The Chicago Bears are fresh off of mandatory minicamp and entering the break leading up to the start of training camp.
The last week of practice was a great opportunity to see the entire roster in action and on the field for essentially the first time at Halas Hall.
Now that minicamp is wrapped up, here's an updated projection for the Bears 53-man roster, including which players could get cut after training camp.
Note: Players with one asterisk were selected during the 2024 NFL Draft, players with two asterisks were signed as undrafted free agents.
Quarterbacks (3)
Projected Starter: Caleb Williams*
Backups: Brett Rypien and Tyson Bagent
Out: Austin Reed**
Analysis: Caleb Williams from the get-go has been confirmed as the team's starting quarterback to open the season. OTAs and minicamp proved that to be the case with Williams taking all of the first team reps in practice.
As for his backup, it's still going to be a toss up between second-year quarterback Tyson Bagent (who served as QB2 in 2023) and veteran pick-up Brett Rypien. I believe the Bears keep all three guys on the roster for experience alone and to help Williams develop, which leaves UDFA Austin Reed as a practice squad arm.
Running Backs (5)
Projected Starters: D'Andre Swift and Khari Blasingame (FB)
Backups: Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, and Ian Wheeler**
Out: Travis Homer
Analysis: Mandatory minicamp proved that this is D'Andre Swift's backfield but the offense will still have a lot of usage out of Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson. However, Herbert's trade value and true role could lead to an eventual move.
As the weeks progressed in practice, more and more good news came out about UDFA Ian Wheeler's value on special teams playing multiple roles. Given that and his age, I see him beating out veteran Travis Homer for the role on the roster.
Wide Receivers (5)
Projected Starters: DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze*
Backups: Tyler Scott and Velus Jones
Out: Dante Pettis, Nsimba Webster, Collin Johnson, Freddie Swain, John Jackson, and Peter LeBlanc
Analysis: DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze are easily locked in as the starters on offense at wide receiver with second-year Tyler Scott mixing in as well. As the starting kick returner, Velus Jones is a lock as well.
As for the rest of the position, it's hard to see any of these other names finding a way onto the 53-man roster and I could see the Bears keeping just five receivers. If the team does find a way to keep a sixth, I don't see it being any of these players listed.
Tight Ends (3)
Projected Starters: Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett
Backup: Marcedes Lewis
Out: Stephen Carlson, Tommy Sweeney, and Brenden Bates**
Analysis: After officially re-signing Marcedes Lewis back for a record-breaking 19th season, the Bears tight end room looks set. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron will be pleased with keeping these three play-makers leaving Stephen Carlson, Tommy Sweeney, and Brenden Bates to fight for a spot on the practice squad.
Offensive Linemen (10)
Projected Starters: Braxton Jones (LT), Teven Jenkins (LG), Coleman Shelton (C), Nate Davis (RG), and Darnell Wright (RT)
Backups: Ryan Bates, Matt Pryor, Kiran Amegadjie*, Jake Curhan, and Ja'Tyre Carter
Out: Bill Murray, Doug Kramer, Jerome Carvin, Larry Borom, Theo Benedet** and Aviante Collins
Analysis: Spots are still open on the Bears starting offensive line but the players in play for those spots are clear. Coleman Shelton/Ryan Bates will start at center and Nate Davis/Ryan Bates will start at right guard with the other starters remaining the same.
As for the depth pieces, Matt Pryor and Jake Curhan have been a great pickups so far this offseason, Kiran Amegadjie will hopefully be back by training camp and is a lock to make the roster, and Ja'Tyre Carter has a lot of fans inside the building. This looks to be a much stronger unit to hopefully keep Williams up-right in the pocket in 2024.
Defensive Linemen (9)
Projected Starters: Montez Sweat (DE), Andrew Billings (DT), Gervon Dexter (DT), and DeMarcus Walker (DE)
Backups: Austin Booker*, Zacch Pickens, Jacob Martin, Dominique Robinson, and Keith Randolph Jr.**
Out: Byron Cowart, Michael Dwumfour, Daniel Hardy, Khalid Kareem, Dashaun Mallory**, and Jamree Kromah**
Analysis: The defensive front in Chicago is the only spot on the roster that might see an additional name get added between now and the start of training camp, but even that might not be necessary.
Following minicamp, the unit looks strong and the players I have listed as making the roster should feel safe about their spots. The only caveat is a veteran addition that could push Dominique Robinson or Keith Randolph Jr. to the practice squad.
Linebackers (5)
Projected Starters: Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards
Backups: Jack Sanborn, Amen Ogbongbemiga, and Noah Sewell
Out: Micah Baskerville, Paul Moala**, and Carl Jones**
Analysis: The Bears boost a top tier linebacker duo in Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards along with having a solid backup linebacker in Jack Sanborn who will play in various formations. The depth/special teams battle between Amen Ogbongbemiga and Noah Sewell might not have to be a battle at all with both players potentially being able to stick on the 53-man roster.
Cornerbacks (6)
Projected Starters: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson
Backups: Terell Smith, Greg Stroman, and Jaylon Jones
Out: Josh Blackwell, Leon Jones** and Reddy Steward**
Analysis: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson give the Bears a fantastic trio starting at corner and second-year Terell Smith was the first man to rotate in on the outside during minicamp. Greg Stroman is also a good player to keep with his experience in the slot to back up Gordon. I also like Jaylon Jones as another depth guy to keep on the roster.
Safeties (4)
Projected Starters: Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker
Backups: Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks
Out: Adrian Colbert, Tarvarius Moore, Douglas Coleman and Quindell Johnson
Analysis: The addition of Kevin Byard has already been a home run for the secondary and the season hasn't even started yet. His leadership paired with Jaquan Brisker gives the Bears two versatile safeties to patrol the secondary from anywhere on the field.
Jonathan Owens was another solid depth add by the front office in free agency and Elijah Hicks got a solid amount of second-team reps during minicamp.
Specialists (3)
Projected Starters: Cairo Santos (K), Tory Taylor* (P), and Patrick Scales (LS)
Projected Returners: PR Rome Odunze* and KR Velus Jones
Out: Corliss Waitman and Cameron Lyons
Analysis: The starting specialist for the Bears have been locked in since the draft ended. Rookie punter Tory Taylor looked like a legit weapon during minicamp and Cairo Santos and Patrick Scales are set to return.
