in the broad jump three years in Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium.

Then Green ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, the second-fast time any QB has ever clocked at the combine.

NFL Network flashed a graphic on its broadcast comparing Green to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, but analyst Charles Davis quickly dismissed the notion that Green is entertaining a position switch right now.

"I just asked him very simply, 'With the day you're having and your build and everything else, have people approached you about doing wide receiver drills?'" Davis reported on NFL Network.

"[Green] said, 'No, they have not.' 

"I said, 'What would you do if people did approach you to do wide receiver drills?' ... He said, 'Absolutely not. I'm a quarterback.'"

It's a sentiment many athletic quarterbacks before him have shared, most notably two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, and admirably so.

But it's important to note that Jackson was a Heisman Trophy winner at Louisville. Green, on the other hand, didn't achieve nearly the same level of success in the collegiate ranks.

Interestingly enough, though, both played under Bobby Petrino.

Where did Taylen Green come from?

Green was a three-star prospect coming out of Lewisville High School in Texas. While there, he set the school record in the long jump and put up some nice dual-threat numbers on the gridiron. As a senior, Green threw for 22 touchdowns and ran for seven more.

He was the No. 660 overall recruit, including the 48th-highest rated QB in the 2021 class, according to the Rivals industry ranking.

Green committed to Boise State, where he spent the first three seasons of his college career. He redshirted in 2021 and then started a combined 22 games from 2022-23.

As a redshirt freshman in 2022, he eventually took over the QB1 job and helped the Broncos notch their first double-digit win season in three years. Green totaled 24 touchdowns — 14 passing and 10 rushing — and tossed only six picks, earning Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors.

His 61.3% completion percentage from that season ended up being a single-season career high.

In 2023, Green piloted Boise State to a Mountain West Conference title. Ahead of the 2024 season, he transferred to Arkansas, where he continued to showcase his athleticism but also inconsistency.

In six of the 12 games he played in this past season, he completed less than 60% of his passes. Additionally, Green was picked off 11 times, and Arkansas finished 2-10, although the Razorbacks were undeniably hamstrung by a defense that was eighth-to-last in the country with 33.8 points per game allowed in 2025. Still, Green's persistent scoring production, both through the air and on the ground, is noteworthy.

A record-breaking QB workout in Indy

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein described Green's delivery as "long" and "unorthodox" in his NFL.com prospect profile while also pointing out the 23-year-old signal-caller's tendency to put the ball in harm's way.

That said, it's clear Green can create off script, and he has the talent to make all the throws and perhaps the running ability to make up for those he misses.

But he needed a head-turning performance in the combine to draw Day 2 or early Day 3 interest. He delivered on Saturday.

As Richardson has showed so far in the NFL, however, athleticism, no matter how impressive, is just part of a complicated equation at the sport's most prestigious position.

Ultimately, Green's consistency as a passer, or lack thereof, will likely make or break his pro career.

The 2026 offseason is in full swing, and it's another important one for the Chicago Bears, who are looking to get back to the postseason in head coach Ben Johnson's second season.

General manager Ryan Poles has some work to do to shore up key needs on the roster. After overhauling the offensive line last offseason, the focus shifts to the defensive line, which is the biggest concern, as well as safety and left tackle. But there's some work to be done with the salary cap before the start of the new league year as Chicago is currently a projected $4.11 million over the cap. After three straight years of top-10 picks, the Bears will have to wait to pick in the latter part of the first round (No. 25) in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2026 offseason. Next up is the offensive line, which has only one question mark this offseason at left tackle with Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the 2026 season.

Who's on the roster?

• Joe Thuney
• Darnell Wright
• Drew Dalman
• Jonah Jackson
• Ozzy Trapilo
• Theo Benedet
• Luke Newman
• Kiran Amegadjie

The Bears had four new starters along the offensive line in 2025, and they revamped interior paved the way to success for quarterback Caleb Williams, running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai and the entire offense. Chicago acquired All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney and right guard Jonah Jackson via trades while signing center Drew Dalman in free agency. Second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo stepped into the left tackle role midway through the season, where he served as a bookend opposite right tackle Darnell Wright, who continues to ascend. The Bears allowed a league-low 25 sacks during the season (including the playoffs) and had the third-best rushing attack in the league averaging nearly 150 yards on the ground per game. Thuney and Dalman earned Pro Bowl nods while Thuney also was named First-Team All-Pro and won the NFL's inaugural Protector of the Year award. While Trapilo will miss most of the 2026 season, after rupturing his patellar tendon in the postseason, Chicago returns four starting offensive linemen.

While the Bears had one of the best starting offensive lines in the league, they also had some solid depth, including a few faces set to return in 2026. Sixth-round interior lineman Luke Newman didn't see the field much (he did step in at right guard for Jackson for a short time early in the season), but he'll have another year to develop with offensive line coach Dan Roushar. Kiran Amegadjie spent most of the season on injured reserve, but he'll be in the battle for that left tackle spot alongside Theo Benedet, who was just re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent.

Who's slated to hit free agency?

• Braxton Jones
• Ryan Bates
• Jordan McFadden

Braxton Jones started the 2025 season as the starting left tackle before his declining play and injury resulted in him being benched in favor of Theo Benedet, who was eventually usurped by rookie Ozzy Trapilo. Jones, a former fifth-round pick, has been a great value pick for Chicago serving as a three-year starter before losing favor with the team in 2025. While it was easy to expect the Bears to let Jones walk, Trapilo's injury has certainly changed things and they could opt to bring back Jones on a short-term deal while Trapilo recovers. Ryan Bates was acquired from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a fourth-round pick, and he's been one of Ryan Poles' biggest mistakes. Bates failed to carve out a starting role for himself in two years, and he sat on the bench as a reserve for 2025. Jordan McFadden has the best chance to be re-signed of this free-agent group given what he brings as depth to the interior offensive line. When Joe Thuney kicked over to left tackle, after Trapilo's injury, McFadden slotted into left guard and didn't miss a beat. While getting a good starting five in place is important, those depth pieces are equally important.

Who might join the Bears?

The Bears have one glaring need on the offensive line, and that's left tackle. While they could certainly add depth at other positions along the line, left tackle will be a focal point. The 2026 NFL Draft could be an opportunity to address the position for the long-term, but there are some veteran options for Chicago if they believe Trapilo is the guy moving forward, and Ryan Poles indicated they expect Trapilo to return healthy. There's not a lot of top options at left tackle in free agency, where Green Bay Packers left tackle Rasheed Walker is considered the top option. One in-house option for the Bears is bringing back Braxton Jones. Another option that might become possible is All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, whose current negotiations with the San Francisco 49ers could make both parties go their separate ways. If that were to happen, Williams should become the top target for Chicago (among other teams).

Position need: Moderate

The Bears overhauled the entire interior offensive line last offseason, alongside right tackle Darnell Wright, and the results were impactful allowing a league-low 25 sacks and paving the way for the third-best rushing attack. For a minute, it looked like the offensive line wouldn't be a concern after rookie Ozzy Trapilo stepped in and showed promise at left tackle. But Trapilo suffered a ruptured patellar tendon that will sideline him for most of the 2026 season. Now, Chicago has an important hole to address at left tackle, where they could turn internally (Theo Benedet or Kiran Amegadjie), re-sign Braxton Jones, turn to free agency for a veteran or even draft a tackle. Still, having four spots locked down on the offensive line is big for the Bears heading into 2026.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears 2026 offseason preview: Where Chicago stands at offensive line