As the Chicago Bears are busy trying to stay focused amidst all of the hype, there are some tough decisions ahead. All NFL teams must trim their rosters from 90 to 53 by Aug. 27, and there are some intriguing spots to watch on this squad when it all goes down.
While many fans have been wrapped up in Caleb Williams' performance in the preseason, there are still several position battles that need to be figured out. As usual, the end-of-roster roles are going to be difficult to decide on.
Judging by preseason performances and how training camp went for many reserves, though, we can at least pick out a few specific players who will likely be on the outside looking in at the final 53-man product.
Which of the veterans are included in that group? Let's look at five, in particular.
Which Bears veterans won't make it onto the final roster?
Dante Pettis, WR
This one might be tough to stomach after watching him put on a show against the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend, but Dante Pettis probably won't wind up on this final roster. If I had to guess, the wide receiver room will look like this:
D.J. Moore
Keenan Allen
Rome Odunze
Tyler Scott
Velus Jones Jr.
Collin Johnson
A lot of fans don't want to see Jones make the roster, and the Bears have been trying hard to find a place for him. I believe Ryan Poles is almost ready to admit failure on that pick, but not this season.
Doug Kramer, C
Since coming to the Bears, Doug Kramer has been a practice squad player and, thanks to the team's additions this offseason, he'll continue to be in that conversation. Coleman Shelton and Ryan Bates are the primary depth at center, and the Bears have four other interior linemen who will stay at guard. That leaves Kramer as an obvious man out.
Tommy Sweeney, TE
We've seen Tommy Sweeney make some plays over the last month or so, but the Bears are too talented at tight end for him to stand a chance making the team. Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett and Marcedes Lewis are locked in as the top three, and Stephen Carlson is still ahead of Sweeney.
Khalid Kareem, DE
Are the Bears finally starting to figure out their pass rush? Other than Montez Sweat, it looks like rookie Austin Booker and veteran Daniel Hardy are going to have an impact, along with DeMarcus Walker. That's four pass rushers, right there, and we might see Dominique Robinson hang around still, too.
Khalid Kareem has not done enough to make a name for himself, while others have stepped up and now deserve a key role on this team.
Adrian Colbert, S
This is a pretty easy one to explain. The Bears have their top four safeties locked and loaded between Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard, Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks. It's tough to see the Bears keeping five safeties, which leaves Adrian Colbert without a job, unfortunately.