Chicago Bears' way-too-early 53-man roster projections: Pass rusher still needed
Looking at the Chicago Bears' roster, and how many new additions will be infused this offseason, it appears we could see some surprises this summer. Let's take a safer route with the first 53-man roster projection of the offseason, however. Here's how Chicago's roster could look after roster cuts at the end of training camp. […]
Looking at the Chicago Bears' roster, and how many new additions will be infused this offseason, it appears we could see some surprises this summer.
Let's take a safer route with the first 53-man roster projection of the offseason, however. Here's how Chicago's roster could look after roster cuts at the end of training camp.
Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2023 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (2)
IN: Justin Fields, P.J. Walker
OUT: Tyson Bagent**, Nathan Peterman
The skinny: Fields and Walker are locked in at QB1 and QB2, but UDFA Tyson Bagent could give Peterman quite the scare as he possesses enough physical tools to earn a spot on the practice squad.
Running Back (5)
IN: Khari Blasingame, D’Onta Foreman, Khalil Herbert, Travis Homer, Roschon Johnson*
OUT: Robert Burns**
The skinny: This position is pretty cut and dry. Look for the rookie Johnson to make a push for some early action with a strong training camp.
Wide Receiver (6)
IN: Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney, D.J. Moore, Dante Pettis, Tyler Scott*, Equanimeous St. Brown
OUT: Jaden Blue**, Aron Cruikshank**, Thyrick Pitts Jr.**, Velus Jones Jr.
The skinny: The Velus Jones Jr. experiment comes to an end after just one season. Tyler Scott possesses the same elite speed, but is a more sound route runner.
Tight End (3)
IN: Cole Kmet, Jake Tonges, Robert Tonyan
OUT: Damien Caffrey**
The skinny: Anything different would be shocking, or the result of an injury.
Offensive Line (9)
IN: Larry Borom, Ja'Tyre Carter, Nate Davis, Teven Jenkins, Braxton Jones, Alex Leatherwood, Lucas Patrick, Cody Whitehair, Darnell Wright*
OUT: Doug Kramer, Kellen Diesch, Dieter Eiselen
The skinny: Much more talented group than the one Chicago had in 2022. Whitehair is a cut candidate because of his salary cap hit, but the Bears haven't been pinching pennies this offseason.
Defensive Line (8)
IN: Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter*, Trevis Gipson, Rasheem Green, Justin Jones, Dominique Robinson, Zacch Pickens*, DeMarcus Walker
OUT: Travis Bell*, Andrew Brown, Jalyn Holmes, Donovan Jeter, Terrell Lewis,
The skinny: The Bears made a concerted effort to beef up the interior defensive line in the draft. This should be the most competitive position group in training camp.
Outside Linebacker (4)
IN: Jalen Harris**, T.J. Edwards, DeMarquis Gates, Sterling Weatherford
OUT: Kuony Deng
The skinny: UDFA Jalen Harris has all of the tools to be the surprise of Bears camp. Gates and Weatherford will likely battle it out after Chicago inks a free agent pass rusher.
Inside Linebacker (3)
IN: Tremaine Edmunds, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell*
OUT: Dylan Cole
The skinny: Sewell should provide Sanborn with some competition in camp. Cole, while experienced, probably loses out to the cheaper and younger option in Sewell.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, Jaylon Jones, Terell Smith*, Tyrique Stevenson*, Kindle Vildor
OUT: Josh Blackwell, Michael Ojemudia, Greg Stroman
The skinny: Two rookies look to carve out significant roles for themselves in what should be a hotly contested position battle. The four returning cornerbacks will be under some pressure heading into training camp.
Safety (4)
IN: Jaquan Brisker, Adrian Colbert, Elijah Hicks, Eddie Jackson
OUT: A.J. Thomas, Kendall Williamson*
The skinny: Williamson and Thomas will have an opportunity to beat out Hicks and Colbert, but it's hard to view them as the favorites to land one of their spots.
Special Teams (3)
IN: Ryan Anderson (P), Cairo Santos (K), Patrick Scales (LS)
OUT: Trenton Gill (P)
The skinny: Anderson must earn the job in training camp, but Santos and Scales are roster locks.
