The Chicago Bears are kicking off training camp with second-year head coach Ben Johnson, and there are high expectations for this roster following last year's impressive 11-6 season that include an NFC North title and a playoff win.
Chicago has finalized its 91-man roster (including international exempt Tory Taylor) heading into training camp, where they’ll need to narrow it down to 53 by Aug. 30.
When you look at this current roster, there are a number of locks and near locks. But there's plenty of competition for depth spots, and there are some potential surprises who could steal a roster spot. Training camp will provide plenty of opportunities with competition at left tackle, cornerback, center and long snapper.
With training camp kicking off,
here's a look at our latest 53-man roster projection for the Bears heading into the summer.
Quarterback (3)
- Caleb Williams
- Case Keenum
- Tyson Bagent
Cut: Miller Moss
There shouldn't be any surprises at quarterback with Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum all expected to make the roster. Keenum remains a veteran voice in that room for Williams, who's entering his third season. Barring a Bagent trade (which is unlikely, unless the deal is attractive), the Bears should carry three quarterbacks, like they did last year. Miller Moss, Williams' former college teammate, could push for a practice squad spot with a strong summer.
Running back (3)
- D'Andre Swift
- Kyle Monangai
- Roschon Johnson
Cut: Salvon Ahmed, Coleman Bennett, Brittain Brown
The Bears are running it back with their 1-2 push at running back with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, who are locks for the roster. The question is whether Chicago will carry three or four running backs, and going off last year, we're going with three to offset the third quarterback. Roschon Johnson gets the final roster spot due to his special teams value.
Wide receiver (6)
- Rome Odunze
- Luther Burden III
- Kalif Raymond
- Zavion Thomas
- Jahdae Walker
- Scotty Miller
Cut: Maurice Alexander, Kaden Davis, Kyron Hudson, Omari Kelly, JP Richardson
The Bears' receivers room features plenty of young talent, led by starters Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, as well as rookie Zavion Thomas. With DJ Moore's departure, Chicago added some veterans in Kalif Raymond, who will serve as WR3, and Scott Miller, who earned a roster spot after an impressive tryout. The first five spots, including Jahdae Walker, feel like locks, which means that sixth spot should be up for grabs, and Miller gets the nod for now.
Tight end (3)
- Colston Loveland
- Cole Kmet
- Sam Roush
Cut: Stephen Carlson, Qadir Ismail, Nikola Kalinic, Hayden Large
Chicago has one of the best tight end rooms in the NFL, led by last year's rookie standout Colston Loveland and veteran Cole Kmet. The Bears drafted rookie Sam Roush in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he's expected to serve a key role in this Ben Johnson offense. Chicago has always carried three tight ends, and that's not expected to change here. These three are essentially locks.
Offensive line (10)
- Joe Thuney
- Darnell Wright
- Jonah Jackson
- Garrett Bradbury
- Braxton Jones
- Logan Jones
- Luke Newman
- Jedrick Wills Jr.
- Theo Benedet
- Caden Barnett
Cut: Kiran Amegadjie, Kyle Hergel, Jaren Kump, Jordan McFadden, Mason Murphy
The Bears' offensive line was among the best in the league last season, and even with the departure of Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman, this unit has the potential to repeat their success. Chicago brought in veteran Garrett Bradbury and second-round rookie Logan Jones to compete for the center job, and both are locks. Braxton Jones will compete for the left tackle job with Theo Benedet and Jedrick Wills Jr., who all make the cut with Ozzy Trapilo expected to start the season on the PUP list. Standout undrafted rookie Caden Barnett will earn the final spot.
Edge rusher (5)
- Montez Sweat
- Austin Booker
- Dayo Odeyingbo
- Shemar Turner
- Daniel Hardy
Cut: Jonathan Garvin, Jamree Kromah, Jeremiah Martin
Chicago didn't make a move to add another edge rusher to the roster, relying on returning veterans who missed a good chunk of the 2025 season. Montez Sweat is coming off a double-digit sack season and Austin Booker showed promise after returning from injury. Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner are returning from injury, and they'll factor into the rotation. Meanwhile, Daniel Hardy remains one of the Bears' best special teams contributors, so a roster spot is a earned.
Defensive tackle (4)
- Grady Jarrett
- Gervon Dexter
- Neville Gallimore
- Jordan van den Berg
Cut: Jayden Loving, James Lynch, Kentavius Street
The Bears didn't make any significant moves at defensive tackle either, putting the onus on Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett to step up in 2026. Chicago did sign a rotational piece in Neville Gallimore during free agency, and their sixth-round selection of Jordan van den Berg could wind up being a sneaky good value add for this defensive line.
Linebacker (6)
- T.J. Edwards
- Devin Bush
- D'Marco Jackson
- Jack Sanborn
- Noah Sewell
- Keyshaun Elliott
Cut: Tony Fields II, Ruben Hyppolite II, Wayne Matthews III, Jon Rhattigan, Nephi Sewell
Chicago will have a new starting linebacker tandem with returning veteran T.J. Edwards and free-agent addition Devin Bush. The Bears also brought back former undrafted free agent Jack Sanborn to compete in a room also featuring D'Marco Jackson, Noah Sewell, and fifth-round rookie Keyshaun Elliott, who snags the final roster spot.
Cornerback (6)
- Jaylon Johnson
- Kyler Gordon
- Tyrique Stevenson
- Malik Muhammad
- Terell Smith
- Josh Blackwell
Cut: KC Eziomume, Dallis Flowers, Jaylon Jones, Dontae Manning
The Bears were marred by injuries at cornerback last season, where they were without former Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson for half the season, nickel Kyler Gordon for most of the year and Terell Smith for the entire season. Chicago returns a healthy Johnson in 2026, but there are questions about Gordon's availability. The Bears drafted Malik Muhammad in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he could factor into playing time early as a rookie. Josh Blackwell gets the final spot given his special teams value.
Safety (4)
- Coby Bryant
- Dillon Thieneman
- Elijah Hicks
- Cam Lewis
Cut: Anthony Johnson Jr., Gervarrius Owens, Skyler Thomas
Chicago has a new-look safety room led by starters Coby Bryant, acquired from the Super Bowl winner Seattle Seahawks in free agency, and first-round rookie Dillon Thieneman. The Bears did opt to bring back Elijah Hicks in free agency while letting their other three free agents walk. Cam Lewis is a versatile defensive back who should add value to the secondary.
Specialists
- Cairo Santos
- Tory Taylor
- Luke Elkin
Cut: Beau Gardner
The Bears return the kicker-punter duo of Cairo Santos and Tory Taylor, but there will be a new long snapper among the specialists. Chicago let Scott Daly walk this offseason, leaving first-year pro Luke Elkin and undrafted rookie Beau Gardner to compete for the long snapper job. Elkin gets the nod for now, especially given his experience with Taylor during their time at Iowa together.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears pre-training camp 53-man roster prediction
