10 biggest questions facing Chicago Bears in 2023 season

6. Which rookie defensive lineman can earn a starting job for the Chicago Bears first?

The Chicago Bears have two temporary starters on the interior defensive line. Andrew Billings and Justin Jones could both be viewed as stop-gaps, and both of them will be free agents after this season. Meanwhile, Zacch Pickens and Gervon Dexter were round-two draft picks and will be on the roster for the next four seasons. In a perfect world, the Chicago Bears see of, or both of Dexter and Pickens step up and start this season. The question is, who can do it first?

The odds are it that it will be Pickens. Pickens has mainly played the one technique that would back up Billings. He was more NFL-ready than Dexter entering the NFL and may have a quicker path to the field.

Still, Dexter could come on quickly, and he has the potential to be that long-term starter. Does the team try to push Justin Jones out at some point? Both rookies have chances to start and will be incentivized to push their starters. We will see who earns it first.