When the Chicago Bears kickoff training camp in less than two weeks, they’ll bring a roster of 90 players with them. By the end of camp and preseason, that roster will be trimmed to just 53 players and a group of practice squad players.
Whether that’s because of depth at the position or past performance.
Let’s take a look at five Bears players that are on the roster bubble heading into training camp.
WR Javon Wims
The Bears have a ton of talent at receiver, but they’re not going to be able to keep everyone on the 53-man roster. With the speedy weapons Chicago has added in Ted Ginn Jr. and rookie Darnell Mooney, former seventh-round pick Javon Wims could find himself the odd man out with just six roster spots up for grabs.
Last season, Wims appeared in all 16 games, where he 18 receptions for 186 yards and his first career touchdown. While he showed promise last year, there’s essentially just six roster spots for receivers. Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, Cordarrelle Patterson and Ted Ginn Jr. feels like virtual locks to make the roster, which leaves two roster spots for Wims, Riley Ridley and Darnell Mooney. Unfortunately, Wims could find himself on the outside looking in.
TE Adam Shaheen
No one is expecting Adam Shaheen to survive training camp or preseason as a member of the Bears’ 53-man roster. Chicago overhauled their tight ends room this offseason following a collective output that was among the worst in the NFL in 2019. The Bears added second-round rookie Cole Kmet and veterans Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris to provide a boost to the position that’s one of the most important in Matt Nagy’s offense.
Shaheen’s career has been plagued by injuries, which has ultimately limited his development, but the former second-round pick is running out of time in Chicago. The Bears brought in Shaheen’s replacement in both Kmet and Harris, who both occupy the “Y” tight end position, which all but signals the end of Shaheen’s career in Chicago.
TE Ben Braunecker
Everyone knows that the Bears have a collection of tight ends on their 90-man roster — nine to be exact — which means that more than half of those guys will be out a roster spot come the conclusion of training camp and preseason. Someone in danger of being one of those guys is Ben Braunecker, who is entering the final year of his two-year extension. Braunecker had some impressive moments last season before suffering a concussion, becoming the third tight end placed on injured reserve in 2019.
With the top three tight ends already set in Graham, Kmet and Harris, that essentially leaves just one roster spot up for grabs between six tight ends. While Braunecker certainly has a chance to lock up that last spot, he’ll need a strong camp to contend with Jesper Horsted and J.P . Holtz.
RB Ryan Nall
While the Bears feel confident in Ryan Nall’s chances to become David Montgomery’s backup, he’s not exactly a lock to make the roster. Nall has been Chicago’s preseason darling, rushing for 358 yards on 56 carries and catching 14 passes for 80 yards in 2019. Now, he has an opportunity to make the 53-man roster in a running back room that lacks depth.
But Nall’s biggest challenger figures to be undrafted rookie Artavis Pierce, who actually played behind Nall during his freshman and sophomore seasons at Oregon State. Now the two will battle for a chance to make the active roster. Pierce is a versatile back, thriving in the run game and pass game during his time at Oregon State. Which means Nall is going to have to impress at camp to hold off his teammate once again.
CB Stephen Denmark
With the release of Prince Amukamara this offseason, a starting cornerback job up for grabs opposite Kyle Fuller. Former seventh-round pick Stephen Denmark will have a chance to compete for that spot. Although with a loaded cornerbacks room, which features rookie Jaylon Johnson, Tre Roberson, Artie Burns, Kevin Toliver and Duke Shelley, the odds are certainly stacked against him.
When all is said and done, Denmark figures to land a spot on the practice squad, especially given the depth at cornerback currently on the roster.
