Last year, it was the kicker competition between Eddy Pineiro and Elliott Fry that was the biggest discussion at training camp. Which was a good thing considering that there weren’t many questions outside of kicker.
But this season that’s completely changed. Well, not completely. There will be a kicker competition for the second straight training camp — albeit one that won’t be as front and center. But one of the themes for this season for general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy is the focus on competition at multiple positions. And there’s a lot of competition at several positions on the roster this season.
Let’s take a look at the seven position battles that will be happening in Bears training camp.
1. Quarterback
The most important position battle will take place at the most important position in all of sports, which isn’t exactly a comforting thought. Following Mitchell Trubisky’s struggles last season, Pace went out and brought in experienced veteran Nick Foles to not only push Trubisky but possibly replace him as the starter.
While many had Foles pegged as the clear favorite for most of this offseason, the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have quieted those beliefs if only because of the limited sample size that Nagy will have to choose his starter from. Trubisky has an advantage as far as familiarity with his teammates, especially as he’s been working with both returning and new skill position players during the offseason. The Bears will have to get creative during camp in a decision that could make or break this season.
2. Cornerback
Chicago is looking to fill two starting jobs in the secondary, including at cornerback following the release of veteran Prince Amukamara, who was a cap casualty. Cornerback has been one of the most anticipated position battles this offseason, and the Bears are looking to find two-time Pro-Bowler Kyle Fuller’s running-mate in a shortened time frame than they would’ve had otherwise.
While CFL star Tre Roberson is no longer in the mix — he suffered a broken foot training for the upcoming season — second-round rookie Jaylon Johnson will be looking to win the starting job over veterans Kevin Toliver and Artie Burns. Johnson is an instinctive and athletic corner that could no doubt make an impact in his rookie year, although the absence of the offseason and preseason could hurt him.
3. Safety
The other starting job in the secondary up for grabs is at safety. Following Ha Ha Clinton-Dix’s free-agent departure, the Bears are looking for his replacement opposite two-time Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson. Jackson, who spent last season at strong safety, is moving back to his natural free safety position this year. Now, the Bears are looking for a starting strong safety to pair with one of the NFL’s best free safeties.
Ultimately, it’s Tashaun Gipson, who Chicago signed to a one-year deal in free agency, that figures to be the favorite to win the job. But before Gipson was brought to Chicago, it was Deon Bush, who signed a one-year extension, that was the presumptive starter.
4. Right guard
The Bears will be returning most of their starters on their offensive line from a season ago, which for continuity sake is reassuring. Although the line’s performance in 2019 was far from it. But following the departure of Kyle Long, the Bears have a vacant right guard spot up for grabs.
Chicago went out and signed former first-round offensive lineman Germain Ifedi, who was a four-year starter with the Seattle Seahawks. Ifedi played mostly tackle with Seattle, but he does have experience at guard, which the Bears are banking on. While Ifedi is the favorite to be the right guard when the regular season gets underway, he’ll face some competition from Rashaad Coward and Alex Bars.
5. Running back
While there’s a lot of hype surrounding David Montgomery entering his second season, there’s more question regarding depth behind Montgomery and Tarik Cohen entering the 2020 season. The Bears don’t have a proven veteran on the roster behind those guys that can serve as Montgomery’s backup.
If the Bears don’t make a move in free agency, it’ll ultimately come down to Ryan Nall and undrafted rookie Artavis Pierce to compete for that third running back spot. Nall has been Chicago’s preseason darling of years past, and he’s the favorite to win the job of Montgomery’s backup. But Pierce, who was recently activated off the COVID-19 reserve list, certainly has the skillset to challenge Nall for that spot.
6. Wide receiver
The Bears have a crowded receivers room filled with a ton of talent, which starts at the top with Allen Robinson. Robinson is coming off a 1,000 yard season and entering a contract year, and he’s going to be the top target of whichever quarterback is under center. Third-year wideout Anthony Miller is a breakout candidate this season. While Miller got off to a slow start last season, there were moments where he showed that he’s capable of being a downfield threat in the passing game. There’s a lot of talent in that room, but they’re not going to be able to keep everyone on the 53-man roster.
Ultimately it’s Javon Wims who might find himself on the outside looking in given the loaded receivers room. Last season, Wims appeared in all 16 games, where he 18 receptions for 186 yards and his first career touchdown. He certainly showed promise, but this is ultimately a numbers game in terms of the six roster spots up for grabs. With Robinson, Miller, Cordarrelle Patterson and Ted Ginn Jr. virtual locks for a roster spot, that leaves two roster spots for Wims, Riley Ridley, Darnell Mooney and Trevor Davis to compete for.
7. Kicker
For the second straight year, the Bears will have a competition at kicker. Although it won’t quite the circus it was at this time last year when Eddy Pineiro beat out Elliott Fry for the starting job. Pineiro had a solid rookie outing, where he connected on 23-of-28 field goals (82.1%) and 27-of-29 extra points. But he also had a rough stretch where he went 3-of-7 on field goals in the middle of the season.
Still, the Bears felt the need to bring in competition for Pineiro with Ramiz Ahmed, who last kicked for Nevada, where he connected on 15 of 20 field goals (75%). This might be a competition in name, but this is easily Pineiro’s job to lose.
