The Chicago Bears have finalized the initial 53-man roster after yesterday’s cuts and other roster moves, but things are far from final. More moves will be made to the roster over the next few hours as Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson look to iron out this team.

One thing to watch out for is the Bears placing players on the initial 53-man roster on the injured reserve to open roster spots. Safety Coby Bryant is an obvious candidate, as is rookie tight end Hayden Large. The Bears could also opt to put offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo back on the injured reserve to continue rehabbing.

With the open spots, the Bears could chose to bring back vested veterans that were released (i.e. Jack Sanborn) or submit claims for players waived by other teams. Last year, the Bears claimed two players off waivers in linebacker D’Marco Jackson and cornerback Jaylon Jones. Here are four waiver wire names to watch this time around.

CB Reddy Steward

Reddy Steward is a player I have been banging on the table for all offseason and a player that frankly Chicago left should have let walk out of the door. Steward was a UDFA addition by the Bears in 2024 and had a strong preseason with the team. He remained on the practice squad before following Matt Eberflus to the Dallas Cowboys.

Steward started five games last season and appeared in all 17 games. He struggled at times in coverage, but was a solid run defender from the nickel position. The Bears do have options at nickel, despite keeping Kyler Gordon on the PUP, with Malik Muhammad II, Cam Lewis, and newly acquired cornerback Clark Phillips III. I’d still like to see the Bears kick the tires on Steward again and see what he can do in Dennis Allen’s scheme.

OT Esa Pole

If the Bears do in fact place Trapilo back on the IR (which I don’t imagine they’d do at this point), it’s worth watching out for a tackle addition. Kiran Amegadjie and Jedrick Wills Jr. were both cut leaving Braxton Jones, Darnell Wright, and Theo Benedet as the only remaining tackles on the 53-man roster outside of Trapilo.

Esa Pole is a name that should have plenty of attention on the waiver wire and I’m surprised to see the Kansas City Chiefs expose him for the second year in a row (the Jets ended up actually claiming him before he made his way back to K.C.). Pole played 275 snaps at left tackle in the regular season last year and could be a solid backup option behind Jones if Trapilo ends up on the IR.

DE Chris Braswell

I’m not too impressed with the defensive end room the Bears have on the initial 53-man roster, which features the following players: Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, Jamree Kromah, and Daniel Hardy. Especially with Booker dealing with a week-to-week groin injury.

One player I wouldn’t mind adding is Chris Braswell, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-round pick from 2024. Braswell played all 17 games in each of the last two seasons totaling 2.5 sacks and 12 QB hits. I’d kick the tires on that kind of guy.

DB Kapena Gushiken

The last player I’d personally want to bring in is Kapena Gushiken. Gushiken was getting first-team reps with the Philadelphia Eagles during a portion of camp and can play all over the entire secondary and also can flash on special teams.

Ben Johnson noted the safety position is still one the staff is uncertain about after keeping Xavier Woods, Elijah Hicks, and UDFA Skyler Thomas along with Lewis and first-round rookie Dillon Thieneman. Gushiken could be an exciting add as a versatile defensive back that actually brings special teams upside.