As the Chicago Bears get ready to kick off training camp, most fans aren't anticipating any real big surprises when it comes to this final roster. Sure, there are some battles that need sorting. But, in terms of the players who make the roster?
No big surprises are expected.
How will the left tackle battle shake out? Who steps up in the wide receiver room? Do the Bears find a pass rush out of thin air?
These are questions worth asking. And, while we aren't prepared to be overly shocked, there might still be some hidden surprises to come out of Ben Johnson and Ryan Poles' final decisions.
Here's how I see things shaking out right before camp opens up.
Chicago Bears 53-man roster prediction before training camp
Quarterbacks: Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum
Running Backs: D'Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai
Wide Receivers: Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, Jahdae Walker, Zavion Thomas, Scotty Miller
Tight Ends: Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, Sam Roush, Stephen Carlson
Offensive Line: Braxton Jones, Joe Thuney, Garrett Bradbury, Jonah Jackson, Darnell Wright, Theo Benedet, Logan Jones, Luke Newman, Jordan McFadden
Defensive Line: Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr., Austin Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, Neville Gallimore, Jordan van den Berg, Shemar Turner, Kentavius Street
Linebackers: T.J. Edwards, Devin Bush, D'Marco Jackson, Keyshaun Elliott, Ruben Hyppolite, Noah Sewell, Jack Sanborn
Cornerbacks: Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Malik Muhammad, Josh Blackwell, Terell Smith
Safeties: Coby Bryant, Dillon Thienieman, Cam Lewis, Elijah Hicks
Specialists: Cairo Santos, Tory Taylor, Luke Elkin
Biggest surprise: Bears only keep two running backs
You might have wondered what was going on here, but I just have this gut feeling that the Bears' third running back isn't currently on the roster. The coaching staff showed how they felt about Roschon Johnson last year. He was healthy, but took on just two carries all year long. He wasn't utilized.
Maybe they call up Ben Johnson's old friend, Craig Reynolds, who is still a free agent right now. Maybe they do the likely thing and scour other teams' cuts for a back they feel would fit.
Players immediately in danger: Jack Sanborn, Stephen Carlson, Kentavius Street
Now, one thing to keep in mind here is the fact that the Bears will inevitably need to create a couple of roster spots. One of them will be right away once they find a third running back they'd like to keep on the roster, while another one will surely be when Ozzy Trapilo comes back off injured reserve.
Jack Sanborn made it as the final linebacker here, but he might be one of the first to go in either of these cases. Another option might be tight end Stephen Carlson, who has been a practice squad member in the past. But with some teams going more tight end-heavy, the Bears may want to carry four.
Kentavius Street could also be one the Bears consider a fringe player. The money wasn't huge on his one-year deal, and between him and Gallimore, the Bears would likely keep Gallimore.
Training camp's biggest roster toss-up: Long snapper
I have Luke Elkin making it over Beau Gardner here, but it could truly go any way. Elkin spent some time at Iowa with Tory Taylor, so they have a relationship. But Gardner was considered, by many, to be college football's best long snapper last season.
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In any event, I think the Bears actually have two great options, and this will be one of the battles worth watching, although nobody is currently talking about it.
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