The Chicago Bears are gearing up for veteran minicamp this week at Halas Hall, which will mark the conclusion to their offseason program.
Unlike voluntary organized team activities, minicamp is mandatory. The Bears had solid attendance during voluntary workouts, where cornerback Jaylon Johnson and guard Nate Davis were the only absences. Safety Eddie Jackson and wide receiver Darnell Mooney were rehabbing injuries from last season.
Following the conclusion of the offseason program, Chicago will break for the summer before returning for training camp in late July.
As minicamp gets underway, here’s a look at our updated 53-man roster projection for the Bears.
Quarterback (2)
- Justin Fields
- PJ Walker
Fields is entering a pivotal third season with the Bears, where the expectation is he takes a step forward in the passing game. The team signed Walker to serve as Fields’ backup this offseason.
Running back (5)
- Khalil Herbert
- D’Onta Foreman
- Roschon Johnson
- Travis Homer
- Khari Blasingame
The Bears overhauled the running back room after David Montgomery exited in free agency. They signed Foreman and Homer in free agency and drafted Johnson in the fourth round, and Johnson should challenge for reps with Herbert and Foreman. The team also re-signed fullback Blasingame to a two-year deal.
Wide receiver (6)
- DJ Moore
- Darnell Mooney
- Chase Claypool
- Tyler Scott
- Equanimeous St. Brown
- Velus Jones Jr.
The Bears upgraded their wide receiver group with the addition of Moore, who was part of the trade for the No. 1 pick with the Panthers. Now, Chicago’s top wideouts include Moore, Mooney and Claypool. In the fourth round of the draft, they selected Scott, a speedster who should be a vertical threat. Jones and St. Brown edge out Dante Pettis for the final two roster spots.
Tight end (3)
- Cole Kmet
- Robert Tonyan
- Stephen Carlson
Kmet is coming off a career year with the Bears, where he was a big part of the passing game. Chicago signed Tonyan to a one-year deal in free agency, where he’ll serve as a nice complement to Kmet. Tonyan is more of a receiver than a blocker, and he should factor into the red zone approach.
Offensive line (9)
- Braxton Jones
- Teven Jenkins
- Cody Whitehair
- Nate Davis
- Darnell Wright
- Lucas Patrick
- Larry Borom
- Alex Leatherwood
- Ja’Tyre Carter
The starting offensive line is all but set, where Jones and Wright will anchor the edge with Jenkins and Davis shoring up the interior alongside Whitehair at center.
Edge rusher (4)
- DeMarcus Walker
- Trevis Gipson
- Rasheem Green
- Dominique Robinson
The Bears still have some work to do at edge rusher, which could mean they carry five if they could turn to free agency (or trade) to add a veteran. The group is headlined by Walker, Gipson, Green and Robinson.
Interior defensive line (5)
- Justin Jones
- Andrew Billings
- Gervon Dexter
- Zacch Pickens
- Travis Bell
Chicago upgraded along the interior of the defensive line with the additions of Billings and rookies Dexter, Pickens and Bell. They’ll join returning veteran Jones.
Linebacker (5)
- Tremaine Edmunds
- T.J. Edwards
- Jack Sanborn
- Noah Sewell
- Dylan Cole
The Bears overhauled the linebacker position and free agency, and the team’s starting linebackers are set with Edwards and Edmunds. Sanborn, rookie Sewell and Cole will compete for the SAM role.
Cornerback (7)
- Jaylon Johnson
- Kyler Gordon
- Tyrique Stevenson
- Kindle Vildor
- Terell Smith
- Josh Blackwell
- Jaylon Jones
The Bears found a quality third cornerback in Stevenson, who they traded up for in the second round of the draft. He’ll join Johnson and Gordon in the defensive backfield. Smith, a fifth-round selection, should serve as key depth behind Johnson.
Safety (4)
- Eddie Jackson
- Jaquan Brisker
- Elijah Hicks
- Kendall Williamson
There’s no doubt that Jackson and Brisker will lead a strong safety group for Chicago. While DeAndre Houston-Carson remains unsigned, that could mean an increased role for Hicks in his second season. The Bears also drafted Williamson late in the seventh round, who could land that final spot.
Specialists (3)
- Cairo Santos
- Trenton Gill
- Patrick Scales
The Bears re-signed Scales to a one-year deal to keep their special teams trio in tact heading into 2023. Chicago has consistency with their core specialists in Santos, Gill and Scales, who are heading into their second year together. While rookie Andre Szmyt will bring competition at kicker, Santos gets the edge.
