It is only one week of training camp, so the movers and shakers are just small little ripples as of now. However, every day is a day for these players to make the most of their chances and earn starting jobs, roster spots, or big-money contracts. Who are some players on the Chicago Bears who are seeing their stock rise after the first week?
3. Terrell Lewis is the biggest riser for the Chicago Bears
If anyone has gone from off of the 53-man roster to the bubble or potentially to the brink of making it in one week, it is Terrell Lewis. That is hard to say because the pads have not even come on, and that means that the line play is mainly just some speed and basic combat. However, Terrell Lewis has had a steady drumbeat from all reports since back in May.
Lewis has always been a star talent, but he has not been able to stay healthy. He is healthy now, and we are seeing why he went to Alabama and even got drafted on day two despite the injuries concerns sparking in college.
When you look at the Chicago Bears roster, it is easy to see a path for Lewis to make it. Most would assume that he is currently behind Demarcus Walker, Rasheem Green, Trevis Gipson, and Dominique Robinson. However, that is because of his past of getting cut by the Rams and not about his play. On the field, he can compete with each and every person listed, snap for snap.
It will be interesting to see if the momentum remains for Lewis as the intensity of training camp heats up. Lewis could go from the bubble to a lock on the roster to competing to start really quickly.
2. The Chicago Bears are throwing Tyrique Stevenson into the fire
Tyrique Stevenson was a second-round draft pick, but the Chicago Bears traded up to get him, so you know they valued him a bit higher than he was selected. It shows that the team has been throwing him into the fire by starting him with the first-team defense from day one on.
This is notable for two reasons. In nickel, Kindle Vildor started on the outside. You do not hear much of anything about Vildor with the starting defense now. That is impressive to beat out a starter on day one.
More than that, in base, it was Kyler Gordon on the outside. Now, all of the talk is that Gordon is singularly focused on playing the slot this year. Gordon said he is still working on the outside, but he has been behind Stevenson when that occurs. Gordon was a second-round pick too, and he was taken just last year.
We thought that Stevenson would beat Gordon, we did not know it would come within the first week. That speaks to the upside that Stevenson is bringing to the table.
1. Cole Kmet is the winner of the week for the Chicago Bears
This one should be pretty obvious. Some players are competing for their roster spot, some are competing for a starting spot, and then there is Cole Kmet, who was working to get himself a contract. To be fair, it does seem like Kmet just had to show up ready to participate to get the deal done.
Still, he did just that, and he got the first-ever extension from Ryan Poles. It helps both sides figure out their long-term plans without worrying about what can happen this year. For Kmet, it is long-term security that could have been taken away with an injury or a poor season. Now, he is protected.
This should speak to his role in the offense. Some fans thought that Robert Tonyan would come in and pass up Kmet, but at his age and injury history, he is a tougher long-term bet. It is clear the Chicago Bears favor Kmet tomorrow, but also today. His role should be pretty strong this year, and they seem to be thinking that paying him now will save them money because a strong year could lead to even more money.