The Chicago Bears will soon be cutting down the roster to create the final 53-man roster going into the 2024 regular season. Earlier this week, I updated my latest 53-man roster projection based on everything we've seen out of training camp and during the three preseason games so far.
Based on that 53-man projection, here's what the potential depth chart could look like and where those 53 players will stand on the roster.
Note: Players with an asterisk (*) were selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, players with two asterisks (**) were undrafted free agents signed by the team.
Bears' final depth chart projection
| Postion | Starter(s) | Reserve(s) |
|---|
Quarterback | Caleb Williams* | Tyson Bagent
Brett Rypien |
Running Back | D'Andre Swift
Khari Blasingame (FB) | Khalil Herbert
Roschon Johnson
Ian Wheeler** |
Wide Receiver | DJ Moore
Keenan Allen
Rome Odunze* | Tyler Scott
Velus Jones Jr.
Collin Johnson |
Tight End | Cole Kmet | Gerald Everett
Marcedes Lewis |
Offensive Line | Braxton Jones (LT)
Teven Jenkins (LG)
Coleman Shelton (C)
Nate Davis (RG)
Darnell Wright (RT) | Kiran Amegadjie* (Swing/LT)
Jerome Carvin (LG/C/RG)
Ryan Bates (C/RG)
Bill Murray (LG/RG)
Matt Pryor (RG/RT) |
Defensive End | Montez Sweat
DeMarcus Walker | Austin Booker
Jacob Martin
Dominque Robinson
Daniel Hardy |
Interior Defensive Line | Gervon Dexter Sr.
Andrew Billings | Zacch Pickens |
Linebacker | Tremaine Edmunds
T.J Edwards | Jack Sanborn
Amen Ogbongbemiga
|
Cornerback | Jaylon Johnson
Tyrique Stevenson
Kyler Gordon (nickel) | Terell Smith
Jaylon Jones
Greg Stroman Jr. (nickel) |
Safety | Kevin Byard
Jaquan Brisker | Johnathan Owens
Elijah Hicks |
Kicker | Cairo Santos | N/A |
Punter | Tory Taylor* | N/A |
Long Snapper | Patrick Scales | N/A |
Kick Returner | Velus Jones Jr. | Khalil Herbert
Tyler Scott |
Punt Returner | Rome Odunze* | Velus Jones Jr.
Greg Stroman Jr.
|
The decision to keep three quarterbacks on the roster is going to do wonders for first overall pick Caleb Williams during his rookie season. Tyson Bagent has shown he's the best option to be the true backup but having Brett Rypien on the sideline during game days as another bouncing board for Williams will have a major impact.
D'Andre Swift will be the clear starter in the backfield and Khalil Herbert seems to be the clear RB2 , saying he survives any potential trade. Roschon Johnson will be another quality change of pace back and viable pass blocker. Ian Wheeler will be used mainly on special teams unless someone goes down during the season.
The top three wide receivers are of course set in stone with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze. Tyler Scott has looked strong during practice and the Bears will plan to get creative with how they put the ball into the hands of Velus Jones. Collin Johnson's size and special teams impact gives him the nod to make the team.
In 1-TE sets, Cole Kmet will be the one taking the field but expect to see at lot of 2-TE sets that will allow Kmet and Gerald Everett on the field. In short yardage situations and goal line formations, Marcedes Lewis will get some work as an additional blocker.
The starting tackle spots will remain the same except for rookie Kiran Amegadjie taking over the swing tackle duties from Larry Borom now that he's been cleared to practice. Matt Pryor will be a quality backup at right guard and tackle and his size might get him some key snaps on short yardage/goal line plays. The interior spots seem to be determined at this point despite two of the three being open competitions in camp. After Ryan Bates' injury, no one has been able to challenge Coleman Shelton or Nate Davis for their starting positions. Bates will still make for a quality backup once he's healthy and I really like Jerome Carvin and Bill Murray making the cut due to their multi-positional versatility up-front.
Barring any outside addition , this is likely going to be the pass rushing unit. Montez Sweat and DeMarcus Walker will be the opening day starters but it'll only be a matter of time until rookie Austin Booker starts getting more snaps. Jacob Martin, Dominique Robinson, and Daniel Hardy are the front runners to win the final spots at the position going into the last preseason game, but nothing is set in stone. Gervon Dexter has really shown some major improvements going into his sophomore season and looks the part as a fierce interior defender. Andrew Billings and Zacch Pickens will rotate in beside Dexter. Defensive coordinator Eric Washington has also experimented with moving Walker/Booker/Martin all inside in various packages as well, which could limit the number of interior defenders that make the final roster.
Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards are set to enter their second season together patrolling the middle of the field in Chicago. Jack Sanborn will be returning as well as an experienced backup along with a new face in the room in Amen Ogbongbemiga. Ogbongbemiga has impressed this offseason and will get a lot of special teams work.
The starting trio at corner will be a very strong group for the roster along with Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker roaming deep in the secondary. Terell Smith, Greg Stroman Jr., Johnathan Owens, and Elijah Hicks are all locked in as quality backups. The last open position is at cornerback with Jaylon Jones currently leading the way.
Related: Breaking down how the top 3 roster bubble players can make the Chicago Bears’ 53-man roster
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