Without a doubt the best story of 2015 for the Chicago Bears was the unexpected resurgence of tight end Zach Miller. Here was a man who endured three years of utter hell from 2012 to 2014 where he saw his seasons end with injury before they even began. Most were calling the 30-year old damaged goods and no longer worth the investment of even minimal contracts. He never listed to them, continuing to work hard.

The Bears gave him another chance and he finally broke through, posting over 400 yards and five touchdowns in a reserve role last year. A heartwarming story of the value of perseverance. It would seem this success has inspired the organization to continue granting such opportunities to other players. Based on recent returns, it might be happening again.

For most current NFL fans, the name Garry Williams won’t even register a blip on the radar. It sounds more like an accountant or a science teacher. As it turns out he’s another connection head coach John Fox reached into the past for to help his present team get better. Back in 2009, Fox was still head coach for the Carolina Panthers and Williams had just finished his time at Kentucky.

During that time he’d helped usher the program through one of its most successful offensive runs in school history. They set a record with 475 points in 2007 with his at left tackle. A year later he put a bow on his tremendous college run by being credited with allowing just one sack during his entire senior season (missed two games with injury).

Despite that success it wasn’t enough to get drafted. It was however enough to draw the attention of Fox and the Panthers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent. He quickly worked his way up the depth chart and by 2010 had become a starter at right tackle.

Sadly things started to go wrong for him after that. Fox was fired at the end of the season and Ron Rivera took his place. Williams was still slated to remain a starter but broke his ankle in the final preseason game of 2011, landing him on Injured Reserve. A year later he again had to battle his way into the starting lineup but helped the Panthers go 12-4 and make the playoffs.

The euphoria didn’t last. In the first game of 2013 he tore both the ACL and MCL in his left knee. He tried one last time to get back the next year but suffered a back injury that landed him on IR for a third time. Carolina was forced to let him walk in free agency. Out of work in the NFL, Williams went north to the CFL and joined the Calgary Stampeders for their 2015 season. He continued to battle health problems but got back in time to help the team win a playoff game.

Realizing his chances of getting back to the NFL were fading, he decided to give it one last shot, calling on his formed coach in Fox, now in Chicago. Desperate for any sort of experienced offensive line help, the Bears brought him aboard their 90-man roster. Expectations weren’t high, but Williams was in and it seems he’s dead set on proving something.

Top performers through 2 weeks of the preseason 🏈

T: Garry Williams, CHI

G: Joe Thuney, NE

C: Travis Frederick, DAL

FB: Jalston Fowler, TEN — Pro Football Focus (@PFF) August 22, 2016

Something that has flown under the radar a bit is how strong of a game OT Garry Williams had in week 2. Looks to lead job at swing tackle. — Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) August 26, 2016

What a turn of good fortunate it could be for the Chicago Bears if Garry Williams is able to regain the form he had early in his career. There is no denying he was a good player. Like with Miller, it’s always been a question of health. Having a guy with 21 career starts under his belt as the primary backup to Charles Leno and Bobby Massie would probably make fans (and Jay Cutler) sleep better at night. To say nothing of how wonderful a story it is for him to have made it this far on what is undoubtedly his last chance.