As the Chicago Bears gear up for training camp, starting July 22 at Halas Hall, stars like Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, and new head coach Ben Johnson will draw the headlines. But every NFL season, unsung players rise to the occasion, earning key roles through great camp performances. After a 5-12 season in 2024, the Bears revamped roster offers chances for lesser known talents to shine. With intense competition for depth chart spots, here are three under the radar players to watch.
1. Ruben Hyppolite II, LB
Why He’s One to Watch: Fourth-round rookie Ruben Hyppolite II, drafted from Maryland in 2025, brings versatility to the Bears linebacker corps. At 6-foot-1, 235 pounds, Hyppolite’s speed and instincts shone in college, with 7.5 tackles for loss in his final season.
Camp Battle: Hyppolite will compete for snaps behind Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, with Jack Sanborn no longer on the roster as he is in Dallas. His coverage skills and special teams potential could secure a rotational role early.
Potential Impact: If Hyppolite excels in camp, he could bolster the Bears 2024 weakness against tight ends (7.2 yards per target, 26th in the NFL), becoming a great asset.
2. Gervon Dexter Sr., DL
Why He’s One to Watch: A 2023 second-round pick, Gervon Dexter Sr. showed promise in 2024 with 3.5 sacks and 20 pressures despite limited snaps. At 6-foot-6, 312 pounds, Dexter’s size and athleticism align with Dennis Allen's vision on defense. Mentored by veterans Grady Jarrett and Andrew Billings, he’s poised for a leap.
Camp Battle: Dexter will battle for starting reps at defensive tackle, rotating with Jarrett, Billings, and rookie Shemar Turner. The Bears defensive line, which recorded just 30 sacks in 2024 (25th in the NFL), needs Dexter to disrupt against Chicago’s upgraded offensive line, featuring Joe Thuney and Drew Dalman.
Potential Impact: A breakout camp could make Dexter a pass-rushing force, potentially reaching 5-6 sacks and helping the Bears improve from 27th in total defense (348.2 yards per game). His growth is vital.
3. Tyler Scott, WR
Why He’s One to Watch: Third-year wideout Tyler Scott, a 2023 fourth-round pick, remains a wildcard in a stacked Bears receiving corps with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and rookie Luther Burden III. In 2024, Scott caught 1 pass for 5 yards. But his 4.44 speed at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds suits Ben Johnson’s offense.
Camp Battle: Scott faces a tough fight for the WR4 spot against Olamide Zaccheaus, and Devin Duvernay. His special teams value (22.3 yards per kick return in 2024) could clinch his roster spot, but he must outshine Zaccheaus and Duvernay in camp to earn offensive/special teams snaps.
Potential Impact: If Scott secures WR4, he could stretch defenses, complementing Moore and Odunze. His roster spot depends on camp performance, but a breakout could make him a low-cost weapon.
Honorable Mention
Kyle Monangai, RB: The seventh-round rookie from Rutgers rushed for 1,262 yards in his final college season. With no clear RB2 (unless you consider Roschon Johnson) a strong camp might elevate him to RB2.
Training camp is the crucible where the Bears 2025 roster takes shape, and players like Hyppolite, Dexter, and Scott could define Chicago’s depth. As Ben Johnson told us in June, “Camp is where roles are earned.” With public practices starting July 22, these under the radar players could become fan favorites if they seize their moment.
