Back in May, we took a shot at projecting the Bears' 2023 final roster. 

Now just over a month later, we know several things we didn't back then. OTAs are now behind us, and we are just a couple of months away from real football being played. 

With that being said, let's take another stab at projecting the final roster in Chicago. 

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: Nothing changes here. Walker fits the system better than Peterman so he wins the backup job. Bagent could end up on the practice squad. 

Running Back (5)

IN: Khari Blasingame, D’Onta Foreman, Khalil Herbert, Travis Homer, Roschon Johnson*

OUT: Robert Burns**, Trestan Ebner

The skinny: The four running backs and fullback seem locked. I just don't see Ebner making it over Homer due to Homer's special teams prowess. 

Wide Receiver (6)

IN: Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney, D.J. Moore, Dante Pettis, Tyler Scott*, Equanimeous St. Brown

OUT: Aron Cruikshank**, Daurice Fountain, Thyrick Pitts Jr.**, Velus Jones Jr., Joe Reed, Nsimba Webster

The skinny: Claypool, Mooney, Moore, Scott, and St. Brown are locks, meaning there is likely only one spot available. Scott can do everything Jones can do, and is a better route runner. Pettis gets the edge due to his special teams prowess. 

Tight End (3)

IN: Cole Kmet, Jake Tonges, Robert Tonyan

OUT: Chase Allen, Stephen Carlson 

The skinny: This group seems set. Due to Blasingame being on the roster, I can't see four TEs being necessary. 

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, Josh Lugg**, Gabriel Houy**, Lorenz Metz**, Robert Haskins**, Roy Mbaeteka

The skinny: Davis, Jenkins, Jones, Patrick, Whitehair, and Wright are locks. The final three spots could depend on this summer. For now, Borom and Leatherwood are the spare tackles while Carter can play any of the interior spots. This is a position that a UDFA could sneak into with a strong summer. 

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, D'Anthony Jones**, Jalen Harris**

The skinny: This is another group that seems set. Bell will likely be ticketed for the practice squad as a rookie. I can't see any of the UDFAs breaking into this suddenly deep d-line in Chicago. 

Outside Linebacker (4)

IN: Dylan Cole, T.J. Edwards, Jack Sanborn, Kuony Deng

OUT: DeMarquis Gates, Sterling Weatherford

The skinny: Edwards and Sanborn will be the Sam and Will linebackers while Cole and Deng provide depth and special teams help. Weatherford, Gates, and Deng will all be battling for one spot in all likelihood. 

Inside Linebacker (3)

IN: Micah Baskerville**, Tremaine Edmunds, Noah Sewell*

OUT: N/A

The skinny: This group is set as these are the only true Mike linebackers on the roster. Baskerville becomes the first UDFA to make this roster. 

Cornerback (6)

IN: Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, Jaylon Jones, Terell Smith*, Tyrique Stevenson*, Kindle Vildor

OUT: Josh Blackwell, Michael Ojemudia, Greg Stroman

The skinny: Gordon, Johnson, and the rookie Stevenson appear to be the starters. Smith cracks the team as a rookie, and Vildor provides solid depth and should challenge Stevenson. I would not be surprised to see Ojemudia or Stroman supplant Jones, but for now the young corner gets the nod. 

Safety (4)

IN: Jaquan Brisker, Adrian Colbert, Elijah Hicks, Eddie Jackson

OUT: Macon Clark**, A.J. Thomas, Bralen Trahan** Kendall Williamson*

The skinny: Brisker and Jackson are the unquestioned starters and are one of the better safety pairings. Colbert is a well-traveled veteran who can contribute on special teams, as can Hicks. For now, these two get the nod over the rookie Williamson and A.J. Thomas. 

Special Teams (3)

IN: Trenton Gill (P), Cairo Santos (K), Patrick Scales (LS)

OUT: Ryan Anderson (P), Andre Szmyt (K)

The skinny: Anderson has a cool story, as he has been out of football since 2019 and now gets another chance. However, Gill was solid for the Bears in 2022 and I don't see him getting cut just yet. Szmyt was a five-year starter in college and could challenge Santos but ultimately I believe Santos has the job for one more season. 

Featured image via © Patrick Gorski | 2018 Oct 28