Thoughts on the Bears Final 53-Man Roster and Depth Chart

Quarterbacks (2)

• Caleb Williams ( QB1)
• Tyson Bagent (QB2)

Nothing to see here. The QB room shook out just like we all expected. Brett Rypien and Austin Reed played well throughout camp, but Bagent held them off and Caleb was always going to be QB1. Reed has since returned on the team's practice squad. 

Running Backs (5)

• D'Andre Swift (RB1)
• Khalil Herbert (RB2)
• Roschon Johnson (RB3)
• Travis Homer (RB4)
• Khari Blasingame (FB1)

While there was some early speculation that Khalil Herbert might not have a place on this roster, I never bought into it. A player as explosive as Herbert has a place on almost any offensive roster. Shane Waldron will find ways to get the football in his hands.

I have a gut feeling that Ian Wheeler was about to take Travis Homer's job before tearing his ACL. But we will never know what may have transpired. Homer was a core special teamer for the Bears in 2023, playing significant snaps on return and coverage units for both kicks and punts.

Wide Receivers (6)

• DJ Moore (WR1)
• Keenan Allen (WR2)
• Rome Odunze (WR3)
• Tyler Scott (WR4)
• Velus Jones Jr. (WR5/RB)
• DeAndre Carter (WR6)

Wide receiver? Running back? Explosive weapon? Fumble machine? Regardless of what you think about Velus Jones and his positional designation, he is on the roster and designated as a wide receiver by the Bears. He may not get that many snaps, but I expect him to be deployed in multiple ways when on the field.

The punt returner competition came down to survival of the fittest. I say that because Webster, Pettis, and Wheeler were injured in the final preseason game. DeAndre Carter was the last man standing, earning him a roster spot. The Bears could kick the tires on a player like D'Wayne Eskridge, but I wouldn't be surprised if they stick with Carter.

Tight Ends (3)

• Cole Kmet (TE1)
• Gerald Everett (TE2)
• Marcedes Lewis (TE3)

After posting the 5th-best PFF grade amongst offensive players in the preseason, the Bears put rookie UDFA tight end Brenden Bates on waivers. The Jets swooped in and picked up his contract. Brenden Bates, we barely knew you.

Offensive Linemen (10)

• Darnell Wright (RT1)
• Nate Davis ( RG1)
• Coleman Shelton (C1)
• Teven Jenkins (LG1)
• Braxton Jones (LT1)
• Matt Pryor (Swing OT/iOL)
• Ryan Bates (Swing iOL)
• Kiran Amegadjie (Redshirt OT)
• Bill Murray (Swing iOL)
• Doug Kramer Jr. (C2)

Ten offensive lineman? Teams typically carry eight or nine offensive linemen, making this room one to watch. Doug Kramer and Bill Murray seem like they could be the odd men out if an addition is made elsewhere or a player comes back from injured reserve.

Defensive Tackles (4)

• Andrew Billings (NT1)
• Gervon Dexter Sr. (3T-1)
• Zacch Pickens (DT3)
• Chris Williams (DT4)

While Zacch Pickens is currently on the Bears roster, there has been some speculation that he could be put on injured reserve with a designation to return in-season. That leaves the Bears with only three defensive tackles, only two of whom have played a notable amount of NFL snaps. Even after adding the snaps where DeMarcus Walker kicks inside, this room needs some help.

EDGE Rushers (6)

• Montez Sweat (EDGE1)
• DeMarcus Walker (EDGE2/DT)
• Darrell Taylor (EDGE3)
• Austin Booker (EDGE4)
• Daniel Hardy (EDGE5)
• Dominique Robinson (EDGE6/DT)

While the starting talent across from Montez Sweat leaves me wanting more, I am excited about the depth of this room. This room runs four players deep with the potential to extend to five players if Hardy continues to surprise.

To be clear, I am not saying to expect double-digit sacks from anyone besides Montez Sweat. But for a defense that wants to send waves of fresh pass rushers, this feels like an improved situation from last year.

Linebackers (5)

• Tremaine Edmunds (MIKE/LB1)
• TJ Edwards (WILL/LB2)
• Jack Sanborn (SAM/LB3)
• Amen Ogbongbemiga (LB4)
• Noah Sewell (LB5)

This room has remained largely unchanged since 2023, with the only adjustment being the addition of Amen Ogbongbemiga. I thought the Bears might keep an additional linebacker for kick coverage purposes, but that is not the case.

Cornerbacks (6)

• Jaylon Johnson (CB1)
• Tyrique Stevenson (CB2)
• Kyler Gordon (nCB1/CB3)
• Terell Smith (CB4)
• Jaylon Jones (CB5)
• Josh Blackwell (nCB2/CB6)

The Bears had tough decisions in this room with Greg Stroman and Reddy Steward not cutting it. Both players stood out throughout camp but were in a deep competition for a roster spot. The Bears retained Steward on the practice squad, while Stroman became a free agent.

Safeties (4)

• Kevin Byard (FS1)
• Jaquan Brisker (SS1)
• Jonathan Owens (S3)
• Elijah Hicks (S4)

No surprises in the safety room. The Bears had a few standouts at safety who didn't make the team in Adrian Colbert, Tarvarius Moore, and Quindell Johnson. Both Moore and Johnson were retained on the practice squad.

Specialists

• Cairo Santos (K)
• Tory Taylor (P)
• Scott Daly (LS)*

The Bears have not made the Scott Daly signing official, placing him on the practice squad instead of the 53-man roster. Before they can add Daly to the 53-man roster, they must cut a player or move someone to injured reserve.

Injured Reserve

• Dante Pettis (WR)
• Nsimba Webster (WR)
• Ian Wheeler (RB)
• Patrick Scales (LS)
• Larry Borom (OT; Designated to return)
• Jacob Martin (EDGE; Designated to return)