Chicago Bears Pre-Training Camp 53-man Roster Projection: Ben Johnson's first squad is filled with exciting additions and tough decisions
For the most part, the Chicago Bears are off for the summer until practice starts back up at training camp in late July following mandatory minicamp last week.The team will still hold a few more OTA sessions this week, but those are expected to be for the younger guys to attend to get some extra […]
For the most part, the Chicago Bears are off for the summer until practice starts back up at training camp in late July following mandatory minicamp last week.
The team will still hold a few more OTA sessions this week, but those are expected to be for the younger guys to attend to get some extra work in.
Which means, we've seen the last of the full roster, at least for the next couple of weeks. We learned a lot about how the new staff feels about the roster throughout OTAs and minicamp, which brings us to our latest 53-man roster projection.
Quarterbacks (3)
In: Caleb Williams, Case Keenum, Tyson Bagent
Out: Austin Reed
Analysis: Despite all the talk about a battle going down behind Caleb Williams for the QB2 job between Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent, I ultimately see the Bears keeping all three quarterbacks on the roster.
The Bears wouldn't want to give up on Bagent or let him potentially walk and Keenum is too valuable as well given his experience value. As for Austin Reed, he's an easy candidate to come back on the practice squad again.
Running Backs (4)
In: D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai*, Travis Homer
Out: Ian Wheeler, Deion Hankins**
Analysis: Still no notable additions to this room, although Ben Johnson named seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai as a standout during minicamp. The battle behind D'Andre Swift is still Roschon Johnson's to lose, but Monangai will keep things close when it comes to competing for snaps.
The toughest call here was Travis Homer over Ian Wheeler as the special teams ace. But again, I could see Wheeler coming back on the squad if he's cut. I'm still keeping my eye on a free agent addition joining this room by training camp.
Wide Receivers (5)
In: DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III*, Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay
Out: Tyler Scott, Miles Boykin, Samori Toure, John Jackson, Maurice Alexander, JP Richardson**, Jahdae Walker**
Analysis: Keeping only five wide receivers seems like a low number, but the Bears will be running a lot of 2-TE sets and 2-RB looks. That spells bad news for Tyler Scott, who already was seldomly used last season.
As for the five, this is a really strong room. DJ Moore will be the clear #1 with Rome Odunze on the outside. In the slot, it'll be a mix of Luther Burden III and Olamide Zaccheaus. Don't sleep on Devin Duvernay's speed being used on offense either.
Tight Ends (3)
In: Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland*, Durham Smythe
Out: Joel Wilson, Stephen Carlson, Jordan Murray
Analysis: The tight end room was the easiest position to cut down, even if Johnson had good things to say about Joel Wilson following the final minicamp session.
Once pads come on, Durham Smythe's ability to block and protect will set him apart from Wilson to secure the TE3 role behind Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland. And that starting duo of Kmet and Loveland is going to be exciting to watch.
Offensive Linemen (10)
In: Braxton Jones, Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson, Darnell Wright, Ozzy Trapilo*, Kiran Amegadjie, Luke Newman*, Ryan Bates, Doug Kramer
Out: Bill Murray, Theo Benedet, Chris Glaser, Ricky Stromberg, Joshua Miles, Jordan McFadden
Analysis: Ben Johnson has mentioned multiple times the desire to have up to 10 quality offensive linemen on the roster going into the season. Right now eight spots seem secure of the 10.
For the final two, I went with Ryan Bates and Doug Kramer. Bates was an interesting choice consider he hasn't been on the field so far, but he's someone the front office was high on adding last year. As for Kramer, it was between him and Bill Murray in my mind to see who offers more versatility on the interior.
Defensive Linemen (9)
In: Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter, Grady Jarrett, Dayo Odeyingbo, Andrew Billings, Austin Booker, Shemar Turner*, Dominique Robinson, Daniel Hardy
Out: Zacch Pickens, Chris Williams, Jamree Kromah, Xavier Carlton**, Jereme Robinson**, Jonathan Ford
Analysis: This position group had some of the toughest calls to make including moving on from Zacch Pickens and Chris Williams.
But, with all the new additions to the defensive front such as Dayo Odeyingbo, Grady Jarrett, and Shemar Turner, this is still going to be a deep and versatile room.
Linebackers (4)
In: Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Ruben Hyppolite II*, Noah Sewell
Out: Amen Ogbongbemiga, Carl Jones, Swayze Bozeman, Power Echols**
Analysis: The strongside linebacker spot alongside Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards is one of the few starting positions up for grabs with Ruben Hyppolite II, Noah Sewell, and Amen Ogbongbemiga vying for the role.
After hearing Johnson's comments on Sewell, I could see him sticking around on the roster and pushing Ogbongbemiga out.
Cornerbacks (7)
In: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Zah Frazier*, Terell Smith, Nahshon Wright, Josh Blackwell
Out: Ameer Speed, Shaun Wade, Nick McCloud
Analysis: The cornerback room will once again be really strong with Jaylon Johnson shadowing opposing #1's and Kyler Gordon patrolling the nickel.
The other spot will be a rotation between Tyrique Stevenson, Zah Frazier, and Terell Smith with Nahshon Wright and Josh Blackwell serving as depth options.
Safeties (5)
In: Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, Elijah Hicks, Jonathan Owens, Tysheem Johnson**
Out: Major Burns**, Tarvarius Moore, Alex Cook, Jeremiah Walker**
Analysis: Jaquan Brisker's return to practice is a major boost for this group lining back up next to Kevin Byard. Behind those two, the depth gets shaky.
Keeping Elijah Hicks and Jonathan Owens in the fold makes sense and I see Tysheem Johnson being one of the few UDFAs that makes the final roster.
Specialists (3)
In: Cairo Santos (K), Tory Taylor (P), and Luke Elkin** (LS)
Out: Jonathan Kim** and Scott Daly
Analysis: Surprisingly a change here. I've decided to keep Cairo Santos over Jonathan Kim but will take Luke Elkin over Scott Daly at long snapper given his previous history with Troy Taylor at Iowa.
