The Chicago Bears added several playmakers to their roster at multiple positions, meaning there is going to be a high level of competition all throughout the roster. Head coach Ben Johnson has stated that there is no depth chart and the spots for starters will be earned, not given.
For at least three players on the roster, the recent draft selections by the Bears should put them on notice and give them an understanding that there is real competition coming for their spot, and they'll have to outperform the young guys coming in.
Here's a look at three players who have been put on notice with the Bears 2025 draft class:
Braxton Jones
Recovering from a fractured fibula he sustained late last season, Jones already has an uphill battle to get back to his normal form. While Jones may not be one of the NFL's elite left tackles, he has done a very good job holding down the position, but with new head coach Ben Johnson running the show, there could be a change coming. There have been conversations about moving Darnell Wright from right tackle to left tackle, but then there's also second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo out of Boston College.
During his time at Boston College, Trapilo spent two years at right tackle and two years at left tackle, so his versatility is there. It's hard to imagine the team spending a second-round pick on Trapilo just to have him ride the bench, so they, at the very minimum, will likely leave the door open for him to compete for a spot on the starting offensive line. Jones could be the odd man out, whether it be from Wright taking his spot or Trapilo winning the spot as a rookie.
Roschon Johnson
The running back position was a big topic of conversation going into the draft, with rumors flying that they could be targeting Ashton Jeanty, who went 6th overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Bears would end up selecting Kyle Monangai out of Rutgers in the seventh round, and that is the lone addition they've had in the running back room this offseason. There's still a possibility they add a veteran free agent, with rumors swirling about who that could be, but for now, Roschon Johnson is on notice.
During his time as offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions, new Bears head coach Ben Johnson thrived with a running back duo made up of one back who is elusive and the other who is more of a bruiser. Johnson would fit the bruising, powerful type of runner, but so does Monangai. He more than likely is a depth piece to begin, but with a strong showing in preseason, Monangai could find the field over Johnson in his first year.
Tyrique Stevenson
The most polarizing defensive player on the Bears roster in 2024, Stevenson has his work cut out for him this upcoming season. New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is one of the most fierce defensive minded coaches in the league, and there's a feeling that he's going to either bring out the best in every single player or they're going to lose playing time.
In the fifth round of this year's draft, Chicago selected cornerback Zah Frazier out of UTSA and although he'll have his own battle to earn a roster spot, he could be waiting back and watching Stevenson's play throughout the year. The veteran was one of the most criticized players on the team last year, and if there are any missteps in his play, Frazier could find himself on the field sooner rather than later for Allen's defense.