Chicago Bears: 2021 53-man roster projection heading into training camp

Predicting the Chicago Bears 53-man roster: Linebackers

Next up are the linebackers. This could be broken down into two groups – inside linebackers and outside linebackers. We will just lump them together for this purpose though. Last season, the Chicago Bears kept nine linebackers — four inside linebackers and five outside linebackers. I have them doing the same thing this year.

Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan are the obvious starters. The team brought back Christian Jones this year and I have him making the final roster. The last spot will be between Josh Woods and Joel Iyiegbuniwe. The team also has two other linebackers on the roster, Austin Calitro and Caleb Johnson, but I don’t think either make the final roster.

When it comes to the outside linebackers, Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn are the clear starters. The hope is that Quinn finds his true form this year as he struggled last season. Drop foot was the rumored cause of his problems, but we shall see. The Chicago Bears added Jeremiah Attaochu in free agency and he is actually a very underrated signing who could fill in if Quinn continues to struggle to be effective. Sophomore outside linebacker Trevis Gipson could help too.

As of now, the Chicago Bears will be keeping nine linebackers on the roster.

Inside Linebackers:

• Roquan Smith
• Danny Trevathan
• Christian Jones
• Joel Iyiegbuniwe

Outside Linebackers:

• Khalil Mack
• Robert Quinn
• Jeremiah Attaochu
• Trevis Gipson
• James Vaughters