The 91-man roster will report to camp in less than four weeks. Coach Eberflus and staff are determined to improve upon their three-win total from 2022. In this two-part series, we look at the players on the roster, who the starters may be, and those left to compete for backup positions. To begin, we start with the offense.
There are 53 roster positions available. With three set aside for special teams (Punter, Kicker, Long Snapper), this series has 24 spots dedicated to the defense and 26 on offense. The roster breaking down as follows: QB 2; RB 6; WR 6; TE 3; OL 9
Quarterback:
In year two under the current staff 3rd year QB Justin Fields is the unquestioned starter. Fields showed off his unmatched running ability last year, especially in the second half of the season. With what can be best described as a shoddy offensive line in 2022, Fields often had to run for his life. OC Luke Getsy finally adjusted the game plan to include planned runs for Fields. He was sacked 55 times.
In year 3, Fields finally has help. The Bears invested in the OL and skilled players at WR, RB and TE. The addition of a true WR1, who was acquired in the off-season should make Sunday's exciting this fall.
Nathan Peterman returns as a backup for Fields. He saw limited action in that role last year, appearing in three games. Tyson Bagent, is an impressive UFDA out of Sheperd University. He threw for 4,580 yards with 41 TDs and only 8 INTs for the Rams in 2022. He completed 17 of 22 passes in this year's Senior Bowl for the American team, which was coached by Bears OC Luke Getsy. P.J. Walker joins the team after spending three years with the Carolina Panthers.
Offensive Line:
The coaching staff spent most of last year searching for answers with the offensive line. Unfortunately most of the questions were left unanswered. Braxton Jones was the surprising find in 2022. Drafted in the fifth round, Jones became only the fifth rookie drafted in the fifth round or later to start a game at LT since 1992 (According to STATS Research)
This year, the Bears head to camp with their starting five set. With Jones returning at LT, every other position will see a new face. Teven Jenkins moves from the right side of the line to Left Guard. Cody Whitehair is moving to Center. Free agent Nate Davis (RG) and Darnell Wright (RT) will anchor the right side. Wright, who was selected in the first round of this year's draft, did not allow a sack at Tennessee in 2022.
Behind the starting five, the offensive coaches have 12 players in camp to compete for what appears to be four or five roster spots. Those players include (in alphabetical order): Larry Borom, Ja'Tyre Carter, Kellen Diesch, Dieter Eiselen, Robert Haskins, Gabriel Houy, Doug Kramer, Alex Leatherwood, Josh Lugg, Roy Mbaeteka, Lorenz Metz, and Lucas Patrick
Tight End
The clear number one and two Tight Ends are Cole Kmet, entering his 4th season with Chicago and Robert Tonyan, who played for the Green Bay Packer for five seasons. Fighting for what may only be one or two available spots are Chase Allen, Stephen Carlson and Jake Tonges.
Running Back
Ryan Poles did well filling a void here when David Montgomery was signed by the Detroit Lions this off-season. Khalil Herbert will begin camp as the number one RB on the depth chart. Poles added depth and talent to the RB room. First D'Onta Foreman was signed. Foreman became the starting RB for Carolina after the Panthers traded Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers. Foreman started the last nine games for Carolina and ran for 914 yards with five TDs.
Roschon Johnson was drafted in the 4th round this year and is heralded by many as one of the great steals in this draft class. Many scouts have raved about Johnson saying he could have been RB1 at most programs, but he was behind Bijan Robinson at Texas.
Travis Homer who excels on special teams and Trestan Ebner are vying for the final spot at RB.
The Bears utilize a traditional Fullback in the offense. Khari Blasingame returns for his second year with the Bears, after playing his first three seasons in the league with the Tennessee Titans. Rookie Robert Burns is will also line up at FB during camp.
Wide Receiver
Some reporters have proclaimed the Wide Receiver room as the most talented position group on the roster. It is hard to disagree. D J Moore gives Justin Fields a true top tier WR1. Their early chemistry has been one of the main bright spots during OTAs and mini camp.
A concern shared by many is the health of Mooney and Claypool. Mooney has yet to practice while he recovers from a serious ankle injury suffered in week 12. Claypool made a brief appearance in early workouts, but has been bothered by what the team will only say is a "soft tissue" problem.
Assuming Matt Eberflus is correct, and both will be full go participants when camp opens, this group of receivers is, by far the most talented receiving corps the team has ever had.
Behind them is Tyler Scott, the blazing WR from Cincinnati. Drafted in this year's 4th round, Scott has burned the starting DBs in camp for several great plays.
Competing for the last two or 3 spots on the roster are Aron Cruickshank, Daurice Fountain, Velus Jones,Jr., Dante Pettis, Thyrick Pitts, Joe Reed, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Nsimba Webster.
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