The open-to-fans portion of the Chicago Bears training camp is over, there’s only one more preseason game on the schedule, and we’re one week away from the NFL’s official cut-down day (8/26), where teams need to have their 53-man rosters set.
At this point in the process, an injury is the most likely way to swing a roster spot, but that’s not to say it’s impossible that a player’s last week surge and a big preseason finale can’t earn a job on the 53 or the 16-man practice squad.
OFFENSE (25)
Quarterback
(3): Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum
With Keenum week to week right now, a stint on injured reserve may not be out of the question. We’ll see if he’s able to practice this week. But if he’s good to go, then he’s a lock, and keep in mind that the emergency third QB rule only comes into play if a third quarterback is on the 53.
Running back (4): D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai (R), Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer
The Bears have been content with their top four backs all offseason, but the lingering injuries to Homer and RoJo, and the new injury to Monangai, could throw a wrench into their plan.
Tight end (3): Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, Durham Smythe
I still only see these three making it, but a couple should find their way to the practice squad.
Wide receiver (5): DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III (R), Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay
These five have been locked in all offseason.
Offensive line (10): Darnell Wright, Jonah Jackson, Drew Dalman, Joe Thuney, Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo (R), Ryan Bates, Luke Newman (R), Theo Benedet, Kiran Amegadjie
I’m still going ten here, but Benedet is in and Bill Murray is out. The wildcard here is Kiran Amegadjie. If the Bears feel his upside is worth keeping, they won’t expose him to waivers. His inclusion in the left tackle competition ended when he missed about a week for a minor injury, which opened the door for Benedet to get more reps.
Special Teams (3)
Kicker: Cairo Santos
Punter: Tory Taylor
Long snapper: Scott Daly
Defense (25)
Defensive end (5): Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Austin Booker, Daniel Hardy
Dominique Robinson looks like a Dennis Allen defensive end, but Hardy has more value as a core special teamer. Allen has even talked DomRob up a bit, but I don’t see his value as DE5. Defensive end is a position I think the Bears could target on the waiver wire.
Defensive tackle (5): Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr., Andrew Billings, Shemar Turner (R), Chris Williams
If the Bears need to squeeze an extra player at another position, Williams could be the odd man out, but considering they signed him to an RFA tender, they must value him as depth. Also, just today, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen gave Williams a shout-out.
Linebacker (5): T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, Noah Sewell, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Ruben Hyppolite II (R)
No changes at linebacker from my first attempt.
Safety (4): Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard III, Elijah Hicks, Jonathan Owens
Hicks and Owens are core special teamers, and none of the other safeties on the roster will push them off the 53.
Cornerback (6): Jaylon Johnson, Nahshon Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Josh Blackwell, Nick McCloud
The vibe from the Bears is that he’ll be ready for the season, but if Jaylon isn’t ready for week one, the Bears could move him to the reserve/non-football injury list, where he’ll need to miss a minimum of four games.
With Terell Smith injured (nothing official, but it sure seems like a bad one), the door opened for another defensive back to make it, and McCloud could be that guy, especially if Gordon’s injury lingers at all into the season.
Rookie Zah Frazier is still away handling a personal issue, so I think they’ll gamble that no team claims him. Remember, a team that claims him needs to put him on their 53-man roster, and I don’t see that happening.
Practice Squad (16): Austin Reed QB, Ian Wheeler RB, Miles Boykin WR, Bill Murray OL, Jordan McFadden OL, Tyler Scott WR, Maurice Alexander WR, Jahdae Walker WR (R), Stephen Carlson TE, Joel Wilson TE, Zah Frazier CB (R), Swayze Bozeman LB, Dominique Robinson DE, Jonathan Ford DT, Xavier Carlton DL (R), Alex Cook S
Four quarterbacks is unconventional, but Keenum is only signed through 2025, and Bagent is set to be a restricted free agent after this season, so if Ben Johnson sees QB3 upside in Reed, then Reed sticks.
Robinson only played 84 snaps on defense last year, so he’ll probably make it through waivers.
If the Lions cut anyone Ben Johnson is familiar with or if the Saints cut any of Dennis Allen’s former players, they could be in the mix.
Injured reserve: Terell Smith, CB
Just like last year, teams can put up to two players on injured reserve with a designation to return without having to put them on the active 53-man roster first.
