As the Chicago Bears gear up for training camp under the fresh leadership of first-year head coach Ben Johnson, the excitement surrounding the roster is palpable. With a finalized 91-man roster that includes international exempt player Tory Taylor, the team is now tasked with trimming that list down to 53 by the end of August. As the dawning of a new season unfolds, there are both established names and intriguing competitors that fans will want to keep an eye on throughout camp.
The roster showcases a blend of certainty and competition across various positions, setting the stage for some spirited battles as players vie for their spots come cut-down day. Key areas of contention include the left tackle position, backup quarterback, linebacker, cornerback, and tight end, where the mix of talent could bring about some surprises as the Bears look to build depth.
Let’s take a closer look at the projected 53-man roster as it stands heading into the heart of summer training camp.
Quarterback (3)
- Caleb Williams
- Case Keenum
- Tyson Bagent
- Cut: Austin Reed
Caleb Williams is firmly positioned as the starting quarterback, entering his first complete offseason with the team. The Bears have added veteran Case Keenum to the mix, who will not only challenge for the backup role but also serve as a mentor to the young Williams. Tyson Bagent will be competing alongside him, making for a compelling narrative at the quarterback position.
Running Back (4)
- D’Andre Swift
- Roschon Johnson
- Kyle Monangai
- Travis Homer
- Cut: Ian Wheeler, Deion Hankins
In the backfield, the Bears maintained a stable approach, bringing in Kyle Monangai from the NFL draft, who will join established runners D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson. While Ian Wheeler captured attention last season, his journey with the team may end here as Travis Homer takes the final spot, thanks to his special teams prowess.
Wide Receiver (6)
- DJ Moore
- Rome Odunze
- Luther Burden III
- Olamide Zaccheaus
- Devin Duvernay
- Tyler Scott
- Cut: Miles Boykin, Maurice Alexander, Samori Toure, John Jackson, JP Richardson, Jahdae Walker
DJ Moore and Rome Odunze are set to be the starting duo, focusing on building their chemistry with Williams. Rookie Luther Burden III, although hampered by injury during the offseason, is poised to emerge as a versatile weapon in the passing game. Behind them, players like Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay, and Tyler Scott will be battling for crucial depth roles.
Tight End (3)
- Cole Kmet
- Colston Loveland
- Durham Smythe
- Cut: Joel Wilson, Stephen Carlson, Jordan Murray
The tight end group stands to benefit greatly from Ben Johnson’s penchant for utilizing 12 personnel. Colston Loveland, chosen at 10th overall, complements Cole Kmet well, providing Caleb Williams multiple options in the passing game. With the addition of Durham Smythe, familiar with Johnson’s strategies, this unit appears ready to capitalize on mismatches.
Offensive Line (10)
- Joe Thuney
- Jonah Jackson
- Drew Dalman
- Darnell Wright
- Braxton Jones
- Ozzy Trapilo
- Kiran Amegadjie
- Luke Newman
- Bill Murray
- Ryan Bates
- Cut: Jordan McFadden, Chris Glaser, Doug Kramer, Ricky Stromberg, Theo Benedet, Joshua Miles
In a significant upgrade, the Bears revamped their interior line with newcomers Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, alongside Drew Dalman. The competition at left tackle remains fierce, led by Braxton Jones, Kiran Amegadjie, and rising prospect Ozzy Trapilo, with Ryan Bates presently hanging on as a potential roster inclusion.
Edge Rusher (4)
- Montez Sweat
- Dayo Odeyingbo
- Austin Booker
- Dominique Robinson
- Cut: Daniel Hardy, Jamree Kromah, Xavier Carlton, Jereme Robinson
Aiming to bolster their pass rush, the Bears will rely on Montez Sweat to lead a group that includes new addition Dayo Odeyingbo. While Austin Booker demonstrated flashes of promise, the coaching staff will be keen to see if Dominique Robinson can maintain momentum from his impressive offseason into camp.
Defensive Tackle (5)
- Grady Jarrett
- Gervon Dexter
- Andrew Billings
- Shemar Turner
- Chris Williams
- Cut: Jonathan Ford
Chicago solidified its defensive line with the acquisition of Grady Jarrett, poised to complement second-year player Gervon Dexter and veteran Andrew Billings. Shemar Turner, a promising second-round draft pick, is expected to make his presence felt as the Bears work to fortify their run defense.
Linebacker (5)
- T.J. Edwards
- Tremaine Edmunds
- Ruben Hyppolite II
- Noah Sewell
- Amen Ogbongbemiga
- Cut: Swayze Bozeman, Carl Jones, Power Echols
The linebacker corps continues to be spearheaded by T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, who will look to lead a unit that’s adjusting post the departure of Jack Sanborn. Ruben Hyppolite II, a fourth-round draft choice, is set to challenge for a crucial role alongside Noah Sewell, showing that competition will be key in this group.
Cornerback (6)
- Jaylon Johnson
- Kyler Gordon
- Tyrique Stevenson
- Terell Smith
- Josh Blackwell
- Zah Frazier
- Cut: Nick McCloud, Ameer Speed, Shaun Wade, Nahshon Wright, Jeremiah Walker
This position group displays substantial depth, with Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson leading the way. Kyler Gordon, recently extended, is poised to step up, while the Bears have invested in potential sleeper Zah Frazier. For Tyrique Stevenson, this camp will be critical to reclaiming his footing after a challenging sophomore season.
Safety (4)
- Kevin Byard
- Jaquan Brisker
- Elijah Hicks
- Jonathan Owens
- Cut: Tarvarius Moore, Alex Cook, Major Burns, Tysheem Johnson
The safety position is set with Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, who each play pivotal roles on defense. With solid backups in Elijah Hicks and Jonathan Owens, the squad’s depth remains a significant asset, especially within special teams frameworks.
Specialists
- Cairo Santos
- Tory Taylor
- Scott Daly
- Cut: Jonathan Kim, Luke Elkin
Strengthening their special teams, the Bears are set to return their core trio with kicker Cairo Santos and punter Tory Taylor. There may be competition at long snapper and kicker, but the reliable performances from this group last season earn them a slight edge going into camp.
As the Bears embark on this journey through training camp, competitions will shape the future. Every practice will be an opportunity for players to prove their worth, make impressions, and ultimately fight for places on the final roster. With high hopes hanging over Chicago, fans are ready to see how this roster evolves as the season approaches.
