A few of our guys are running through a pre-training camp roundtable addressing some topics about the Bears.
With the Chicago Bears away from Halas Hall until training camp opens sometime in July, we wanted to run through a few topics that have been weighing on our minds in a roundtable series.
I asked our team to answer this question: Which Bears position group is the strongest?
And here’s what we had to say.
TJ Starman: I think the WRs are going to get a lot of love here, and it’s well-deserved. However, I’m actually going to go over to the other side of the ball and say the DBs. Jaylon Johnson is the best player on the team (or 2nd best if you prefer Joe Thuney), and he’s joined by an ascending Kyler Gordon. Tyrique Stevenson seems ready to put last year behind him and embrace Dennis Allen’s defensive scheme, and Kevin Byard and the safety group are really solid despite Jaquan Brisker’s health concerns.
Ryan Droste: I believe that the WR room has the highest potential, but I think the OL is the strongest as of right now. We know what DJ Moore is, and we all expect big things from both Rome Odunze and Luther Burden. But that’s still potential that needs to play itself out. We know that Darnell Wright and Joe Thuney are extremely high-level players right now, with Thuney one of the best in the league at his position. Drew Dalman graded out as a top-five Center last season. Jonah Jackson has been in the Pro Bowl. Braxton Jones is the weakest of the starting group, and he’s been servicable. Yes, the depth on the bench isn’t great, but I love the potential in Ozzy Trapilo as a future starter.
Jeff Berckes: It’s very cool to me that you could make an offensive line argument here, but the answer is pass catchers. Rome Odunze in year 2, DJ Moore still in his prime, with the energy of Luther Burden III in the slot – grab your popcorn. Add in Colston Loveland as a matchup nightmare for the mad scientist Ben Johnson to deploy, and it’s overflowing with potential.
Johnathan Wood: I have to go with JB here and say pass catchers. I think the OL has the strongest overall starters, but the depth is highly questionable, especially on the interior. The pass catchers have a great combination of proven talent and quality depth. Between DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, Olamide Zacchaeus, Cole Kmet, and Colston Loveland, not to mention D’Andre Swift as an excellent pass-catching back, the Bears should never have a problem putting quality pass catchers on the field.
Gary Baugher Jr.: As a guy who played WR for most of my time in the organized portion of the sport, it’s very hard for me not to say WR, but I’m going OL. Adding to the two top 20 Tackles (per PFF) in 2024 that were already in-house, we now have PFF’s 2nd-best Guard and 3x All-Pro Joe Thuney, plus PFF’s 5th-best Center in Drew Dalman. Throw in Jonah Jackson, who played at his peak with Ben Johnson and the Lions, and 2nd round draft pick Ozzy Trapilo, and this unit is legit.
Dr. Mason West: I think it has to be the secondary. One of your best players is Jaylon Johnson, Kevin Byard is a solid professional football player, and I fully expect Brisker to come back with a vengeance this year. The biggest question mark may be Tyrique Stevenson, but I think the expectations and guidance of Johnson/Allen/Harris will do wonders for him. He is a talented CB, and many fans forget that. There is also solid depth with Terell Smith, Josh Blackwell, and Johnathan Owens. I am intrigued by Zah Frazier. He is a late-round pick but has the measurables and speed to compete. His backstory also explains why he had a later production and why he was at a smaller school.
Bryan Orenchuk: This one is too obvious. Wide Receiver. When guys like Tyler Scott, Olamide Zaccheaus, and former 3rd rounder Devin Duverney are vying for a roster spot, you have a pretty strong group. Led by DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden III, this young and explosive unit should feast.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: The fact that I even have to consider the offensive line makes me smile, but like a couple of my colleagues, I’ll group wideout and tight end together and go pass catchers. I still expect Ben Johnson to run the ball — so much of what he does has been built around the running game — but he also knows how to scheme his guys open.
Now it’s your turn. Which Bears position group do you think is the strongest?