Predicting Every Chicago Bears Starter and Next Man Up

Jun 14, 2016; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) talks to quarterbacks David Fales (8) and Brian Hoyer (12) during mini-camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) talks to quarterbacks David Fales (8) and Brian Hoyer (12) during mini-camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) runs out of the pocket as Chicago Bears free safety Adrian Amos (38) rushes during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) runs out of the pocket as Chicago Bears free safety Adrian Amos (38) rushes during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Safeties

FS

1. Adrian Amos- Every Bears fan fell in love with Amos last year after the fifth round pick earned himself a starting position and didn’t disappoint. Amos does have some things he still needs to improve upon. Truthfully part of the reason he started as a rookie was due to the Bears serious lack of depth at the position. Despite that, Amos has shown he has the ability to start on Sundays and should continue to develop in 2016.

2. Chris Prosinski- Prosinski was brought in mid-2015 mostly to help with special teams but he’s a decent depth piece at safety as well. More of a SS by trade, if Amos goes down, expect Jones-Quartey to get the FS reps here with Prosinski or Deon Bush moving in to start at SS.

SS

1. Harold Jones-Quartey- This position might be the most wide open on the roster. Jones-Quartey saw plenty of time there towards the end of the season, so he begins the season as the starter, but he could easily be pushed out by a better performing player. Jones-Quartey was another one of Pace’s undrafted rookie signings last season and was decent when he played but the Bears will be looking for their player of the future and someone they consider an upgrade. If that man isn’t on the roster yet, Jones-Quartey should be starting week one against the Texans.

2. Deon Bush- The Bears are probably hoping that Bush begins the season as the week one starter but he is going to have to prove that his final season at Miami was a fluke and not a trend. Bush had a tremendous junior season that could have made him a second or third round pick, but after a subpar senior season, he slipped to the fourth round and if the Bears didn’t select him, he could have fallen even further.

Player to Watch: DeAndre Houston-Carson- Houston-Carson was drafted in the sixth round thanks to his tremendous special teams’ ability that he flashed at William & Mary. Because of the low level of competition he faced in college, he probably won’t see much, if any, time on defense, but the Bears hope he can come in and make an impact on special teams. He blocked nine kicks in college, an unheard of number.

Schedule