Four players who have the most to prove at Chicago Bears' training camp in order to play a big role in 2024
The Chicago Bears are a little over a month away from kicking of training camp at Halas Hall and excitement continues to be in the air.The Bears rookies will report back to practice on July 16th with the veterans arriving on July 19th. The start of training camp also means the start of the filming […]
The Chicago Bears are a little over a month away from kicking of training camp at Halas Hall and excitement continues to be in the air.
The Bears rookies will report back to practice on July 16th with the veterans arriving on July 19th. The start of training camp also means the start of the filming for HBO's hit documentary series Hard Knocks. A lot will be going on in Chicago next month, but on the field everything remains the same for the players.
When the next phase of the offseason program kicks off, many players on the roster will use the opportunity to show out with hopes of landing on the 53-man roster. Among those with decent chances of already making the roster, here are four who will be looking to earn a larger role on the team while at training camp.
1. WR Tyler Scott
Among all of the wide receivers in the Bears crowded room, second-year Tyler Scott has had the fewest buzz out of any of them this summer. Throughout minicamp, we heard a lot of good things about DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze of course, but we also got some good reviews about receivers like Velus Jones Jr.
Scott's name has been oddly quiet for someone who is expected to be listed as the team's fourth wide receiver on the depth chart. After a rookie year where he compiled 17 receptions and 168 yards, Scott is looking to become a much more reliable option in the passing game in 2024.
Scott has a lot of good traits to his game, including his speed, that he was able to show off at times during his first season in Chicago. If he can learn more about the nuanced mechanics of the position from a veteran like Allen at training camp, he can look to create more opportunities for himself within Shane Waldron's offense.
2. RB Khalil Herbert
From what we saw out of OTAs and minicamp, the Bears are going to use new running back D'Andre Swift a lot on offense. That could lead to a smaller role for the other players in the backfield, most notably Khalil Herbert.
Herbert had his opportunity to lead the Bears backfield during the 2023 season but suffered through a hamstring injury for a good portion of the season. Now, he'll be playing behind Swift on the depth chart and fighting for touches with second-year running back Roschon Johnson.
Major outlets continue to suggest that Herbert could be on the roster bubble heading into training camp and a strong showing won't just help secure a spot on the roster, it could grant him more snaps on offense. If he's not able to do so, the Bears might be better off looking for a potential trade partner instead of releasing him outright.
3. RB Ian Wheeler
The Bears paid a handsome contract (as far as UDFA signings go) to add former Howard running back Ian Wheeler to the team after the 2024 NFL Draft concluded. There has to be good reason for that, and we started to see some of it during OTAs and minicamp over the previous month.
Given his abilities to play multiple roles on special teams, Wheeler has a legitimate path toward making the 53-man roster if he can beat out veteran Travis Homer, who played 61 percent of the team's special teams snaps in 2023.
With a strong showing during training camp, Wheeler can really gain the attention of special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, who will be using the upcoming practices to further build out the rest of his units.
4. DB Elijah Hicks
After starting eight games and appearing in 32 over the last two seasons with the Bears, safety Elijah Hicks is potentially in jeopardy of being left off the 53-man roster due to a tight battle at the position heading into training camp.
While Hicks was seen lining up multiple times with the second-team defense during last month or so of practice, two free agent signees could make the spot a close call when it comes to deciding who survives the roster cuts. Former Green Bay Packers starting safety Jonathan Owens seems secure on the roster, but former San Francisco 49ers depth player and special teams ace Tarvarius Moore could be the one to push Hicks for the spot considering his prior connections with Hightower.
It also doesn't help that Hicks allowed four touchdowns on 14 targets during the 2023 season, according to Pro Football Focus. If he wants to retain his role as a backup at the position this season, he'll need to make some plays during training camp.
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They’ll need to step it up.
