Chicago Bears Projected Final Roster
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receivers (6) – This is another tough decision for the Bears, but placing Marquees Wilson on the IR / Designated for return list frees up an extra roster spot. Josh Bellamy made his case for a roster spot last night with his best performance of the preseason (4-78) and has shown flashes of big play potential. Chris Williams’ hamstring issue has kept him on the sidelines so long that the Bears didn’t get a good look at his receiving or returning abilities. Spurlock is a versatile veteran, but has considerably less upside than Bellamy or Williams. So do the Bears go with experience or upside for their last two WR spots? Chris Williams’ elite speed gets him a spot on the roster, it’s a skill no one else on the team has. I think the other spot will go to Spurlock due to his kick return ability. That leaves the Bears with a veteran for both kick (Spurlock) and punt (Holmes) return duties and a wildcard in Williams who could potentially be better at both. I am pretty sure Bellamy has 1 year of practice squad eligibility remaining, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a receiver needy team (like Cleveland) picks him up.
Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Josh Morgan, Santonio Holmes, Michael Spurlock, Chris Williams, Marquess Wilson (injured reserve / designated for return)
Released: Josh Bellamy (PS), Armanti Edwards, Dale Moss
Offensive Line (10) – Injuries on the O-line and the strong play of some recently acquired veterans push the Bears into taking 10 O-lineman instead of their usual 9. I thought Ola might be on the bubble but the fact that he didn’t play last night shows that the Bears have seen enough to keep him. The massive Roland (6’9, 323) was just added a few weeks ago but the 6-year vet has played extremely well the last two games and has the versatility to play either guard or tackle. He could make Britton expendable if the Bears are set on keeping only 9. Charles Leno struggled last night and against Seattle, but looked good early in camp and has too much talent to make it through waivers. As for the cuts, Taylor Boggs has looked awful all preseason, Groy has shown potential but was over-matched against the Browns D-line last night. Turner has the best shot of three due to his strong play the last two weeks and the versatility to play guard or center, but they already have a similar reserve in de la Puente who the coaches are more familiar with.
Jermon Bushrod, Matt Slausen, Roberto Garza, Kyle Long, Jordan Mills, Brian de la Puente, Michael Ola, Eben Britton, Dennis Roland, Charles Leno Jr
Released: Boggs, Groy (PS), Turner
Long Snapper (1) – Let’s hope this is the start of a Mannelly-esque run on the Bears for the youngster Hartson. Seriously, I don’t want to have to write about a long-snapper position battle ever again, boring stuff.
Brandon Hartson