With the 2025 NFL draft and rookie mini-camp in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take a look at what the Bears’ roster could look like in Week 1.
The 2025 NFL Draft and rookie mini-camps have concluded, and the fruits of each general manager’s offseason labor can be seen more clearly. For the Chicago Bears, it’s been another season of vast changes. It started with a brand new coaching staff, which led to significant changes in the trenches. The Bears have been the biggest “winners” in the NFC North for what feels like the third-straight offseason, but will it be enough to get them out of the cellar?
Let’s examine the Bears’ current roster more closely and consider what it might look like without any other significant moves heading into Week 1.
Quarterback (3): Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, and Case Keenum
After the conclusion of the 2024 regular season, it became apparent that not having a proven veteran leader in the quarterback room was a mistake. After hiring a new coaching staff and most of the free agent dust had settled, the Bears committed to surrounding Williams with the proper support system to succeed. Although it’s possible that they could opt to go with two quarterbacks once the regular season begins, the team still seems to value Bagent as the primary backup. Barring injury, this group appears set.
Practice Squad: Austin Reed
Running Back (4): D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Kyle Munangai, Travis Homer
If you had asked me at the start of the offseason for an over/under on how many new names this group would have, I would have set the number at 1.5. It’s hard to imagine many scenarios where the Bears believed they would come out of the draft with just one seventh-round running back, yet here we are. This is one of the few areas left on the depth chart where the Bears could monitor potential veterans. This appears to be the group they’ll roll with unless Wheeler or Hankins surprises.
Practice Squad: Ian Wheeler
Tight End (3): Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, and Durham Smythe
There’s a world where the team could choose to keep four names at the position, but considering the quality of these three at the top of the depth chart, that seems unlikely. Smythe will act as the primary blocker, while Kmet and Loveland split time as the primary tight end on the field. Fans can expect head coach Ben Johnson to run plenty of 12-personnel, but don’t be surprised if they bring Loveland along slowly at the start of the year until he proves he can handle a bigger workload.
Practice Squad: Stephen Carlson
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Wide Receiver (5): DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Devin Duvernay
It’s easy to see what Johnson’s vision is for this group, isn’t it? Speed, speed, and more speed. Three of the five names on this projection are players added over the last two months. Zaccheaus was their best slot option until Burden III was selected at No. 39. No, he’ll slide a spot back, which should provide the Bears with one of the deepest depth charts they’ve ever seen at this position. Odunze is due for a sophomore breakout, but Moore should still be the primary target that gets this group going. Assuming he’s still got “it”, Duvernay should be a welcomed special teams addition with his ability in the return game.
Practice Squad: Myles Boykin and J.P. Richardson
Offensive Line (10): Braxton Jones, Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson, Darnell Wright, Ryan Bates, Kiran Amegadjie, Ozzy Trapilo, Lance Newman, Bill Murray
For the first time in years, the Bears project to have an above-average offensive line. More importantly, they’ve got developmental depth and should be able to withstand some attrition. For now, I’m projecting Jones as the starting left tackle. Still, his recovery from a broken leg will significantly affect how many opportunities Amegadjie and/or Trapilo receive in the coming months. I’m not convinced they’ll keep 10 players, but it might be smart considering how big of a role injuries have played in recent years. If not, Murray is likely to be the odd man out.
Practice Squad: Ricky Stromberg, Theo Benedet, & Jordan McFadden
Defensive End (5): Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker, Daniel Hardy, and Dominique Robinson
Of any spot on the roster, this is the area where the Bears could focus one last free agent push. Despite giving a sizable contract to Odeyingbo in March, the depth behind the starting two is scarce. Booker would now be the first line of defense if an injury occurred. The good news: Plenty of quality veterans are still sitting on the market, and they could fill this need. Those names include Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Matthew Judon, and Shaq Barrett. This previews what this group could look like without a move.
Practice Squad: Xavier Carlton
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Defensive Tackle (5): Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr., Andrew Billings, Shemar Turner, Jonathan Ford
It’s been a while since the Bears have had this deep group on their defense’s interior. During this offseason alone, they’ve added Jarrett on a big free agent deal and Turner in the second round. In my estimation, this group is still missing another quality run-stuffer behind Billings, but Ford is a bigger body that could help fill that void if needed. Despite giving restricted free agent Chris Williams a $3.26 million tender in early March, the deal has no guaranteed money, and he’ll likely be a cap casualty without a considerable pay cut. Don’t be surprised to see them add another nose tackle before Week 1.
Practice Squad: Zacch Pickens
Linebacker (5): Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Noah Sewell, Amen Ogbongbemiga, and Ruben Hyppolite
Despite not tendering Jack Sanborn as a restricted free agent and letting him walk in free agency, the Bears have done little to add another linebacker. Hyppolite was a fourth-round pick, but most draft analysts had him as an undrafted free agent. On paper, this looks like a group who could use another steady name, but so far, the team’s actions have said otherwise. Swayze Bozeman could be in line for a bigger role after spending his rookie season in Kansas City. For now, he’s projected to land on the practice squad.
Practice Squad: Swayze Bozeman
Cornerback (6): Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Terell Smith, Josh Blackwell, and Zah Frazier
The team’s strongest positional group somehow became even stronger this offseason. Chicago locked up Gordon on a three-year extension and added Frazier in the fifth round of last month’s draft. Barring something unexpected, this looks like a group set in stone, especially with their two-year investment of backup nickel and core special-teamer, Blackwell.
Practice Squad: Nahshon Wright and Nick McCloud
Safety (4): Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, Jonathan Owens, and Elijah Hicks
On the surface, this group is set for 2025, especially with no significant changes to the depth chart. If 2025 is the only focus, then sure. If not, there’s still some work to do in 2026 and beyond. None of the names projected on this depth chart are under contract beyond this season. For now, we’ll wait and see.
Practice Squad: Tarvarius Moore and Alex Cook
Special Teams (3): K Cairo Santos, P Tory Taylor, and LS Scott Daly
Barring a change at kicker or long snapper (the latter being more likely), this group is set for another year. The Bears opted to move on from veteran long snapper Patrick Scales in favor of Daly, who is five years younger. Santos should receive some competition throughout camp, but it’ll take a convincing performance to unseat Santos, who has been one of the more accurate kickers in the league over the last handful of seasons.