Player Page

Weather | Roster

Craig Steltz | Defensive Back

Team: Chicago Bears
Age / DOB:  (27) / 5/7/1986
Ht / Wt:  6'1' / 210
College: LSU
Contract: view contract details
Share: 

Latest News

Recent News

Bears S Craig Steltz underwent surgery on December 15 to repair a torn right pectoral tendon.
Steltz has shed his arm sling and is expected to be fully recovered for the Bears' offseason program. The 26-year-old will likely return as a backup safety and special teamer for 2013. Jan 15 - 7:01 PM
Source: ESPN Chicago

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

Bears placed S Craig Steltz (pectoral) and CB Sherrick McManis (knee) on season-ending injured reserve.

Steltz suffered a right pectoral injury tackling Christian Ballard on a rare defensive lineman kickoff return. Steltz was a backup safety and the team's seventh defensive back while McManis was purely a special teamer. McManis is believed to have sustained a PCL injury. Both players are under contract at a cheap rate for the 2013 season.
Related: Sherrick McManis
Tue, Dec 11, 2012 02:08:00 PM
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

Bears re-signed S Craig Steltz to a two-year contract.

The five-year veteran graded out above average across the board last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Although Major Wright and Chris Conte will remain the starters, Steltz is a valuable insurance policy and special teamer.
Source: Vaughn McClure on Twitter
Fri, Mar 16, 2012 05:31:00 PM
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

The Bears are planning on starting Craig Steltz at strong safety opposite free safety Brandon Meriweather this week.

Starting strong safety Chris Harris is a game-time decision with a hamstring injury while starting free safety Major Wright is expected to miss the game with a head/neck injury. Aaron Rodgers will likely be passing against backups at both spots this week. Rotoworld matchups guru Evan Silva notes that Jermichael Finley is a "Cover-2 killer" as well.
Related: Brandon Meriweather, Jermichael Finley, Major Wright, Chris Harris
Source: Chicago Tribune
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 08:58:00 AM
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

Bears fourth-year safety Craig Steltz will have an expanded role with S Major Wright (hamstring) sidelined.

Steltz was the starter for the team's first exhibition game, but suffered a high-ankle sprain and did not play again during the preseason. Said Steltz, "After being out a while, it's nice to get back out there and get reps and read your keys and get back into the swing of things."
Source: Chicago Sun Times
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 03:31:00 PM
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

Bears S Craig Steltz suffered an ankle injury in the team's preseason opener, and is considered "week to week."

Steltz was making a run for significant playing time prior to the injury, but it sounds like he may not play for the rest of the preseason. The Bears' top three safeties currently are Chris Harris, Major Wright, and Danieal Manning.
Source: Brad Biggs on Twitter
Mon, Aug 16, 2010 05:52:00 PM
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune is hearing that the Bears want to see Craig Steltz at free safety.

Starting Steltz at free safety this season could be a recipe for disaster. He's an intimidating hitter, but is often exposed in coverage and doesn't have much agility or speed. The Bears should continue to look to bring in safety help from the outside, possibly in the third round of this week's draft.
Source: Chicago Tribune
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 09:03:00 AM
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

Bears coach Lovie Smith identified Craig Steltz and Danieal Manning as his starting safeties entering OTAs.

The declaration is highly surprising, as Steltz hasn't proven to be more than a straight-line safety with some special teams value. Manning seemingly lacks the instincts to be a starting-caliber player. Smith's comments don't say much for Josh Bullocks, or incumbents Al Afalava and Kevin Payne.
Related: Josh Bullocks, Danieal Manning, Kevin Payne, Al Afalava
Source: Brad Biggs on Twitter
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 05:37:00 PM
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

Bears declared S Craig Steltz, CB D.J. Moore, TE Desmond Clark, DL Gaines Adams, WR Juaquin Iglesias, LB Lance Briggs, DL Matt Toeaina and OT Orlando Pace inactive for Week 13 against the Rams.

The Bears have a couple of bad injuries on both sides of the ball. They're hosting the Rams Sunday in a chilly Chicago.
Sun, Dec 6, 2009 11:54:00 AM
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

Bears declared S Craig Steltz, WR Juaquin Iglesias, CB D.J. Moore, LB Pisa Tinoisamoa, G Lance Louis, DT Matt Toeaina, TE Desmond Clark and DT Jarron Gilbert inactive for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

The Bears are in relatively good shape heading into this divisional matchup. Clark's spot will be taken by blocker Kellen Davis.
Sun, Nov 29, 2009 03:03:00 PM
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

Craig Steltz has fallen to third on the Bears' depth chart at free safety.

Steltz was talked up all offseason as the man that will replace Mike Brown. But Danieal Manning and Josh Bullocks were listed ahead of Steltz Tuesday. It may turn out that Kevin Payne slides over to free safety and Al Afalava moves to strong safety. Either way, Payne is the best IDP bet among them all.
Related: Josh Bullocks, Danieal Manning, Kevin Payne, Al Afalava
Source: Chicagobears.com
Wed, Aug 12, 2009 11:22:00 AM
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

Craig Steltz looks to be entrenched as the Bears' starting free safety following the indefinite loss of CB Peanut Tillman.

Corey Graham, Steltz's main competition, is switching back to corner where he'll compete for a starting job with rookie D.J. Moore, Zack Bowman, and Trumaine McBride. SS Kevin Payne remains Chicago's IDP safety to target.
Related: Corey Graham, Trumaine McBride, Zackary Bowman
Mon, Jul 27, 2009 11:31:00 PM
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

According to the Chicago Tribune, Craig Steltz has emerged as the best option to replace Mike Brown at free safety.

Steltz saw minimal action last season and didn't play extensively in a game until Week 17. He's known more for his ability to play in the box than cover the pass and didn't exactly look like a NFL starter last season. Even if Steltz comes out of camp with the job he'll likely be on a short leash.
Source: Chicago Tribune
Fri, Jul 24, 2009 09:25:00 AM
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

Craig Steltz has been running as the Bears' starting free safety in recent practices.

Steltz has been "one of the biggest climbers this offseason," according to beat writer Brad Biggs. Corey Graham, meanwhile, has been seeing time at corner, safety and nickel this offseason. Steltz looks like the early favorite.
Related: Corey Graham
Source: Chicago Sun Times
Wed, Jun 17, 2009 11:17:00 PM
Craig Steltz - DB - Bears

Craig Steltz and Corey Graham are competing to start at free safety for the Bears.

Graham has better potential as a cover safety, but Steltz has an edge in run defense. Josh Bullocks is backing up Kevin Payne at strong safety.
Related: Josh Bullocks, Corey Graham
Source: Chicago Tribune
Sun, May 31, 2009 12:26:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Jay Cutler
2Josh McCown
3Matt Blanchard
RB1Matt Forte
2Michael Bush
3Armando Allen
4Harvey Unga
5Michael Ford
GLB1Michael Bush
2Matt Forte
3RB1Matt Forte
2Michael Bush
FB1Evan Rodriguez
WR11Brandon Marshall
2Earl Bennett
3Eric Weems
4Joseph Anderson
5Brittan Golden
WR21Alshon Jeffery
2Marquess Wilson
3Devin Hester
4Dale Moss
5Terrence Toliver
WR31Earl Bennett
TE1Martellus Bennett
2Kyle Adams
3Steve Maneri
4Brody Eldridge
5Fendi Onobun
K1Robbie Gould
2Austin Signor