The 2017 Bears depth chart is going to look very different from the one that finished last season. How different? Well for starters a host of players who started games for the team are already gone and not coming back. Here is a quick rundown of some prominent names that the team chose not to bring back: Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley, Logan Paulsen, Ted Larsen, Alshon Jeffery, Cornelius Washington, and Tracy Porter.
Those aren't just a bunch of guys buried down the roster. All of them were considered solidified members not one year ago. Cutler was the starting quarterback and Hoyer his main backup. Alshon was the best wide receiver on the team. Porter was the best corner. For one reason or another they're all gone. Mostly a mix of money, injuries or age.
People aren't sure what to expect from the Bears this season. They have some young talent worth getting excited about but few proven commodities. Much of answering these lingering questions will depend on how the final depth chart shakes out. Given the personnel they have in place, this is how it should look come the end of preseason.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hK8tCsYRq4
Quarterback
- Mike Glennon
- Mark Sanchez
- Mitch Trubisky
It's hard to imagine the QB situation looking like anything other than this. Glennon was signed in free agency as insurance against the Bears being unable to land their quarterback of choice in the draft. He's going to be the starter at least for the 2017 season. Obviously Mitch Trubisky is the long-term focal point. As for Mark Sanchez, he's on the roster for two reasons. First is to provide quality veteran depth. Never a bad thing to have. Second is to help mentor Trubisky about how to operate in an NFL offense. Something he knows plenty about.
[video width="400" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Jordan-Howard-Fights-for-a-TD-Packers-vs.-Bears-NFL-Week-15-Highlights.mp4"][/video]
Running Back
- Jordan Howard
- Tarik Cohen
- Bennie Cunningham
- Freddie Stevenson
Jordan Howard is of course the focal point of this Bears offense moving forward. That was proven by his Pro Bowl campaign as a rookie in 2016. The intriguing question is who will back him up. Pace certainly envisions rookie fourth round pick Tarik Cohen to fill a scat back role similar to what he saw Darren Sproles do so successfully in New Orleans. The big shocker is how Jeremy Langford and Ka'Deem Carey are both gone. The truth is both played poorly in 2016 and weren't much help on special teams. Bennie Cunningham has them beat in that department and he brings more versatility to the position.
[video width="400" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Cameron-Meredith-fights-his-way-for-a-32-yard-catch-NFL-Videos.mp4"][/video]
Wide Receiver
- Kevin White
- Cameron Meredith
- Markus Wheaton
- Kendall Wright
- Josh Bellamy
- Tanner Gentry
This is going to be an interesting year for the Bears receiving corps. Without Alshon Jeffery there is no proven commodity at the position. Yet there is a lot of potential. Cameron Meredith is their most productive player from 2016. Kevin White is still a prized former first round pick who just started to play well before getting hurt again. Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright bring more speed and quickness to the position. Josh Bellamy is a special teams stalwart. Tanner Gentry should stick on the roster after showing a connection with Trubisky in training camp. Why? His skill set mirrors the type of receiver the rookie likes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnAGUlkKD6s
Tight End
- Zach Miller
- Dion Sims
- Adam Shaheen
No surprises here. Zach Miller is the established veteran of the group. He's respected in the locker room and was productive last season before being sidelined by injury. Dion Sims is the high-priced free agent brought in by Pace. He'll be a big help to the blocking situations on offense and also has a limited capability as a pass catcher. Adam Shaheen of course is their second round pick from the draft. Though coming from Division II, the big and athletic tight end is a potential receiving nightmare with his mix of size and speed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz8rX0t4SC4
Offensive Line
- Charles Leno
- Josh Sitton
- Cody Whitehair
- Kyle Long
- Bobby Massie
- Eric Kush
- Hroniss Grasu
- Jordan Morgan
The starting five will remain the same for 2016. In its own way that's a good thing. The familiarity between those men should only create more efficient and effective blocking. It's the depth behind them where things get interesting. Eric Kush, Hroniss Grasu and Jordan Morgan make up a trio of younger talents who can play multiple interior positions. The sticking point is none of them are good fits for tackle. So who is the Bears swing option in case of injury? That's easy. In such a case they can move Long to the outside. A position he played in 2015. They would then have three quality options to replace him at guard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o273M6jhb7c
Defensive Line
- Akiem Hicks
- Eddie Goldman
- Jaye Howard
- Mitch Unrein
- Jonathan Bullard
- John Jenkins
It may not have gotten any action in the draft, but thanks to a couple savvy free agent moves, the defensive line is looking pretty solid for Chicago. Akiem Hicks was tremendous in 2016. The real excitement will be around third-year nose tackle Eddie Goldman and new veteran addition Jaye Howard. If they stay healthy that is a front three to be reckoned with. Mitch Unrein is a reliable veteran and Jonathan Bullard still has plenty of room to grow after an inconsistent rookie year. John Jenkins can be an ideal reserve nose tackle presuming good health. He has a connection with Pace dating back to their days in New Orleans.
[video width="400" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Leonard-Floyd-vs-Packers-NFL-TNF-Week-7-2016-3-TKLS-2-SCKS-FF-TD-NFL-Highlights-HD.mp4"][/video]
Linebacker
- Leonard Floyd
- Pernell McPhee
- Willie Young
- Jerrell Freeman
- Danny Trevathan
- Nick Kwiatkoski
- Christian Jones
- Roy Robertson-Harris
The trio of Floyd, McPhee and Young were highly effective as pass rushers for the Bears during a significant stretch of last season. If health can be maintained, they should have similar success again. Jerrell Freeman, aside from his suspension was their most reliable inside linebacker. Danny Trevathan hopes to get back to 100% after a tough knee injury. Nick Kwiatkoski will likely start until he's able to return, getting a chance to build on his promising rookie year. Christian Jones is good depth and special teams help. Roy Robertson-Harris is the shocker here
[video width="400" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/LeBlanc-nabs-pick-six-against-Stafford.mp4"][/video]
Cornerback
- Marcus Cooper
- Prince Amukamara
- Cre'Von LeBlanc
- Sherrick McManis
- Johnthan Banks
- Bryce Callahan
Barring something unexpected, both Marcus Cooper and Prince Amukamara were signed to be starters in the secondary. This will allow Cre'Von LeBlanc to move to a more natural position in the slot. Johnthan Banks never got a chance to show how well he fit this defense last year. This time around he succeeds. Bryce Callahan is another slot option who can also play outside if needed. Sherrick McManis is a vested veteran who will be one of the primary aces on special teams. The big shock is no Kyle Fuller. That's right. He'll be yet another Phil Emery pick dismissed by this regime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er2COiSgPcE
Safety
- Quintin Demps
- Eddie Jackson
- Deiondre Hall
- Deon Bush
- Adrian Amos
- DeAndre Houston-Carson
The Bears are tried to increase the athleticism and ball skills at their safety position. Arrivals like Quintin Demps and Eddie Jackson this offseason prove that much. Word is cornerback Deiondre Hall will be switched there as well, a great idea given his size and instinct. Deon Bush and Adrian Amos both started games last year, so their experience will be valuable as depth. DeAndre Houston-Carson wins out the final spot due to his youth and prowess as a special teams player going back to his time in college.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V7pY0dx9A0
Special Teams
- Andy Phillips
- Pat O'Donnell
- Patrick Scales
Undrafted free agent kick Andy Phillips was quietly a very solid pickup for the team. He provides more than just camp competition for Connor Barth. He'll end up being the replacement. Pat O'Donnell should count himself fortunate the team wasn't able to do the same at punter. This leaves him in control of the starting job for another year despite ongoing mediocrity. Patrick Scales was reliable at long snapper. He just turned 29-years old so there's no reason to think he must go.
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