Determining who handles punt return duties headlines 3 questions the Bears still need to answer after the preseason
The Chicago Bears' 2024 preseason came to a close last night with the team capping off an undefeated run while playing an additional game.Now, it's time to make the tough decisions to determine which players make the 53-man roster going into the regular season and which players get sent packing.Based on what we saw out […]
The Chicago Bears' 2024 preseason came to a close last night with the team capping off an undefeated run while playing an additional game.
Now, it's time to make the tough decisions to determine which players make the 53-man roster going into the regular season and which players get sent packing.
Based on what we saw out of training camp and the preseason action, the team also has three major lingering questions that they're going to have to answer before Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans.
Who will be the starting punt returner Week 1?
Who will return punts during the regular season is something the Bears hoped to decide by the time the final preseason game came to a close, but the decision still hasn't been a concrete one to make.
Following Dante Pettis' injury in practice this week, it's hard to see him making a case to make the 53-man roster. That opens the door for Deandre Carter, who has had up and down moments returning punts during the team's four preseason games.
The other viable option is using rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze in that role, which comes with some risk by overusing your WR3. Odunze, however, is an explosive player with the ball in his hands and returned one of his three punt returns for a touchdown during his college career at Washington.
Other players have also taken reps deep catching punts in practice including cornerbacks Tyrique Stevenson, Josh Blackwell, and Greg Stroman Jr. It'll be interesting to see who the team elects to use back there and whether or not they'll use a roster spot on a player to specifically fill that role.
What kind of addition will be made on the DL, if any?
Ryan Poles let the cat out of the bag that the team is looking into adding help on the defensive line after it was reported that the team was in on a Matt Judon trade.
Poles then made it clear that the front office will be monitoring other potential deals but did emphasize that he doesn't feel forced to make a move thanks to the play of the young depth players during the preseason.
Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy were the ones who shined the brightest the last few weeks. The question the team has to answer is, who makes the team between Dominique Robinson and Jacob Martin, who has missed time in camp due to injury.
Second-year defensive tackle Zacch Pickens' injury also is concerning for the depth on the interior, which could push Byron Cowart onto the team. If the Bears don't land a high-profile trade, I'd expect the team to look into the waiver wire and see if they can find another depth piece from another team after head coach Matt Eberflus' post-game comments on Thursday.
How improved is the offensive line going to look?
The battles are all but decided on the offensive line following Nate Davis' return and Ryan Bates' injury. Coleman Shelton will be the starting center and Davis will start at right guard while Bates is sidelined with a "week-to-week" injury.
When Bates returns, he will make for a high-end depth player at both positions. The team also got rookie Kiran Amegadjie back at practice this week after activating him from the NFI list and he could soon work in as the swing tackle.
The other depth player who should be locked in is Matt Pryor. The huge offensive lineman got solid reps at right guard and right tackle and will be used during the season in short yardage and goal-line packages. Bill Murray is one player who is on the fence but should make the cut after what he's shown this offseason. I expect the Bears will keep another tackle, whether it's Larry Borom (who was carted off the field last night and has a high roster salary) or Jake Curhan (who was signed this offseason).
Chicago Bears 53-Man Roster Prediction: Breaking down who makes the cut following the final preseason game
Things look clear following the last preseason game.
