The Chicago Bears’ 90-man roster appears to be set heading into virtual organized team activities — although it can certainly change at any moment.
While there are a number of starting jobs already locked up, there will be some battles at some key positions, including quarterback, cornerback, right guard, safety and even kicker in training camp and preseason.
Naturally, these competitions can’t start until the Bears are able to hit the practice field — the “when” of which is uncertain — but, as things stand right now, we have a good idea of how things currently stand.
Here’s our look at the Bears unofficial depth chart after the 2020 NFL Draft.
Quarterback
- Starter: Mitchell Trubisky
- Back-up: Nick Foles
- Reserve: Tyler Bray
While the previous two seasons provided a consistent quarterback depth chart, changes could be on the horizon at starting quarterback. Incumbent starter Mitchell Trubisky will have to battle former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles for the starting job, a competition that will last into preseason. The one quarterback position that is a lock is Tyler Bray as QB3, where he’ll serve on the practice squad.
Running Back
- Starters: David Montgomery, Tarik Cohen
- Back-up: Ryan Nall
- Reserves: Artavis Pierce, Napoleon Maxwell
The running back position appears all but set at this point — in regards to the top two backs. David Montgomery enters his second year as the clear-cut starter. Tarik Cohen isn’t a between-the-tackles back, and his role will be utilized differently in Matt Nagy’s offense. For now, preseason darling Ryan Nall has that third running back spot locked up, although he’ll have to fend off two undrafted free agents in Artavis Pierce and Napoleon Maxwell.
Wide Receiver
- Starters: Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, Ted Ginn Jr.
- Back-ups: Cordarrelle Patterson, Riley Ridley, Darnell Mooney
- Reserves: Javon Wims, Trevor Davis, Thomas Ives, Ahmad Wagner, Reggie Davis, Alex Wesley
The receivers room will look quite familiar heading into offseason workouts, but there are also some new faces in the mix. The Bears added some speed this offseason with the additions of Ted Ginn Jr., fifth-round pick Darnell Mooney and Trevor Davis. But the core remains the same with No. 1 wideout Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller and Cordarrelle Patterson, as well as the returns of Riley Ridley and Javon Wims. There will be some competition at receiver, where someone like Wims could find himself on the outside looking in.
Tight End
- Starters: Jimmy Graham, Cole Kmet
- Back-ups: Ben Braunecker, Demetrius Harris
- Reserves: Adam Shaheen, J.P. Holtz, Jesper Horsted, Eric Saubert, Darion Clark
As everyone and their mother is aware, the Bears have a crowded tight end room with nine players currently on the roster. Although, the tight end depth chart appears set even as early as offseason workouts. The Bears brought in three new faces that will occupy one of those four roster spots, including Jimmy Graham, second-round pick Cole Kmet and Demetrius Harris. Graham and Kmet will occupy the move and in-line tight end roles, respectively, while Adam Shaheen will likely find himself out of a job by the time Chicago narrows down its 53-man roster.
Offensive Tackle
- Starters: Charles Leno Jr., Bobby Massie
- Back-up: Jason Spriggs
- Reserves: Rashaad Coward, Badara Traore, Dino Boyd
There isn’t much that’s changed at the offensive tackle position for the Bears this offseason, as Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie remain the starting left and right tackles, respectively. The Bears re-signed Rashaad Coward, who started 11 games at right guard last season, and also brought in Jason Spriggs to serve as depth.
Offensive Guard
- Starters: James Daniels, Germain Ifedi
- Back-up: Alex Bars
- Reserve: Arlington Hambright, Corey Levin, Dieter Eiselen, Lachavious Simmons
There will be a change at offensive guard for the Bears in 2020. While James Daniels returns as the starting left guard, Chicago has a vacant right guard spot to fill following Kyle Long’s retirement. The Bears brought in former first-round pick Germain Ifedi, who will likely win the starting right guard job over Alex Bars. Chicago added some depth pieces this offseason, including the additions of seventh-rounders Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons.
Center
- Starter: Cody Whitehair
- Back-up: Sam Mustipher
While James Daniels started the 2019 season at center, the Bears eventually moved him back to left guard and brought Cody Whitehair back to center midway through the season to provide some stability. Whitehair will stay put at center heading into 2020, and second-year offensive lineman Sam Mustipher will serve as depth.
Defensive End
- Starters: Akiem Hicks, Bilal Nichols
- Back-ups: Roy Robertson-Harris, Brent Urban
- Reserves: Abdullah Anderson, Trevon McSwain, Lacale London
Nothing is changing when it comes to the Bears defensive ends, which is exactly what Chicago needs for this dominant defense. The Bears return some key veterans on the defensive line in Akiem Hicks, Bilal Nichols and Roy Robertson-Harris, who anchor arguably the deepest positional group on the roster. They also have some key reserves in Brent Urban and Abdullah Anderson, along with Trevon McSwain and Lacale London.
Nose Tackle
- Starter: Eddie Goldman
- Back-up: John Jenkins
- Reserve: Lee Autry
Eddie Goldman remains one of the most underrated defensive players in the NFL — and on the Bears — and he returns as starting nose tackle in 2020. While Nick Williams left in free agency, the Bears brought back John Jenkins, who was with the team in 2017.
Outside Linebacker
- Starters: Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn
- Back-ups: Barkevious Mingo, Trevis Gipson
- Reserves: Isaiah Irving, James Vaughters, Ledarius Mack
The Bears upgraded their pass rush this offseason with the addition of former All-Pro Robert Quinn, who had 11.5 sacks with the Cowboys last season. He’ll partner with one of the best in Khalil Mack, and the pair figures to be a force getting after the quarterback — something former Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd struggled with. Chicago also brought in some key reserves with the additions of Barkevious Mingo and fifth-round pick Trevis Gipson. They also brought in Khalil’s younger brother Ledarius Mack, who will try to earn a roster spot.
Inside Linebacker
- Starters: Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith
- Back-up: Joel Iyiegbuniwe
- Reserves: Josh Woods, Rashad Smith, Keandre Jones
The Bears return both starting inside linebackers in Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith, which will be significant for this defense. The concern isn’t the starters, it’s the reserves. Chicago lost Nick Kwiatkoski and Kevin Pierre-Louis in free agency, both of which played key roles when Trevathan and Smith went down with injuries. As far as depth goes, the Bears return Joel Iyiegbuniwe and Josh Woods, as well as added undrafted free agents Rashad Smith and Keandre Jones.
Cornerback
- Starters: Kyle Fuller, Jaylon Johnson, Buster Skrine
- Back-ups: Artie Burns, Kevin Toliver
- Reserves: Sherrick McManis, Tre Roberson, Stephen Denmark, Xavier Crawford, Michael Joseph, Duke Shelley, Kindle Vildor
Bears Pro Bowl cornerback Kyle Fuller will have a new partner opposite him in 2020, following the release of Prince Amukamara. The front-runner to win the job is second-round pick Jaylon Johnson, who many had pegged as a top-three cornerback prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft. Buster Skrine also returns in the nickel, as well as Kevin Toliver and special teams ace and depth piece Sherrick McManis. Chicago added some depth with the additions of Artie Burns, Tre Roberson and fifth-rounder Kindle Vildor.
Safety
- Starters: Eddie Jackson, Tashaun Gipson
- Back-ups: Deon Bush, DeAndre Houston-Carson
- Reserves: Jordan Lucas, Kentrell Brice
The Bears upgraded at the safety position this offseason following the departure of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in free agency. Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson will have a new running mate, presumably veteran Tashaun Gipson, who would occupy the strong safety position and allow Jackson to return to free safety, where he’s been a dominant force. The Bears return key depth pieces in Deon Bush and DeAndre Houston-Carson, as well as added Jordan Lucas and Kentrell Brice.
Special Teams
- Kickers: Eddy Pineiro, Ramiz Ahmed
- Punter: Pat O’Donnell
- Long Snapper: Patrick Scales
The Bears special teams unit figures to look identical to last season. While there will be a kicker competition, this time Eddy Pineiro appears to be the clear-cut favorite to keep his job against rookie Ramiz Ahmed. Punter Pat O’Donnell and long snapper Patrick Scales return in their respective positions.
