Camp approaches, which means it’s time for me to grade the roster. Like I’ve done the last few years, I’ll grade on a 1-10 scale, with 1 being the worst in the NFL, 10 being the best, and 5 being an average NFL unit. Let’s get right down to it.
Quarterback: 3
Key players: Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent
Others: Austin Reed, Brett Rypien
Caleb Williams was the #1 pick in the draft and was widely viewed as one of the top QB prospects of the last 15 years, but rookie QBs usually struggle, so that should be the expectation until he proves otherwise. Tyson Bagent was a great story last year, earning the backup QB job as an undrafted rookie and going 2-2 in 4 starts, but he did not play well, averaging only 6.0 yards/attempt and throwing 6 INT to only 3 TD to post a 71.4 passer rating. He should be viewed as one of the worse backups in the NFL until proving otherwise. Rypien is a career practice squad guy, while Austin Reed was undrafted this year. They should compete for one practice squad spot as the emergency QB3. This grade has the potential to be much higher next year, as career projections for Williams should be quite optimistic, but there will likely be some bumps in the road in 2024.
Running Back: 6
Key players: D’Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson
Others: Travis Homer, Ian Wheeler, Khari Blasingame (FB)
The Bears paid D’Andre Swift to be their clear-starter, and he has the ability to impact both the rush and pass game with 2700 rushing and 1400 receiving yards in his 4-year career. However, he is nothing special as a runner, as his best season last year still had quite unimpressive underlying metrics. Khalil Herbert is a really good runner who struggles mightily in the passing game, while Roschon Johnson was viewed as a quality all-around running back coming out of college before a mid-season concussion put a damper on his rookie season last year. Looking farther down the roster, Travis Homer and Ian Wheeler will compete for a roster spot based on special teams, and fullback Khari Blasingame will try to earn a roster spot even though new OC Shane Waldron never used a fullback in Seattle. Overall the group lacks a true superstar, but has good depth and should be fairly well-rounded overall.
Wide Receiver: 9
Key players: DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Tyler Scott
Others: Velus Jones Jr., Collin Johnson, John Jackson, DeAndre Carter, Peter LeBlanc, Dante Pettis, Freddie Swain, Nsimba Webster
What a change two years makes! In 2022, I gave this group a 2, as Velus Jones Jr. and Byron Pringle were slated to be starters. Just two years later, the Bears have an argument for the best trio of starting WRs in the NFL, and they complement each other really well too. DJ Moore is an explosive big play threat who feasts deep and against man coverage, while Keenan Allen is a sure-handed possession receiver who works underneath and eats up zone. Rome Odunze’s college profile puts him closer to Moore than Allen, and while he still has to prove it in the NFL, there is a strong track record of WRs drafted similarly to him hitting the ground running in their rookie season. The starting trio is great, but depth is a serious concern. Scott was a 4th round pick in 2023, but had an awful rookie season that does not place him in good historical company. Velus Jones Jr., two years removed from being a 3rd round pick, has done nothing on offense so far in his career, and will look to make the roster based on special teams. Everybody else hasn’t really done much in the NFL and is fighting for an end of roster spot. If 1-2 of the starters get hurt, this position could be an issue, but it looks really strong when everybody is healthy.
Tight End: 8
Key players: Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, Marcedes Lewis
Others: Stephen Carlson, Brendan Bates, Tommy Sweeney
Cole Kmet has solidified himself as one of the 10-12 best TEs in the NFL, a well-rounded player who can block and catch passes effectively. He’s probably a 7 by himself, but quality depth bumps the grade up to an 8. Gerald Everett comes in free agency as a solid starting option himself, but he doesn’t block much and his underlying metrics last year give concern that he might be on the decline. Marcedes Lewis is an incredible blocker who won’t offer much of anything as a pass-catcher, but that matches what Shane Waldron likes in his 3rd TE. The other three should likely fight for a spot on the practice squad. The combination of Kmet as a high-level, versatile starter and two quality backups with vastly different skill sets gives the Bears a very good tight end room overall.
Offensive Tackle: 6
Key players: Darnell Wright, Braxton Jones, Matt Pryor, Kiran Amegadjie
Others: Larry Borom, Jake Curhan, Aviante Collins, Theo Benedet
Darnell Wright, the #10 pick of the 2023 draft, battled through a shoulder injury to have a solid rookie season overall. He seems poised to make a big jump in 2024, and would really help take this group – and the offensive line as a whole – to another level if that actually happens. Braxton Jones backup up a surprisingly successful rookie campaign with another solid season as a sophomore, and he seems locked in as an average starting LT who might still have the ability to reach another level. Overall, this looks like a starting duo with a floor of average, but the ceiling to be much better. The depth is also vastly improved, as Chicago signed veteran Matt Pryor – who has over 1900 career snaps at OT – in free agency and spent a 3rd round pick on Kiran Amegadjie. Larry Borom, last years’ swing tackle, will be in a fierce battle to make the roster.
Interior Offensive Line: 5
Key players: Teven Jenkins, Nate Davis, Coleman Shelton, Ryan Bates
Others: Ja’Tyre Carter, Jerome Carvin, Doug Kramer Jr., Bill Murray
Teven Jenkins looks like a Pro Bowl-caliber guard – when he can stay healthy. He’s missed 20 of his 51 possible career games due to injury. On the other side, Nate Davis had an awful year in 2023 but was a solid starter for years before that, and this grade assumes he’ll bounce back and at least be average. Center sees two new faces, as Coleman Shelton and Ryan Bates compete. Neither are particularly inspiring, mostly falling into the low-end starter/high-end backup range. This is a solid but unspectacular top 4, though the guard duo has the potential to be one of the better ones in the NFL if things break right for both of them.
Offense: 6
That averages to a 6.2, so we’ll round to a 6. The big question mark is really quarterback, where rookie Caleb Williams’ adjustment to the NFL will be closely monitored. The Bears have done a fantastic job surrounding him with talent, as there are no clear holes and several clear strengths on the offense. If Williams adjusts quickly, this could be a top 10 offense in the NFL, but even with some rookie struggles they should be average or better.