Bears 53-player roster projection: Few questions to be answered in training camp, with one exception

Bears 53-player roster projection: Few questions to be answered in training camp, with one exception originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago

After more than two years of rebuilding, general manager Ryan Poles proclaimed that it would be difficult to make the Bears’ 2024 roster in training camp.

He wasn’t wrong.

In each of the last two seasons, we head into training camp with a series of position battles to watch. This is to be expected for a rebuilding roster.

But with the Poles injecting talent at all levels last year, the Bears will enter camp with few spots up for grabs. Most competition will come at the bottom of the lineup. However, there is potential open competition in the production of right-hand beer.

With the Bears breaking for the summer, here is the latest 53-man roster projection with just a few open spots.

Quarterback (2): Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent

Coach Matt Eberflus unsurprisingly announced Williams as the starter when rookie minicamp opened, and there was no competition for the No. 2 spot during the offseason program.

Williams embraced all aspects to be the face of the Bears franchise. While he had difficult times during the offseason program, your arm talent, accuracy, precision, and the aura glowed constantly.

Bagent had some good moments working with the second-team offense. His off-season goal of becoming a “more dynamic” pitcher could be paying dividends.

Brett Rypien or undrafted rookie Austin Reed will make the practice squad as the Bears’ No. 3 quarterback.

Running back (5): D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert, Travis Homer, Khari Blasingame (FB)

Swift’s signing went largely unnoticed this offseason due to the trade for wide receiver Keenan Allen and the draft that brought in Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze.

But Swift’s versatility will give the Bears’ offense another piece of equipment it didn’t have last year, when the running back rotation was seemingly decided by who performed best during each Wednesday practice.

The big question is how the Bears will split the positions behind Swift. Herbert has shown the ability to be a dynamic change of pace, and the Bears still have a lot of hope for what Johnson can become.

Keep an eye on undrafted rookie Ian Wheeler. The Howard product had an explosive return in college and could force his way onto the special teams roster, but it’s an uphill climb.

Wide Receiver (6): DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Tyler Scott, Velus Jones Jr., DeAndre Carter

The Bears’ signing of DeAndre Carter should alert Jones and Dante Pettis in training camp. Carter, 31, is a return specialist who appeared in four games with the Bears in 2020. Carter averaged 23.8 yards per kickoff return for the Las Vegas Raiders last season.

Jones is a good kickoff returner in his own right and will enter camp in good position to crack the lineup as the fourth or fifth receiver.

Carter could easily jump over Pettis during training camp if the latter spends too much time on the shelf due to lingering injuries. Pettis did not participate for most of the offseason program due to soft tissue issues.

I’ll give a nod to Carter, but it’ll be a pitched battle to watch.

Undrafted rookie John Jackson III looks like a good bet to make the practice squad.

Tight end (3): Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, Marcedes Lewis

Adding Lewis gives the Bears the No. 3 tight end they were missing.

Lewis, 40, is a respected voice in the Bears locker room and will round out a tight environment.

Open and close the box.

Offensive line (9): Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Ryan Bates, Nate Davis, Darnell Wright, Matt Pryor, Kiran Amegadjie, Coleman Shelton, Ja’Tyre Carter

The Bears have some questions at right guard, and I’d venture to guess there will be a real battle in training camp. Davis did not participate in most of the offseason program, which resulted in Pryor and Bates rotating primarily at right guard.

The initial plan was for Bates to be the starting center, but the Bears’ “best five” could end up being Shelton at center and Bates at right guard, especially if Davis remains in and out of the lineup.

The Bears hope Amegadjie is healthy enough to participate at the start of camp. If he is, how quickly he can pick up on things will make for an interesting side plot to training camp. The Poles have said they do not expect Amegadjie to compete for a starting role this season, but things could change quickly.

Defensive line (8): Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter, Andrew Billings, DeMarcus Walker, Austin Booker, Zacch Pickens, Jacob Martin, Keith Randolph Jr.

The Bears’ defensive line is still thin. It’s reasonable to expect them to add another reliable rusher in training camp, with old friend Yannick Ngakoue appearing to be the best option.

I thought Calais Campbell would have been an ideal addition due to his inside-out versatility and veteran knowledge. He signed with the Miami Dolphins.

The Bears are putting a lot of eggs in Dexter’s basket. They need him to take a big leap in Year 2 and become the “engine” of Eberflus’ defense. But they will also ask a lot of Walker and Booker to be viable, consistent threats alongside Sweat. Walker is a good No. 3 defender who can shoot inside on quick downs, but asking him to anchor the opposite side of Sweat might be too much.

Booker has the talent for providing meaningful photos freshman year, but he’s still raw, and the Bears don’t want to put too much on his plate early on.

On the interior, I’ll give the final spot to undrafted rookie Keith Randolph Jr. The Bears need another body at defensive tackle, and Randolph could be their best option.

Dominique Robinson will enter the field in the bubble and must show significant improvement to reach 53.

Linebacker (5): Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, Amen Ogbongbemiga

This is another open and closed position group.

Sewell will try to push Sanborn into the starting SAM role, but the Wisconsin product has a firm grip on the starting position after two productive seasons.

Corner (7): Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Josh Blackwell, Terell Smith, Jaylon Jones, Greg Stroman Jr.

The Bears have a nice double corner. Steveson will enter the season as one of the X factors in a defense that plans to go from good to great. Stevenson showed flashes during a difficult rookie season, but finished last or near last in receptions, yards and touchdowns allowed last season. The Bears need him to be much better this fall if their defense is to make a leap.

Stroman is a bubble candidate, but played well when called up last season and should be on track for one of the final spots when camp opens.

Security (5): Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, Elijah Hicks, Jonathan Owens, Tarvarius Moore

Byard and Brisker have already formed a quick chemistry. Byard’s versatility and willingness to play in the box will give the Bears’ defense a different look than it had last year with Eddie Jackson at free safety.

Veteran Adrian Colbert will face Moore and Hicks for one of the final spots.

Experts (3): Cairo Santos, Tory Taylor, Patrick Scales

This position group is ready.

Taylor impressed at camp with his plethora of punting tricks. The Bears were impressed with his mix of power and accuracy. Taylor has been working on more than 50 punts and wasn’t pleased when he went nine out of 10 in a recent drill.

Hightower finally has a weapon as a punter.

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