Chicago Bears training camp is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest this summer.
Rookies and quarterbacks are set to report to Halas Hall on July 25 with veterans following on July 28. But before that, we're unveiling our Bears 2026 training camp position previews, where we broke down every position by player and examined the biggest question facing the group.
Here at Bears Wire, we went position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering training camp. See our roundup here:
Quarterback
Caleb Williams enjoyed a breakout season in Ben Johnson's first season as head coach, so expectations are incredibly high heading into Year 2, where Johnson continues to work his
magic. Williams has quickly become one of the faces of the NFL after his magical 2025 campaign, where he captivated the football world with his improbable throws, miraculous comebacks and downright explosive playmaking ability. But the question is whether Williams can take another big step in his development and earn a contract extension.
While the Bears can't technically start negotiating a contract with Williams until after he's completed his third season (next offseason), that hasn't stopped general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears from laying the groundwork for a potential contract extension to cement their hopeful franchise QB in place for the long-term. Poles has been encouraged with what he's seen from the former first overall pick in his first two seasons, comparing Williams' progress to a traffic light and hoping that Year 3 cements his status as a franchise quarterback and makes the decision a no-brainer to lock down a contract extension. -- Alyssa Barbieri
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Running back
Despite his lackluster 2024 campaign, there were no questions regarding Swift's status as the starting running back when training camp rolled around. So it's funny that after a career year where Swift shined that there would be some chatter that he could get out-carried by Monangai in 2026. And that's not an indictment on Swift, but rather a confirmation that the Bears have two excellent backs to use.
Entering the season, Swift still has a stranglehold on the job, but this backfield will be a committee where Johnson will ride with the hot hand. If Monangai gets off to a strong start, don't be surprised to see him take the majority of the snaps over Swift and vice versa. Monangai looks to be more of the traditional power back, whereas Swift can be a change-of-pace player, but the former needs to show he can handle a full workload still after fading down the stretch in 2025. It's anyone's guess as to which running back will finish with more yards at this point, making it one of the more exciting question marks going into the season. -- Brendan Sugrue
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Wide receiver
DJ Moore's absence will loom large around the wide receivers this year, so can Odunze and Burden carry the weight of the receiver room on their own? Odunze struggled with a foot injury last year that still has left some question marks about how he'll be when he's fully recovered, while Burden is a player that many analysts are picking as one to watch across the NFL this season. The young stars will have to grow up quickly in order to make sure fans don't miss the veteran leadership of Moore, and for Odunze especially, entering his third year having had plenty of success as a rookie, he can make a leap to being a leader in his own right this year. -- Mike Pendleton
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Tight end
Can we expect a lot of 12 and 13 personnel once again in 2026? Now, this is more of a question for head coach Ben Johnson, but the way he's assembled this tight end room -- and who they might eye for the practice squad -- speaks volumes about his intentions in 2026. Also, it's a question we probably already know the answer to: A resounding "yes." But how can we expect Johnson to utilize his tight end trio of Loveland, Kmet and Roush?
Loveland will no doubt be a top target in the passing game for Caleb Williams with Kmet and Roush stepping up as blockers. Johnson has earned a reputation for utilizing 12 and 13 personnel more than most offensive play callers in the league. In 2025, the Bears ran 12 personnel at a rate of 34.4% (sixth most in the NFL) and ran 131 snaps with 13 personnel (third most). When looking at the addition of Roush and Loveland's expected jump, it certainly feels like we can expect more of the same in 2026. -- Alyssa Barbieri
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Offensive line
The NFL's Protector of the Year last season, Joe Thuney was one of the biggest acquisitions in recent franchise history and carried the offensive line, and the offense, in Ben Johnson's first season last year. The Bears need to keep Thuney on the field as he turns 34 this season, which is not old by any means, but the offensive as a whole feels it will only keep improving and progressing as long as the veteran offensive guard is on the field.
Darnell Wright has become a cornerstone for the Bears offensive line and offensive unit as a whole. Ben Johnson and the coaching staff could've explored the idea of moving Wright to the left tackle spot given the lack of strength and consistency but the anchor that he brings on the right side of the offensive line is undeniable. Wright is one of multiple strong pieces in place on the offensive line, and in a league where the left tackle usually gets all the attention, he has earned the deserved distinction of one of, if not the best right tackle in the NFL. -- Mike Pendleton
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Edge rusher
The Bears have big questions facing their pass rush this season after totaling just 35 sacks, which was the seventh-fewest in the league last year. While Montez Sweat had a bounce-back year totaling 10.5 sacks, Chicago is still seeking clarity about who will step up opposite him. Austin Booker, when he returned from injury midway through the season, showed impressive potential in his sophomore season. If Booker can rise to the occasion, it would be a big boost to the defense and help shore up a huge weakness. Then there's Dayo Odeyingbo, last year's prized free agent who missed most of the year after tearing his Achilles midway through. Odeyingbo carries a massive cap hit this season, and he needs to start playing to that price tag. The Bears are banking on guys like Booker, Odeyingbo and even second-year pro Shemar Turner to rise to the occasion this season after not addressing edge rusher this offseason. -- Alyssa Barbieri
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Defensive tackle
The most consistent producer at the defensive tackle position, Gervon Dexter should be seen as the team's No. 1 player at defensive tackle, but he also hasn't yet fully broken through as one of the higher-respected players at his position. His best trait comes as a pass rusher, where he was second on the team in sacks last season with 6.0, just four behind Montez Sweat on the team. Dexter needs to take the next step to improve his run defense, which could happen in the second year under Dennis Allen's defense. -- Mike Pendleton
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Linebacker
The most consistent source of production across the Bears defense, when healthy, T.J. Edwards was hampered by injuries last season but has a chance to once again be a leader for the defense. A player who cracked ESPN's list for top linebackers entering this season, Edwards should easily showcase himself as long as he can have a clean bill of health this year.
Outside of safety Coby Bryant, Devin Bush was one of the biggest free agent signings the Bears made this season after two seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Bush is coming off the best year of his career in 2025, where he totaled 125 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two touchdowns. The veteran former first-round pick brings speed and playmaking ability needed in Dennis Allen's defense. -- Mike Pendleton
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Cornerback
In 2025, on a division-winning Bears team, Jaylon Johnson was absent for more than half the year because of groin injuries. He appeared in just seven games, keeping him from making the impact that everyone knows he can make. Even when he did return, it was clear he wasn't completely healthy, and it impacted his play. Johnson has been a star corner in the past, but he has to do so in 2026, coming off a lingering injury. His being the lead guy on the team at this position is why there is a high ceiling but a low floor.
Kyler Gordon is one of the keys to Chicago's defense in the backfield. The Bears missed Gordon in a big way in 2025 as he only appeared in three total games. There wasn't enough time for him to get in a rhythm and make an impact on a team that needed him. With him in the mix for 2026, the defense is already better than it was. During this training camp, Gordon is trying to earn Ben Johnson's trust, as he hardly got to play under the Bears' star head coach in 2025. If he wants to maintain a starting role on the team, he must be on the field making an impact in training camp. -- Vincent Parise
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Safety
Building chemistry in the NFL is vital to any team's success, but it takes time to build. With the Bears introducing two new starters in a brand new scheme, it's not fair to expect Bryant and Thieneman to fully jell and play off one another seamlessly immediately. Training camp will be a vital period for both players to get comfortable with not only one another but also the system implemented by defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. And that's if Thieneman even starts right away, which may not happen. These two safeties have similar traits and should be a dynamic duo at some point during the year. We may just have to experience a few bumps along the way while they work through their chemistry. -- Brendan Sugrue
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Special teams
While there's a long snapper competition to be determined between first-year pro Luke Elkin and undrafted rookie Beau Gardner, that's not the biggest questions heading into this season. That would be kicker Cairo Santos' future beyond the 2026 season. Santos signed a four year, $15.9 million contract extension back in Dec. 2023, so he still has two years left on his current deal. While there's been plenty of speculation about the Bears potentially moving on from the veteran kicker, they haven't brought in any real substantial competition for him. Jake Moody might've been the closest to real competition, and he filled in valiantly when Santos missed a couple games last season. But Chicago appears content with Santos, at least for the time being. We'll see if that changes in the near future. -- Alyssa Barbieri
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Examining every Chicago Bears position group before training camp
