The Chicago Bears are off to a stellar 8-3 start and are in first place in the NFC North, a place most fans didn't think was possible at the beginning of the season.
They have gotten some surprise performances from unknown players who have stepped up in a big way. From Nahshon Wright to Kyle Monanagai, the Bears have been about to overachieve in a way they haven't done in the last five years.
That doesn't mean there haven't been some dud performances along the way this season that make some fans wonder how they have been able to stay on the roster for this long. Here's a look at five players who should be thankful they still have a job.
Olamide Zaccheaus, WR
Based on his poor performance in the New York Giants game with his blocking and drops, Zaccheaus should count his blessings that he still has a job. He's caught 33 of his 51 targets for 254 yards and one touchdown on the season. His 43.1% catch percentage is hard to ignore, with some of that being on Caleb Williams' off-target throws. Zaccheaus has not been as reliable a receiver as Bears fans were hoping he would be when he signed in the offseason.
Roschon Johnson, RB
Johnson has been a massive disappointment this season after being the short-yardage back for the Bears over the last few seasons. Injuries and getting outplayed by rookie seventh-round pick Monangai haven't helped his cause, as he has just two carries for 17 yards. Once healthy, there should be a conversation about why he is on the team, as it might be a long shot with him, depending on the running back situation in the offseason.
Nick McCloud, CB
Any time McCloud has come in to help with injuries in the secondary, he has left a ton to be desired. He's got 24 tackles this season with four starts of the 11 games he's played in. It's hard for a cornerback to get zero pass deflections, so that just shows he's not playing tight coverage enough. So, with Wright's emergence, is there a reason someone else couldn't be trained to be a nickel corner behind Kyler Gordon?
Jonathan Owens, S
It certainly helps that Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III have been healthy all season, but Owens has been reduced to a special teams role with 17 tackles. Owens is a solid player, but C.J. Gardner-Johnson gives them a great option at safety if Byard or Brisker gets hurt, and with Gordon returning, Owens would seem like an option to let walk.
Read more: Bears' latest Week 13 injury report has fans preparing for impending doom at LB
Travis Homer, RB
Here's another running back that, outside of special teams, doesn't really impact the Bears in any way. He's got five tackles and -2 yards of offense. Brittain Brown has looked better as a back and could develop into a special teams guy, so that seems like a cheaper and better option for the Bears.