The Chicago Bears have already made a massive overhaul to their roster from what we last saw in Week 18 against the Green Bay Packers and more changes are on the way.
General manager Ryan Poles is continuing to build this team in his image and his moves so far this offseason have proven that to be the case. Here's what the team's roster currently looks like, including how we got here and what moves are to come.
Note: Asterisks (*) represent a 2024 addition via free agency or trades and does not include re-signed players.
Quarterbacks (2)
Projected Starter: ???
Backup(s): Brett Rypien* and Tyson Bagent
How we got here: The Bears are currently without a starting quarterback after trading Justin Fields but that will change by the end of April. Caleb Williams is widely expected to the Chicago's top pick with the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As for the backups, the Bears brought in an experienced arm in Brett Rypien along with having undrafted free agent Tyson Bagent, who started 4 games last season.
Running Backs (5)
Projected Starters: D'Andre Swift* and Khari Blasingame (FB)
Backups: Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, and Travis Homer
How we got here: D'Andre Swift was the Bears' first splash once the legal tampering period began and will easily be the team's starting running back going forward.
Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson will still be used plenty on offense, as will fullback Khari Blasingame. Travis Homer will more than likely keep his job and remain on the roster while returning to his role on special teams in 2024.
Wide Receivers (7)
Projected Starters: DJ Moore and Keenan Allen*
Backups: Tyler Scott, Dante Pettis*, Velus Jones, Collin Johnson, and Nsimba Webster
How we got here: For the second straight offseason the Bears' front office brought in a Pro Bowl caliber wide receiver. Keenan Allen will join the Bears' offense and form a remarkable one-two punch with DJ Moore, who's coming off a career best season during his first year in Chicago.
Behind those two, Tyler Scott and Velus Jones will be returning, as will 2023 practice squad players Collin Johnson and Nsimba Webster. The Bears also added back Dante Pettis who hasn’t played since the Bears waived him due to injury last September.
Tight Ends (3)
Projected Starters: Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett*
Backup: Stephen Carlson
How we got here: Under offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, the Bears are expected to run a heavy dose of multi tight end sets with Cole Kmet and free agent addition Gerald Everett. Everett has plenty of experience working with Waldron and will used heavily next season. Stephen Carlson will also be returning as a backup.
Offensive Linemen (13)
Projected Starters: Braxton Jones (LT), Teven Jenkins (LG), Coleman Shelton (C)*, Nate Davis (RG), and Darnell Wright (RT)
Backups: Ryan Bates*, Matt Pryor*, Ja'Tyre Carter, Larry Borom, Aviante Collins, Doug Kramer, Bill Murray, and Jerome Carvin*
How we got here: Heading into 2024, the Bears needed to fix up the interior of their offensive line and add in some necessary depth pieces. Coleman Shelton and Ryan Bates will compete for the starting job and Matt Pryor will be the team's swing tackle.
The biggest offseason winner on the team's roster has to be Braxton Jones who still holds his starting job at left tackle despite fans wanting the team to add an upgrade.
Defensive Linemen (9)
Projected Starters: Montez Sweat (DE), Andrew Billings (DT), Gervon Dexter (DT), and DeMarcus Walker (DE)
Backups: Zacch Pickens, Dominique Robinson, Michael Dwumfour, Khalid Kareem, and Daniel Hardy
How we got here: Under new defensive coordinator Eric Washington, this position will have a major point of emphasis and the current projection looks the same as of now.
There will undoubtedly be more additions made to the defensive line, either through the players left in free agency or through the 2024 NFL Draft.
Linebackers (6)
Projected Starters: Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards
Backups: Jack Sanborn, Amen Ogbongbemiga*, Noah Sewell, and Micah Baskerville
How we got here: After adding two starting linebackers in Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards last year in free agency, the linebacker position is still set for the Bears' defense, although the addition of Amen Ogbongbemiga will add more competition to the unit to see who will play on special teams.
Cornerbacks (6)
Projected Starters: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson
Backups: Terell Smith, Greg Stroman, and Jaylon Jones
How we got here: Landing an extension for Jaylon Johnson has to be the biggest win of the offseason for the Bears' front office. The position will now see the return of their 2023 Pro Bowler and one of the best leaders in the secondary, which will be critical given the amount of youth at the position behind him.
Safeties (8)
Projected Starters: Kevin Byard* and Jaquan Brisker
Backups: Jonathan Owens*, Tavarius Moore*, Elijah Hicks, Quindell Johnson, Adrian Colbert, and Douglas Coleman
How we got here: The Bears replaced Eddie Jackson at safety with former All-Pro Kevin Byard, who will now become the leader in the secondary while forming a solid duo with Jaquan Brisker on the back end of the defense.
Jonathan Owens and Tavarius Moore will also give the Bears' defense more experienced and valuable backups to have ready to fill in at a moment's notice.
Specialists (5)
Projected Starters: Cairo Santos (K), Trenton Gill (P), and Patrick Scales (LS)
Backups: Corliss Waitman (P) and Cameron Lyons (LS)
Projected Returners: Dante Pettis* and Velus Jones
How we go here: The team's longest tenured player in long snapper Patrick Scales will be returning for another season to help keep things consistent on special teams.
As for the return game, having Dante Pettis back in the fold in 2024 will give the Bears another player to compete with Velus Jones for the starting job.
Where do things go from here?
Rostered Players: 64
Spots Available: 27
Quarterback is now the Bears' primary need heading into the remainder of the offseason after trading their former first round pick. The Bears' front office will have between now and the end of April to fully commit to Caleb Williams as their top pick.
As for the rest of the Bears' top needs from what's left over on the open market and with the remainder of their draft picks, I expect the front office to add at least one more WR, a starting DE to play opposite Montez Sweat, another IDL, a third TE, and potentially an additional CB (ranked in order of importance).
The Bears currently have just 4 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft to fill out those remaining positions, barring any additional trades made between now and April. So far, general manager Ryan Poles has done a solid job transforming this roster heading into 2024.
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