In the blink of an eye, the 2026 NFL preseason is over. It’s always amazing to watch the buildup to training camp and how quickly things start to move once all 32 teams report. For the Chicago Bears, it was no different. Despite the lack of storylines surrounding the team this offseason, it has felt like business as usual for them heading into Year 2 of Ben Johnson. With high expectations in place, is 2026 finally the year the Bears can be considered serious Super Bowl contenders? Only time will
tell, but for now, we’ll project the “final” 53-man roster and the 16 practice squad players that can be set starting Monday once waiver claims are processed.
Quarterback (3): Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, and Case Keenum
None of this list should surprise anyone. Williams is the starter, Bagent is the primary backup, and Keenum is the QB3, assistant coach, and Caleb Williams hype-man. The Bears clearly valued their quarterback room last season and will move into 2026 with the same configuration. Bagent’s hamstring status could dictate who is active in Week 1, but other than that, there’s no mystery here.
Practice Squad: N/A
Running Back (3): D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, and Roschon Johnson
Assuming Monangai is healthy and ready for Week 1, the Bears’ one-two punch will be the same as a year ago. Only this time, the optimism surrounding them is much greater. The primary focus of camp this year has been figuring out the RB3 role. None of the depth players have been able to stake a claim to it, and while I’d like to project Ahmed as the “winner” of this race, Johnson’s experience on special teams and the respect he has in the building might be enough to win him the job. That said, don’t be surprised if the team looks to upgrade this spot during the waiver wire process.
Practice Squad: Salvon Ahmed and Brittain Brown
Tight End (3): Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, and Sam Roush
The only real question with this group is whether they stick with the same number they had last year (3) or carry an extra player they worry they might lose to waivers. Regardless, this is one of the league’s better groups, both in talent and depth. For now, I’ll stick with projecting just three, with two on the practice squad ready to be called up (or eventually promoted). That said, don’t be surprised to see Hayden Large make the final roster due to his advanced blocking abilities.
Practice Squad: Stephen Carlson and Hayden Large
Wide Receiver (6): Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, Jahdae Walker, Zavion Thomas, and Kaden Davis
The Top 5 of this group have been set in stone, barring injury, since the team drafted Thomas in the third round back in April. The biggest question remaining is whether they’ll choose to keep an extra receiver. Heading into camp, I wasn’t sold they would, but after seeing the impressive competition, I’m projecting Davis to earn the sixth and final spot. Maurice Alexander is another name to watch for the final spot.
Practice Squad: Maurice Alexander and Scotty Miller
Offensive Line (9): Braxton Jones, Joe Thuney, Garrett Bradbury, Jonah Jackson, Darnell Wright, Logan Jones, Luke Newman, Theo Benedet, Jordan McFadden, and Ozzy Trapilo
The battle at left tackle might not have been as big of a disappointment as last year, but it’s not far behind. By default, Jones wins the battle, but with Trapilo coming off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list much sooner than expected, Jones will be on a short leash heading into October. In my other projections, I had the Bears keep 10 offensive linemen. Still, with Jedrick Wills Jr. and Kiran Amegadjie failing to stick out, Trapilo could stick on the roster into the regular season, even knowing it could be a few weeks before he’s game-ready.
Practice Squad: iOL Caden Barnett, OT Jedrick Wills Jr., and C Jaren Kump
Defensive End (5): Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, Daniel Hardy, and Jamree Kromah
In-Season PUP List: Shemar Turner
If all goes well, the Bears could have a logjam of options once everyone returns to full health. That said, we’ve seen how these situations play out, and no team will ever assume that everything will go to plan. Instead, the front office will keep five (including Kromah), keep Turner on PUP, and put Davenport on the practice squad. The Davenport situation has been weird because, despite being signed over a week ago, he has been a non-factor in team drills. Similar to what they did with Tanoah Kpassango last year, they’ll stash Davenport on the practice squad and wait to see if he can become healthy enough to contribute.
Practice Squad: Marcus Davenport
Defensive Tackle (5): Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr., Neville Gallimore, Jordan van den Berg, and James Lynch
NFL insider Jordan Schultz has linked Dexter to trade rumors. Still, unless something materializes, I refuse to believe the team would consider releasing him in the final year of his rookie deal. Assuming no trades are made, the team will likely keep four, maybe five, names, which leaves either Lynch or Kentavius Street out of the mix. Street has “started” each preseason game, but Lynch has had the bigger impact, which is why I’m taking him as DT5.
Practice Squad: Kentavius Street and Jayden Loving
Linebacker (6): Devin Bush, DeMarco Jackson, T.J. Edwards, Ruben Hyppolite, Keshawn Elliott, and Jack Sanborn
In most cases, keeping six linebackers doesn’t make a ton of sense, but with Elliott fresh off PUP and availability being an issue most of training camp, it could make sense to keep six bodies until they figure out the depth chart a little more. The bigger question will be who starts alongside Bush once the regular season starts.
Practice Squad: Jon Rhattigan
Cornerback (5): Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Malik Muhammad, Jaylon Jones, and Josh Blackwell
PUP: Kyler Gordon
Cornerback is a tough spot for the Bears heading into the season. Sound familiar? Health and availability from the top part of their depth chart have been spotty at best, and with the unknown status of Gordon moving forward, how they stack their practice squad will be key to the first month-plus of the season. For now, we’ll roll with five, but don’t be surprised to see an outside addition early next week.
Practice Squad: Terell Smith and an outside addition
Safety (4): Dillon Thieneman, Xavier Woods, Cam Lewis, and Elijah Hicks
Injured Reserve: Coby Bryant (Designated To Return)
This is yet another spot on the depth chart where it’ll be interesting to watch things play out. Every team can place two players on Injured Reserve with a designation to return (without them counting against the final roster total before the deadline). While it’s still unclear if Bryant will return this season, it might make more sense to “save” his roster spot by doing this. Thomas has shown enough to grab a practice squad spot.
Practice Squad: Skyler Thomas
Special Teams (3): K Cairo Santos, P Tory Taylor, and LS Beau Gardner
The only mystery in this group was at long snapper, but the Bears erased that early in the process when they cut Luke Elkin shortly before the start of the preseason. Barring the team wanting a veteran snapper (which should not be ruled out), this is the trio they’ll go with in 2026.
Practice Squad: N/A
