The Chicago Bears take on the Tennessee Titans in their preseason finale later tonight, the last game before the team turns the page to the regular season.

Most fans might not think this is a big game, and while there’s an outside shot Caleb Williams and some of the starters see the field based on how Chicago handled its third preseason game last year, this one isn’t about the starters. It’s about the players trying to earn a spot on the 53-man roster with roster cuts coming on Sunday.

These are players playing for their livelihood today, playing for their NFL futures, whether in Chicago or elsewhere. So let’s talk about four players who have been in Chicago for a couple of years now who could be playing their last game as members of the Bears.

Kiran Amegadjie’s time in Chicago appears to be up

First and foremost, former third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie, who’s on his way toward becoming the latest third-round bust of the Ryan Poles era. The Bears drafted Amegadjie out of Yale despite him coming off a torn quad because they saw the upside and the physical tools that said he could be a developmental tackle worth investing in. There was also the connection with Matt Eberflus, and everyone knows the golf course story.

Chicago has given Amegadjie multiple chances to prove himself worthy of a roster spot. Even with the new coaching staff, and credit to Bears head coach Ben Johnson for trying to give this guy a chance to stick around. But it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. There’s been an ongoing left tackle competition, and Amegadjie got his opportunity earlier in the preseason to start when Braxton Jones was sidelined. He did not take advantage of that opportunity.

With Jedrick Wills Jr. here as well, a player who has first-round pedigree and has actually looked pretty solid coming off a lost season due to significant injury, the path for Amegadjie narrows even further. The big thing with him this whole time was that he needed to be healthy to prove himself, and that’s why the Bears continued to give him shots. He was finally fully healthy throughout this training camp and preseason process, and he still hasn’t been able to prove himself.

The writing is on the wall. I think Amegadjie will not only fail to make this roster, but I would honestly give a practice squad spot to Wills over him right now. It’s time for Amegadjie to find greener pastures elsewhere and another opportunity with another team. He’s burned through the last of his opportunities in Chicago.

JP Richardson faces a crowded wide receiver room

I liked JP Richardson as a rookie when the Bears brought him in as an undrafted free agent last year. He didn’t get much of an opportunity, but he did shine last preseason and stuck around on the practice squad as a player Johnson liked and wanted to keep around.

The competition at wide receiver only increased this offseason. Kaden Davis is a guy who stood out and is going to make this 53-man roster. Jahdae Walker, another undrafted free agent from 2025, already made the roster last year over Richardson and looks a lot more polished in Year 2. Then you look at the other practice squad options who have impressed more than Richardson this preseason: Scotty Miller and Ray-Ray McCloud, veteran players the Bears would rather have for a championship-caliber team than a young receiver they wanted to keep developing. Maurice Alexander is another player who brings special teams value and has familiarity with Johnson.

It’s unfortunate for Richardson, but this could be his last game with the Bears unless he shows out and proves he’s worthy of a practice squad spot.

Terrell Smith faces an uphill climb of his own in the cornerback depth battle

Terrell Smith could end up as a practice squad guy and has an outside shot to get a final roster spot. He’s rotated in some, but injuries have been a concern with him, which has continued to be a recurring issue.

Smith is another former Poles draft pick (fifth-round pick back in 2023) that has starting experience with this team. But, he’s facing an uphill battle because the competition only increased in the room. Players like Dontae Manning, Beanie Bishop, and William Wright have gotten opportunities over Smith while he’s been sidelined. Smith did get action during Thursday’s joint practice with the Titans and should get plenty of snaps today.

The Bears are still trying to figure out the depth at cornerback, and I still think there’s an outside shot they add a body or two after waivers to bolster that spot. Smith could be on the outside looking in, and even making the practice squad isn’t a guarantee.

Stephen Carlson’s practice squad streak could end

Tight end Stephen Carlson has been with the Bears since 2023, consistently sticking around on the practice squad with a couple of call-ups onto the game day roster from time to time. But I don’t think Carlson makes it this year.

The Bears already have three tight ends who are locks: Cole Kmet, Colson Loveland, and Sam Roush. The player to watch for the practice squad spot is Hayden Large, the undrafted free agent out of Iowa whom Johnson was high on coming out of the draft. Large brings more value as a blocker than Carlson, and that’s the same role Carlson already filled. Carlson is a good blocker, but Large has the potential to be even better and is a player the Bears will want to keep around on the practice squad.

Chicago very well could keep two tight ends on the practice squad, which would keep Carlson around. That will be worth monitoring, but I don’t see it happening.