Standout player from Chicago Bears Hall of Fame game faces uphill climb

The NFL's Hall of Fame Game is all about unknown players beginning to make a name for themselves. At the bottom of the Chicago Bears' roster, players are competing to keep their jobs or to climb up the depth chart. 

One player who had a significant game was Collin Johnson. Johnson recorded three catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns, making a couple of highlight-worthy plays in the process. Johnson was on the practice squad last year and even found his way onto the roster by the end of the year due to injuries around him. 

So, while he heads into this year on the outside looking in, there is a chance he could make the roster.

The odds are stacked against him. The Bears have three wide receivers who did not even play because they are not only locked on the roster, but they are also starters. Rome Odunze joins Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore as the top three on the depth chart. 

The Bears will keep five and maybe six wide receivers, so there are only two spots for him. One of those spots will go to a return man. Whether it be Velus Jones, Tyler Scott, DeAndre Carter, Dante Pettis or Nsimba Webster, one of them is a lock to make the roster due to return game ability that Johnson simply does not have. 

A worst-case scenario for Johnson would be to see someone like Jones win the kick return job but lose the punt return job to someone like Carter. Both would lock themselves on the roster, and it would make Johnson the number six at best. 

Does Collin Johnson have a path to making the Chicago Bears' 53-man roster?

The last thought is Tyler Scott. Scott is only entering his second NFL season. He did not produce like Johnson in the Hall of Fame and his career has been quiet. However, the Bears did not draft him to produce as a rookie, they drafted him because they liked his potential. 

If Scott can win a return job, it may be best for Johnson. If Scott cannot, it is hard to see the team choosing Johnson over him. 

A worst-case scenario for Johnson would involve Scott getting the nod due to the youth factor, while Jones and Carter fill out the room due to special teams. A best-case scenario involves Scott winning the return jobs, and thus, both Jones and Carter are expendable. 

The reality is that while the catches were great if Johnson wants to make the roster, he may need to show he can play special teams. Johnson had a role on special teams as recently as 2021, but even when he was called up last year he hardly played that role. So, for now, it was a great performance, but it may be nothing more than that. Johnson is still outside the roster looking in.