Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview: Safeties

Dec 15, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback

(3) gets away from New York Giants free safety Ryan Mundy (21) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Roster Projection (5)

Mundy, Vereen, Steltz, Conte, M.D. Jennings

Mundy and Vereen are all but assured of roster spots and appear to be headed for the starting lineup.  Steltz makes the team as a core special teams member.  No one likes to hear it, but I think Chris Conte makes the roster as a reserve.  While he gets to be the scapegoat for everything that went wrong with the Bears defense last season, I can’t think how many safeties would have done better with no one in front of him as the front-7 collapsed.  He’s in the last year of his rookie deal (i.e. he is cheap), so I think he makes it as a reserve.  Jennings will round out the group, but he could miss the cut if the Bears decide to keep only 4 safeties.  If Adrian Wilson answers questions about what’s left in the tank with a strong camp, he could get a shot at a spot, but it’s hard to imagine him making it unless he beats out Mundy.

Final Word

There is no where to go but up for the Bears safeties.  Expect a pair of new starters to look even better with an improved group of defenders in front of them.  Brock Vereen brings hope for the future of the Bears secondary.