While there is plenty to be excited about in the initial practice squad list for Chicago Bears fans, there are also some complaints.
The biggest problem with it is that it's actually too good a list. If fans looked at the list, they'd see legit arguments for why some players on it should be on the 53-man roster instead of the practice squad.
Four players out of the 11 should be on the active roster at the moment and not on the sidelines. Here is a look at why each of them can argue that they need to be one of the 53 players right now.
Which Bears practice squad members should be on the 53-man roster?
Salvon Ahmed, RB
This one was a no-brainer, and everyone in Chicago is questioning it. Ahmed averaged 6.6 yards per carry and caught six passes for 69 yards and scored a 49-yard touchdown in the preseason as one of the bright spots of the offense.
The fact that Roschon Johnson beat Ahmed out for the RB3 job is one that still upsets the Bears fans since Johnson's vision on the field was questioned. His missed open-lane run against the Cincinnati Bengals in the preseason got the fan base riled up. At least Ahmed is still in Chicago, but it is frustrating to see him on the practice squad instead of the active roster.
Caden Barnett, OL
Barnett had a really solid training camp and preseason for the Bears. Many expected it from him, since he was a popular choice to be the team's best undrafted free agent.
The Bears had too much depth on the offensive line, so it is understandable why he didn't initially make it. Still, he feels like a guy who should be on it and could have jumped someone like Luke Newman to make the team.
Wayne Matthews, LB
This one is more about the depth concerns at linebacker with only four on the roster, but Matthews actually did have a good preseason in Chicago. He finished tied for first on the team with 14 tackles and showed his aggression in finding the ball carrier.
If the injury situation doesn't improve at linebacker, maybe the Bears will call Matthews up to the active roster. They'd better do it quickly, but fans shouldn't worry because if things go like last year at linebacker, Matthews has a good chance of actually starting in 2026.
Read more: Bears only needed 24 hours to make James Lynch decision right again
Kaden Davis, WR
Davis is another obvious choice, and if it hadn't been for all those injuries on defense, he would have made the team easily. He finished the preseason with five catches for 93 yards, including a 41-yard completion, and had five kickoff returns for 95 yards with three punt returns for 34 yards.
There's no doubt he gets the first call if an injury happens at wide receiver for the Bears or if they need a returner. Chicago probably should have gone with six receivers, but Davis will eventually get his chance.
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