Chicago Bears 53-man roster projection ahead of the preseason opener, which players have been impressing throughout training camp
Players are starting to stand out.
The Chicago Bears are now 12 days of practice into training camp and the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins is quickly approaching. Over the last 12 practice sessions, we’ve learned a lot about the roster as a whole along with the coaching staff leading this team.
On Friday, the Dolphins will arrive for a joint practice, which will be a major test for both sides of the ball. On Sunday, the two sides will face off in the first preseason matchup.
With the Bears on a scheduled day off today, now is the best time to take a step back and assess how I believe the roster is looking based on all the intel compiled throughout training camp. So, here’s my latest 53-man roster projection.
Quarterback (3)
In: Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, and Case Keenum
Out: Austin Reed
Everything is locked up at the quarterback position. Tyson Bagent seems to have an edge over Case Keenum for the QB2 role over Case Keenum, but in a perfect world, neither player sees the field in 2025. Keeping Keenum is going to be key addition for Caleb Williams in the locker room.
Running Back (4)
In: D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai, and Travis Homer
Out: Ian Wheeler and Deion Hankins
This is the direction things seem to be headed. Ben Johnson is confident in having D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, and Kyle Monangai lead the ground attack for this offense. The only remaining battle is whether or not Ian Wheeler can outshine Travis Homer on special teams in the preseason.
Wide Receiver (6)
In: DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Olamide Zaccheaus, Luther Burden III, Devin Duvernay, and JP Richardson
Out: Tyler Scott, Miles Boykin, Maurice Alexander, John Jackson, Samori Toure, and Jahdae Walker
Based on the first 12 days of camp, these are clearly the team’s Top-6 WRs on the roster. Olamide Zaccheaus has earned himself some early playing time while Luther Burden III catches up. Devin Duvernay, despite his low price tag, will stick around as a return man. And so far, JP Richardson has earned a final roster spot in my eyes. I’m excited to see him ball out the next few weeks.
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Tight End (3)
In: Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, and Durham Smythe
Out: Stephen Carlson, Joel Wilson, and Jordan Murray
As expected, the same three tight ends remain in my projection. The duo of Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland have really shined throughout camp and we haven’t heard much about Joel Wilson like we did in the spring to push him above Durham Smythe.
Offensive Tackle (4)
In: Braxton Jones, Darnell Wright, Ozzy Trapilo, and Kiran Amegadjie
Out: Theo Benedet and Joshua Miles
Even though a battle is taking place at left tackle between three different players, I see all three making the final roster along with right tackle Darnell Wright. Whoever doesn’t start at LT will become the swing tackle and the other will backup Wright on the right side. Theo Benedet will be an easy practice squad addition after initial cuts.
Interior Offensive Line (6)
In: Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson, Luke Newman, Ryan Bates, and Doug Kramer Jr.
Out: Bill Murray, Jordan McFadden, Chris Glaser, and Ricky Stromberg
On the interior, I’m still going to go with six players, giving the team a backup at each position and 10 total players on the offensive line. The starting three is set with Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson. Behind them, the team will have Luke Newman, Doug Kramer Jr., and Ryan Bates with Newman and Bates offering versatility at multiple positions.
Defensive End (4)
In: Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker, and Dominique Robinson
Out: Daniel Hardy and Tanoh Kpassagnon
This seems like a light group on paper, but let’s remember Dennis Allen plans to get creative with how he uses all his defensive linemen, and other players, to create pressure on the quarterback. Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo will start off the edge with Austin Booker and Dominique Robinson as the immediate backups.
Interior Defensive Line (5)
In: Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr., Andrew Billings, Shemar Turner, and Chris Williams
Out: Zacch Pickens, Jonathan Ford, Jamree Kromah, and Xavier Carlton
As for the interior of the front, the Bears have four players who will see their fair share of snaps in Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr., Andrew Billings, and rookie Shemar Turner. Chris Williams has made some notable plays throughout camp to earn a spot over Zacch Pickens.
Linebacker (4)
In: Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Noah Sewell, and Ruben Hyppolite II
Out: Amen Ogbongbemiga, Carl Jones Jr., Swayze Bozeman, and Power Echols
At linebacker, I see the team only keeping four guys, despite having three on the field in certain packages. Right now, T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds will start at MIKE and WILL interchangeably and it seems like Noah Sewell as been the guy at SAM. Rookie Ruben Hyppolite II will therefore be a depth guy on defense, but a major contributor on special teams.
Cornerback (7)
In: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Nahshon Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith, Josh Blackwell, and Zah Frazier
Out: Nick McCloud, Shaun Wade, Ameer Speed, Tre Flowers, and Jeremiah Walker
While Jaylon Johnson’s leg injury was a disappointing development to start camp, it helped allow other players to step up at the position. Nahshon Wright, for example, has been taking the majority of first-team reps on the outside while Tyrique Stevenson and Terell Smith rotate. At nickel, Kyler Gordon will have a major role defensively with Josh Blackwell backing him up. One player to watch in the preseason is Nick McCloud, whom Dennis Allen mentioned by name earlier this week. I could see a world where he beats out Smith for a final spot.
Safety (4)
In: Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, Jonathan Owens, and Elijah Hicks
Out: Tysheem Johnson, Major Burns, and Alex Cook
I really wanted to find a way to get Tysheem Johnson on this roster but ultimately wasn’t able to at this time. Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks have still been rolling with the second-team defense at safety. I’m hoping Johnson can make some impact plays in the preseason to shake up this position. Speaking of impact plays, Jaquan Brisker has looked like an animal throughout camp.
Specialists (3)
In: Cairo Santos (K), Tory Taylor (P), and Scott Daly (LS)
Out: Jonathan Kim (K) and Luke Elkin (LS)
Status quo with the specialists, despite Richard Hightower claiming there’s a competition at kicker and long snapper. While Jonathan Kim has a stronger leg, Cairo Santos has been more consistent in making field goals throughout camp. The long snapper battle is interesting after Scott Daly missed a little time due to back strain. Hightower praised Luke Elkin for filling in, and it’s notable Elkin has history with Tory Taylor after playing together at Iowa.
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