The Chicago Bears are two weeks into training camp, and there's been plenty of interesting developments that have shaken up potential roster projections and depth charts.
With Chicago's first preseason game against the Cleveland Browns coming up Saturday, we'll get our first live-action glimpse at this current roster. Not only will it provide us a look at players entrenched in position battles and new rookie additions, but with it being the first preseason game, we'll see how the coaching staff views this current depth chart by who plays and who doesn't (or for how long). The starters aren't expected to see much, if any, action. But there are opportunities for bubble players to make a strong impression.
With two weeks of training camp in the books
and the preseason on deck, here's our latest 53-man roster projection for the Bears, which features some difficult cuts.
Quarterback (3): Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum
No surprises here. The Bears carried three quarterbacks last season, so there's no reason to assume that won't be the same in 2026. Case Keenum has served as another coach for Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent in that room. Williams is looking to build on his breakout sophomore campaign in Year 2 with Ben Johnson, and it doesn't hurt having a couple of solid backups in that room.
Running back (3): D'Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, Salvon Ahmed
There's no question that D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai are locks for the roster to run back Chicago's third-ranked rushing attack from last season. But the question is whether the Bears will carry three or four running backs. Assuming it's three, like last year's initial roster, it's a battle between Roschon Johnson and Salvon Ahmed, who's been a standout player in training camp. Ahmed gets the nod for now, and he could continue to make a strong case for a roster spot.
Wide receiver (6): Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, Jahdae Walker, Zavion Thomas, Kaden Davis
The wide receiver group is essentially set with Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, Jahdae Walker and Zavion Thomas. That leaves one spot potentially open for a slew of players. One name that continues to stand out is Kaden Davis, who's had several highlight days, and he figures to be a preseason darling for Chicago. Whether that's enough to earn a roster spot remains to be seen. For now, he gets my final spot.
Tight end (3): Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, Sam Roush
The Bears tight end group has been set for a while with Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet and rookie Sam Roush, who make up one of the best TE rooms in the NFL. Loveland is coming off an impressive rookie season and is primed for a breakout year as one of the league's best tight ends. Meanwhile, Kmet continues to be an invaluable part of this offense while Roush is expected to serve a key role in his rookie season.
Offensive line (10): Braxton Jones, Joe Thuney, Garrett Bradbury, Jonah Jackson, Darnell Wright, Logan Jones, Jedrick Wills Jr., Theo Benedet, Jordan McFadden, Luke Newman
Four of five starting spots on Chicago's offensive line is already locked down with left tackle the only position left to finalize between Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills Jr. and Kiran Amegadjie. Jones gets the starting nod with Wills getting the backup job and former third-round pick Amegadjie gets the axe here. Meanwhile, the Bears load up with some talented reserves to round out the room. Left tackle Ozzy Trapilo is expected to start the season on injured reserve, but general manager Ryan Poles hinted that Trapilo could return as soon as the end of training camp. For now, we start him on IR.
Defensive line (9): Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter, Dayo Odeyingbo, Neville Gallimore, Jordan van den Berg, Daniel Hardy, Shemar Turner
The Bears are expecting big things from their defensive line after being near the bottom of the league in sacks and run defense last season. There aren't many surprises with this group with Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter, Dayo Odeyingbo and Neville Gallimore. Sixth-round rookie Jordan van den Berg has made a strong impression and could factor into the interior rotational. Daniel Hardy's special teams contributions makes him a shoo-in. Meanwhile, Shemar Turner remains on the PUP list, but big things are expected from him when he returns.
Linebacker (6): T.J. Edwards, Devin Bush, D'Marco Jackson, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, Keyshaun Elliott
The Bears have their starting linebacker duo set with T.J. Edwards and Devin Bush with D'Marco Jackson and Jack Sanborn serving as key depth pieces. Noah Sewell and Keyshaun Elliott are currently on the physically unable to perform list, so we'll have to monitor them and make adjustments accordingly. Last year's fourth-round pick Ruben Hyppolite gets the axe here in a crowded room, barring a corresponding roster move.
Cornerback (6): Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Malik Muhammad, Josh Blackwell, Jaylon Jones
No surprise with Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, the projected starters on the outside. Kyler Gordon remains on the physically unable to perform list, but the expectation (or hope, rather) is that he's good to go for the regular season. While Gordon's lack of availability has been frustrating, there's no denying he's the best option at nickel. Rookie Malik Muhammad has been getting looks at nickel and outside, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him get reps as a rookie. Terell Smith is unfortunately the odd man out just one year removed from a devastating knee injury, given Josh Blackwell and Jaylon Jones' value as specialists and versatility in the secondary.
Safety (4): Dillon Thieneman, Xavier Woods, Cam Lewis, Elijah Hicks
The Bears will be without top safety Coby Bryant for most of the 2026 season after he had surgery on his knee and will miss four to six months. That leaves rookie Dillon Thieneman and new veteran addition Xavier Woods as the team's projected starting safeties. Cam Lewis makes the cut at safety, although he was getting work at nickel cornerback before Bryant's injury, so he brings versatility. Assuming Elijah Hicks returns from the physically unable to perform list, undrafted rookie Skyler Thomas, who's been a standout, is cut.
Special teams (3): Cairo Santos, Tory Taylor, Beau Gardner
There are no surprises here on special teams with kicker Cairo Santos, punter Tory Taylor and long snapper Beau Gardner. Santos and Taylor haven't faced any competition while Gardner beat out Luke Elkin for the starting long snapper job, after Elkin was waived earlier their week.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears 53-man roster prediction after 2 weeks of training camp
