Chicago Bears Projected Final Roster

Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback (5) – My biggest surprise cut is veteran CB Kelvin Hayden. He is coming off a major injury (ACL), is 31 years old, doesn’t play special teams, and has been brutal in preseason action. McManis is one of the Bears best special teams players and has out played Hayden at corner as well. Hurst in an instinctive player who mixed big plays with mistakes this preseason, but showed plenty of potential as an aggressive corner who is strong against the run. I wouldn’t be shocked if the last spot goes to Al Louis-Jean instead. He made plays in the preseason, has ideal size (6’1, 187), and was more consistent than Hurst, but is only 20 years old and could use a year of seasoning on the practice squad. Wilson played well for the 2nd preseason in a row, but is a numbers casualty.

Peanut Tillman, Tim Jennings, Kyle Fuller, Sherrick McManis, Demontre Hurst

Released: Kelvin Hayden, Al Louis-Jean (PS), CJ Wilson (PS).

Safety (4) – It would be impossible for the Bears to be worse at safety than they were last season, but I’m not sure they are going to be much better. Mundy should add some stability to the position, but McCray is a liability in coverage, Vereen has shown potential but is a rookie, and Conte is…. well Conte. Trice showed flashes of being a big hitter in the secondary which the Bears desperately need, but he is undersized (5’8, 193) and raw. A year on the practice squad could put Trice in position to contribute next season. Now I know why Packers fans laughed when the Bears signed M.D. Jennings; He was awful in his final appearance with the Bears last night.

Ryan Mundy, Danny McCray, Chris Conte, Brock Vereen

Released: Marcus Trice (PS), MD Jennings

Kicker (1) – Robbie Gould

Punter (1) – Pat O’Donnell

Practice Squad – Fales, Perry, Lynch, Bellamy, Groy, Dunn, Lattimore, Louis-Jean, Wilson, Trice