Who are Chicago Bears core players?
These ten players are the core of the Chicago Bears roster
The Chicago Bears are at a cross roads going from a 12-win season to an average year without a playoff appearance. They need to evaluate what direction the roster needs to go in.
When identifying the core players of the roster, these are the players that you are planning on having beyond two years. You are making roster decisions with the idea in mind that you can trust them at their position, and do not need to look into replacing them, whether it be in the near or immediate future.
With that in mind, these ten players are the most likely to be on the Bears roster, and in the plans moving forward, even after the 2021 season.
With that in mind, we will address the elephant in the room with the Honorable mention players.
Akiem Hicks and Cordarelle Patterson were the two closest players to making this list. For Hicks, it is simple. He is 30 years old, he is coming off of a serious injury, and he is a free agent at the end of 2021. The Bears will no doubt rely on him next season, but the 2021 draft may see them taking a shot at a player who can replace Hicks after that season. By that time Hicks will be closing in on age 33. The Bears may want to keep him for another year or two, but he will not be relied on in the same regard moving forward.
Patterson is a free agent after 2020, but the Bears are likely to extend him. He is a core special teamer and has found a role in Chicago. There is a good chance he will be sticking around, but without a major impact on the offense, he is not quite a core player, although it can be argued.
10. Kyle Fuller
Fuller was the closest to seeing Patterson or Hicks make the list over him. The Bears are truly going to have this type of tough decision between Hicks and Fuller in a couple of years as well. Fuller is set to be a free agent after 2021, the same year as Hicks. However, Fuller is two years younger and has been healthier in recent times. Fuller is still at the top of his game.
If the Bears are to look long term, they are likely to include Fuller in their long term plans.