The fourth preseason game is unlikely to sway the upcoming roster decisions all that much. Whoever is going to make the team has likely already done so. That’s why this Chicago Bears 53-man roster projection can be viewed as the closest to what fans will see when the Packers arrive for the opener on September 5th. It’s a matter of trying to squeeze as many good players onto the depth chart as possible.
In these situations, one must ask a key question. Who among the tough cuts are the most likely to slip through waivers and can be retained on the practice squad? That is the dilemma GM Ryan Pace and the coaching staff face. Not to mention whether or not they wish to add one or two faces from another team via the waiver wire. As things stand though, they have a chance to put together a formidable roster.
Here is the latest breakdown from top to bottom.
Chicago Bears 53-man roster projection:
Quarterback
- Mitch Trubisky
- Chase Daniel
Cut: Tyler Bray
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A lot of people are growing uncomfortable with the idea of Chase Daniel being the backup again in 2019. It’s not hard to see why. His last relief appearance was that disastrous game against the New York Giants. His preseason this past month has also not inspired renewed confidence. That said. It may be too late to do anything about it. He’s a veteran, knows the offense, and might be able to survive with enough talent around him. Tyler Bray served his purpose in the preseason but the Bears have no room for him.
Running back
- David Montgomery
- Tarik Cohen
- Mike Davis
- Kerrith Whyte
Cut: Ryan Nall, Josh Caldwell
This will be one of the toughest positions to whittle down because the Bears have so many players who can contribute. In the end, it comes down to special teams value. Ryan Nall is a good all-around player who can run and catch the ball. The problem is he can’t offer the added dimension of kick return capability that Kerrith Whyte can. Josh Caldwell has some interesting ability as well but he arrived a little too late to the party.
Wide receiver
- Allen Robinson
- Taylor Gabriel
- Anthony Miller
- Javon Wims
- Cordarrelle Patterson
- Riley Ridley
Cut: Marvin Hall, Thomas Ives, Jordan Williams-Lambert, Tanner Gentry, Taquan Mizzell, Joe Walker
The Bears are most definitely deep at wide receiver. Just not enough to warrant carrying seven as many thought might be possible. They now appear to have four players who can contribute in a big way on Sundays with Robinson, Gabriel, Miller, and Wims. Patterson is their kick returner and will be a prominent gadget man on offense. Ridley got off to a slow start due to health setbacks but he’s flashed the advanced skill set that made him so attractive to the team out of Georgia.
Tight end
- Trey Burton
- Adam Shaheen
- Ben Braunecker
- Ian Bunting
Cut: Bradley Sowell, Dax Raymond, Jesper Horsted, Ellis Richardson
This might be the biggest gamble of any other position. Burton, Shaheen, and Braunecker are locked into their spots. The biggest battle is between Ian Bunting and Bradley Sowell. Being a former tackle, Sowell has the edge as a blocker but has shown nothing as a receiving option. Bunting is far superior in that regard but his blocking needs a ton of work. Chicago would be risking a lack of blocking skill with this group in favor of more explosive receiving potential. That and the fact Bunting is more useful on special teams.
Offensive line
- Charles Leno Jr.
- Bobby Massie
- Rashaad Coward
- Alex Bars
- Cody Whitehair
- James Daniels
- Kyle Long
- Ted Larsen
Cut: Cornelius Lucas, T.J. Clemmings, Marquez Tucker, Sam Mustipher, Joe Lowery, Jordan McCray, Tommy Doles, Blake Blackmar
It’s amazing how a seemingly tough injury to a weak position may have actually been a blessing in disguise. When T.J. Clemmings went down with a quad tear, it forced the Bears to move rookie guard Alex Bars to tackle. When he performed well, they realized they may have a unique advantage. Somebody who can play both inside and outside. This enables them to only have to carry one backup tackle, keeping their full slate of offensive linemen down to eight and freeing up a critical roster spot for use elsewhere.
Defensive line
- Akiem Hicks
- Eddie Goldman
- Bilal Nichols
- Roy Robertson-Harris
- Nick Williams
- Jonathan Bullard
Cut: Daryle Banfield, Abdullah Anderson, Jalen Dalton, Jonathan Harris
The Bears carried six defensive linemen last year. Part of this was because of how Vic Fangio wanted it. However, it was also due to its considerable depth of talent. That plays out again here. Robertson-Harris could be a starter on another team. Williams has become a steady presence as a reserve. Bullard may never live up to his draft billing. Still, he’s a solid run defender who can be useful in the right situations.
Outside linebacker
- Khalil Mack
- Leonard Floyd
- Aaron Lynch
- James Vaughters
Cut: Isaiah Irving, Kylie Fitts, Chuck Harris, Mathieu Betts
The edge rush is in good hands with Khalil Mack. That said, the Bears have a lot of concerns regarding their depth. Floyd and Lynch don’t exactly have the most dependable injury histories, which makes the deeper reserve spot that much more important. As of now, James Vaughters has stood out the most this preseason with two strip-sacks in two weeks. He’s earned the spot over his primary competitor Isaiah Irving. That said, it wouldn’t be a surprise if an outsider got in on this.
Inside linebacker
- Roquan Smith
- Danny Trevathan
- Nick Kwiatkoski
- Joel Iyiegbuniwe
- Josh Woods
Cut: Kevin Pierre-Louis, Jameer Thurman
This position may quietly be the deepest on the entire roster. Roquan Smith looks like a budding Pro Bowler. Danny Trevathan is a great leader and a dependable starter. Kwiatkoski and Iyiegbuniwe both showed out well as reserves last year and continued to do so this preseason. The hard one to keep off the roster would’ve been Josh Woods who has done excellent work this summer but thanks to some fortunate breaks elsewhere, the Bears are able to squeeze him onto the depth chart.
Cornerback
- Kyle Fuller
- Prince Amukamara
- Buster Skrine
- Duke Shelley
- Kevin Toliver
- Michael Joseph
Cut: John Franklin III, Clifton Duck, Stephen Denmark
Matt Nagy said he believes the team has four cornerbacks on the roster who are good players. Fuller, Amukamara, and Skrine are the obvious choices. Rookie Duke Shelley though has stood out consistently in training camp and the preseason. Toliver was a steady backup last year and has plenty of room to grow under Chuck Pagano. The toughest choice was Michael Joseph. Franklin III and Duck both had nice moments this past month, but he’s been the most consistent.
Safety
- Eddie Jackson
- Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
- Deon Bush
- Sherrick McManis
- DeAndre Houston-Carson
Cut: Jonathon Mincy, Doyin Jibowu
Deon Bush is starting to look like a player who will start in the near future. His improvement has been rather profound over the past few months. McManis and Houston-Carson are retained for their flexibility and excellent special teams skill. Something the Bears will need after their coverage units struggled quite a bit this preseason. It will be fascinating to see how the pairing of Jackson and Clinton-Dix are deployed.
Specialists
- Pat O’Donnell
- Patrick Scales
- Eddy Pineiro
Cut: John Wirtel
Don’t expect any more drama at kicker. Eddy Pineiro’s standout game in Indianapolis all but cemented the job. He’d have to monumentally choke in the preseason finale and that feels unlikely. The Bears believe in him and seem fully prepared to ride into 2019 on his leg. O’Donnell has looked strong at punter and Scales has done nothing to make one think he should lose his starting job to Wirtel despite the latter’s solid play.
Practice squad
- Ryan Nall
- Thomas Ives
- Sam Mustipher
- Dax Raymond
- Daryle Banfield
- Chuck Harris
- John Franklin III
- Clifton Duck
Nall deserved to be on the Bears roster but the numbers game was against him. The good news is he’s only in his second year and can remain on the practice squad. Ives is an intriguing young receiver with a 6’5 frame and a skill template that can be molded into something more. Mustipher quietly blocked well in the preseason and could be a candidate for making the roster in 2020.
Raymond had some hard luck in the preseason due to most of the throws coming his way being off-target. The Bears have good reasons to remain interested though. Banfield showed some interesting traits as a pass rusher for a guy who is 300 lbs. Harris? He hasn’t had any flash plays yet he’s done enough to at least warrant further evaluation. Franklin III and Duck have different abilities at corner that are worth keeping around.
