When the call came, J.P. Holtz didn’t hesitate to get his things packed.

The Shaler Area and Pitt graduate was released by the Washington Redskins in early September and was scrambling to try to catch on with the Chicago Bears a few days later.

“It was pretty crazy,” Holtz said. “The call came out of nowhere, and we always knew that could happen. I was on the flight in a couple hours. I’m glad it worked out.”

Holtz, who played on an one-year contract with the Bears, hopes he can put an end to his days of moving. Holtz ran with his opportunity, making seven starts and seeing time at fullback and tight end in 14 appearances.

“I would love to stay in Chicago,” Holtz said. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen. It’s out of my hands. Whatever happens, happens.”

Prior to landing in Chicago, Holtz spent his first two years in the NFL on the practice squad for the Browns and Redskins. Before being released, Holtz appeared in one game with the Redskins on special teams.

Holtz said he was determined to find an organization where he would have an opportunity.

“You just put your head down and work,” Holtz said. “Control what you can control. Be determined to make it. I knew I was good enough, and it was all about the opportunity.”

Once Holtz landed with the Bears, he wanted to make the most of it.

Holtz caught seven passes for 91 yards. In Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys, Holtz led the Bears by catching three passes for 56 yards.

Chicago coach Matt Nagy praised Holtz and fellow undrafted tight end Jesper Horsted in a story on the team’s website.

“We’re trying to figure out the best way to use them,” Nagy said after the 31-24 win over the Cowboys. “I want to credit them, especially J.P. Holtz. Here’s a kid that’s come in here and done everything that we’ve asked, and he’s helped us out at the ‘Y’ position.”

In Week 17, Holtz was named offensive team captain by his teammates in what ended up being a 21-19 win over the playoff-bound Minnesota Vikings. The Bears, who finished the season 8-8 and in third place in the NFC North, swept the Vikings in the regular season.

“We feel fortunate to be in a position in Chicago where they understand the full range of his abilities, trust him with consistent playing time and expand him out into the passing game,” said Jeff Jankovich, who is Holtz’s agent. “This is just the beginning. … As a Pitt and Pitt law grad myself, it’s very rewarding to see how far he has come and fought to get to this point.”

Holtz hopes the fight he’s shown will be rewarded with more opportunities down the road.

Whenever the call comes, Holtz will be ready to move.

His family was happy to help him the first time.

“It worked out well,” Holtz said. “I lucked out. I was renting an apartment that was month-to-month. We ended up playing the Redskins a few weeks later, and my family was able to come down for that and help me move.”

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