Taylor Gabriel has learned about more than just the technical aspects of being a wideout from receivers coach Mike Furrey.
The Bears receiver has also learned how to become more of a leader on his team, which is a reflection of how he’s bought into the culture that the Bears have in place.
“Just becoming more selfless,” Gabriel said about Furrey’s impact on him, via the Sun-Times. “Being that guy that shows up early and leaves late and helping guys and bringing the guys up.
“And that’s a role I have to be. I have to be that person, just because of the experience. I’ve been to a Super Bowl. And I know what that type of team looks like. And I know the efficiency of it — walk-throughs are not [perfunctory]. Walk-throughs are walk-throughs before a game. So everything is just tick-tack and being serious. [Furry’s] helped me become more of a leader.”
That leadership is important, especially on a team with a lot of youngsters. At 28 years old, Gabriel is one of the oldest players on the roster.
And he’s also, along with Cordarrelle Patterson, the oldest player in the receivers room in a group of young talent, including Anthony Miller, Riley Ridley, Javon Wims.
Which means that he’s someone that these players are going to look up to.
“I’ve never been that guy in camp,” Gabriel said. “I was behind Julio [Jones] and [Mohamed] Sanu [with the Falcons] and Miles Austin and Hawk [Andrew Hawkins, with the Browns]. So now when I come here, I’m that guy. I have to lock in. I have that type of experience to tell those guys, ‘You have to lock in. We need those plays.’
“I know it’s just practice and you false-start in practice. But if you do it in practice, you’re going to do it in a game. It’s being serious and taking everything like it’s a game.”
That’s more important than ever as the Bears are in the prime of their Super Bowl window. It’s easy to get lost in the success of last season. But it’s up to guys like Gabriel — and coach Matt Nagy — to remind those guys that they haven’t achieved anything yet.
That’s the kind of leadership the Bears hope Gabriel, and other veterans, bring to the team.
