Chicago Bears training camp came to a close at Bourbonnais on Sunday with the final practice being closed to the public. Head coach Matt Nagy expressed optimism about the progress the team made over the past few weeks and believes everything is headed in the right direction. As always there’s plenty of work left to do.
This begs the question. Who among the 90 names on the roster gained or lost the most during camp this year? Who were the winners and losers? To answer this it’s important to note that no starters will be involved in the discussion as their jobs and places on the roster are the most secure. This is about those who truly had something to gain or lose by what they did down there.
Here are eight names that stood out the most and what it could mean for the future.
WINNERS:
Javon Wims (WR)
Fellow rookie Anthony Miller has been the star of camp, but most people expected that with him being a second round pick. There was plenty more for seventh rounder Javon Wims to gain if he could stand out. This he has done. Not only did he deliver a series of strong practices, he was excellent in his preseason debut with seven catches for 89 yards. There’s still a lot of growing to do from a discipline standpoint (catch concentration and route running). Still, the 6’4 kid from Georgia has shown he might be a steal.
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Rashaad Coward (OT)
What a story this is becoming. Rashaad Coward was a little-known undrafted defensive tackle out of Old Dominion last year. Bears coaches came to him this offseason saying his best chance to make the roster in 2018 was considering a switch to offensive tackle. Coward agreed and worked tirelessly in practice to learn the position. His improvement in camp and the preseason has been rather remarkable, almost to the point that some think he could end up being the heir apparent to Bobby Massie.
Mitchell Trubisky throws his first interception of the day to Nick Kwiatkoski, who probably would return it for a TD in a real game. pic.twitter.com/weSIbTnbru
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) July 28, 2018
Nick Kwiatkoski (ILB)
First round pick Roquan Smith failed to make a single practice in training camp. Nobody was happier about that development than Nick Kwiatkoski. The third-year veteran was strong in practice every week and is now all but locked in as the season-opening starter alongside Danny Trevathan no matter what Smith does. Considering where his stock was right after the #8 overall pick was drafted? This is quite the turn of events.
DeAndre Houston-Carson (S)
This was probably one of the last names people expected to hear mentioned going into this year. Most had relegated DeAndre Houston-Carson, the Bears’ 2016 sixth round pick, to a solid special teams player. It would see that did not sit well with him as he’s proceeded to make himself right at home making plays on defense. He’s around the football much more than he’s been in the past, and that could bode well for his future if it continues.
LOSERS:
Chase Daniel (QB)
The reason the Bears signed Chase Daniel as a backup quarterback was perfectly reasonable. His prior knowledge of the Matt Nagy offensive system could prove invaluable to helping Mitch Trubisky adapt to it quickly. However, that is only one responsibility of a backup and not the most important one. At some point, the team may have to ask Daniel to go out and win them some games. Thus far the results in practice and preseason leave serious question marks as to whether he can.
Eric Kush (OG)
He had the benefit of being a favorite of offensive line coach Harry Hiestand but Eric Kush didn’t get off to his best start in Cincinnati. He missed a notable block in that game and is now threatened with the surging rookie James Daniels. With center off the table for the second round pick, left guard has become the spot he has to win and his play speaks volumes about whether he’s deserving of that honor. Kush may be facing the inevitable at this point.
Need more Chase Daniel. Straight in my veins. #FootballBack pic.twitter.com/NyQiZ6En0e
— Pat (@Zone_Blitzed) August 3, 2018
Marcus Cooper (CB)
You know it’s not going your way when you get picked on repeatedly during a game and then follow that up with an untimely injury. Marcus Cooper put up an ugly game in Cincinnati and is now dealing with a knee bruise. His spot on the roster was already dicey thanks to the ascent of some young corners on the roster. This is only making things clearer. Unless he can deliver a rebound performance, he may not survive final cuts.
Aaron Lynch (OLB)
Many felt free agent signing Aaron Lynch was poised to become the comeback story of the year in Chicago. A guy who flamed out in San Francisco reunites with his former coach Vic Fangio and gets his career back on track. Then he promptly goes out, injures his hamstring, and missed almost all of camp and two preseason games. That optimism is long gone and it’s hard to say where he stands on the depth chart anymore.
