Breaking down how the top 3 roster bubble players can make the Chicago Bears’ 53-man roster
The Chicago Bears have one final preseason game remaining on Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs to help finalize the final roster spots and positional battles.That means tomorrow's game is likely the last opportunity for some players to prove they belong on the team's 53-man roster heading into the 2024 regular season.Here are three specific […]
The Chicago Bears have one final preseason game remaining on Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs to help finalize the final roster spots and positional battles.
That means tomorrow's game is likely the last opportunity for some players to prove they belong on the team's 53-man roster heading into the 2024 regular season.
Here are three specific players who are clearly on the bubble heading into the final preseason game and what they can do to earn a final spot against the Chiefs.
WR Dante Pettis
After rejoining the team this offseason, wide receiver Dante Pettis is right on the edge of making it through the final cuts this time around.
Offensively, Pettis has looked really good this offseason, hauling in five passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Pettis was able to step up and make a push for the possible last spot in the room with Collin Johnson missing each of the last two games.
However, earning that final spot isn't going to come from just being a contributor on offense. Head coach Matt Eberflus made it perfectly clear that he wants to see some of the bubble players prove they are a four-core contributor, i.e. produce on special teams. That's something Pettis has struggled to do in the preseason.
As a returner, Pettis has returned two punts for -3 yards and had one fumble that was recovered by the Texans in the preseason opener. He'll have one more opportunity to prove he can be reliable on special teams. If he can't, he'll be looking for a new home.
DL Khalid Kareem
The Bears have a really tight battle going on between the depth players on the defensive line while the front office continues sniffing around for outside help.
Daniel Hardy and Byron Cowart have looked impressive throughout the preseason, as has Dominque Robinson. The one player we haven't been able to see in a live game so far has been Jacob Martin, but even he had a lot of praise during minicamp.
Khalid Kareem, the fifth-year veteran, hasn't gotten much buzz at all this summer and could be left off the team after being signed as a free agent last offseason. Kareem has played in all three preseason games thus far but only recorded five tackles, one sack, and two pressures. A big performance against the Chiefs, who have allowed eight sacks in two preseason games, could get Kareem back on the coaches' radar.
LB Micah Baskerville
The second-year linebacker put together some really good plays on tape in the last two preseason games, but so has Amen Ogbongbemiga, Micah Baskerville's direct competition in the linebacker room.
It's entirely possible that the Bears keep five linebackers on the 53-man roster if Baskerville continues to shine against the Chiefs. Ogbongbemiga seems to have a leg up going into the final game, even with Baskerville having a defensive touchdown on his resume from the second preseason game.
The player really with the most to lose at the position this week is 2023 fifth-round pick Noah Sewell, who has yet to suit up in the preseason due to a lingering knee injury. We'll see if he gets on the field tomorrow and makes a late roster push as well.
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