With one final game remaining on the Chicago Bears 2024 preseason schedule, the focus is now on the team's 53-man roster.
With cuts expected to begin this weekend, we take another look at the projected roster.
Quarterback (2) - Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent
Tyson Bagent locked down the backup job with a solid performance against the Bengals' defense. The Bears can take advantage of the new rule which allows the emergency quarterback to get called up from the practice squad an unlimited amount of times. Brett Rypien will essentially be on the roster without counting all season as long as not other teams decides to sign him.
Bagent beat him out with his play, but he also has not been in the league as long as Rypien and would have to clear waivers.
Running back (6): DeAndre Swift, Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, Velus Jones Jr., Khari Blasingame
This is a deep running back room, but the Bears end up light in other areas because of this. Velus Jones makes it as a running back, which allows them to add one less wide receiver into the mix.
Khari Blasingame's position as a fullback allows them to get a bit more thin at the tight end position. Then, you have your four typical running backs: Swift, Herbert, Johnson, and Homer. Homer has worked with Caleb Williams often due to Johnson's injury. This, plus special teams value, should make Homer a lock.
Wide Receiver (5): D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Tyler Scott, Nsimba Webster
Velus Jones shifting to running back really changes the complexion of the room. Collin Johnson was set to make the roster, but he has not practiced in a few weeks and his league-wide momentum is gone. He will be able to circle back to the practice squad.
DeAndre Carter has been injured as well, and he did not nail down the punt return job. This has opened the door for someone like Nsimba Webster or Dante Pettis. Both had their best performance in the last preseason game. They are both also in the running for the starting punt return job due to the injury to DeAndre Carter. They both have an underrated chance to make the roster.
Tight End (3): Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, Marcedes Lewis
This one should be pretty cut and dry. Since they are keeping extra running backs they have to save the roster spots, and none of the contenders for the fourth tight end spot have shown enough to stick on the roster.
Offensive line (10): Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, Nate Davis, Darnell Wright, Jake Curhan, Ryan Bates, Bill Murray, Matt Pryor, Larry Borom
Depth is key here and this is one year that the Chicago Bears cannot be short on offensive lineman. That is why it not be too crazy to initially keep ten lineman, when teams will typically keep eight or nine.
They have their starting five. Ryan Bates is a lock to make as is Matt Pryor. They both bring position versatility, which may be what causes the team to keep a few less lineman. Still, Bates has been banged up already. Beyond that, someone like Bill Murray is playing well enough he may lock himself onto the roster.
The Bears do not want to be thin at tackle, so keeping both Borom and Curhan is not out of the question, especially after Jones was hurt last year, and Wright has been up and down in the preseason. Kiram Amegadjie is not even listed, but he is on the NFI list. Considering he has not returned yet, he should start there, which will allow him to miss six games.
Defensive Line (8): Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter, Andrew Billings, DeMarcus Walker, Zacch Pickens, Byron Cowart, Austin Booker, Jacob Martin
If the Bears go lighter on offense, either at offensive line or running back they may want to add some depth here. The starting four is locked in and Zacch Pickens and Austin Booker have shown enough to be rotational piece. Cowart has outplayed Michael Dwumfour so far in the preseason, and should have an inside shot at a roster spot. The question comes down to Jacob Martin.
Martin has been injured and hardly practiced in the past couple of weeks. Still, the team knows what they have in much more than Dominique Robinson and Daniel Hardy. More than that, the Bears can place Martin on IR with a designation to return if he makes the initial 53-man roster. Both Robinson and Hardy are likely to clear waivers and circle back to the roster if needed.
Linebacker (5): Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards, Jack Sanborn, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Micah Baskerville
The top four are set in and look good. Baskerville has done enough to make it as a fifth linebacker. He has not only flashed with impact plays on defense, he has shown well on special teams.
The only question is Noah Sewell. However, he has been injured over the past couple of weeks, and the Bears may even end his season with an IR designation. They also could see him get cut and circle back to the practice squad. The question should be whether he makes it with Baskerville, not over him at this point.
Cornerback (7): Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Terell Smith, Jaylon Jones, Josh Blackwell, Greg Stroman
The Bears not having a ninth defensive lineman or sixth linebacker allows them to carry seven cornerbacks. The group with top-heavy talent also goes deep. The top four are roster locks. Terell Smith had a preseason interception and is becoming one of the best backup cornerbacks in the NFL.
Josh Blackwell had a great game as well and locked down the backup slot job. Jaylon Jones and Greg Stroman made the roster last year and provided on special teams. Stroman has slot and outside versatility. It is hard to make a case for any of the seven being left off of the roster.
Safety (4): Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard, Elijah Hicks, Jonathan Owens
The top four are locked in. Hicks and Owens started against the Bengals with Byard and Brisker out. Owens is more of a backup to Brisker while Hicks would backup Byard. The only question is whether they need a fifth safety in the mix. Adrian Colbert has been banged up, so it would be Quindell Johnston. Still, if the question is a fifth safety or tenth offensive lineman, the offensive line depth is a bigger need.
Special Teams (3): Cairo Santos, Patrick Scales, Tory Taylor
This is pretty cut and dry with no real thoughts of anything else happening.