The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of organized team activities (OTAs), which kick offs off May 20. General manager Ryan Poles has continued to build the roster this offseason, adding some potential impact players on both offense and defense.
That started with the acquisitions of offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman in free agency, as well as defensive linemen Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo. That continued into the 2025 NFL draft, where Chicago added playmakers in tight end Colston Loveland and receiver Luther Burden III, as well as offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner.
Head coach Ben Johnson made it clear that players are going to have to earn their roster spots and starting jobs.
“We talked about it the moment the players got back in the building [April 7],” Johnson said back in April. “It was going to be a competitive environment. There is no depth chart right now. If you want to play, you’ve got to go earn it. If you want a role, you’ve got to go earn it. They know that. We were very straightforward and honest with them when they came in the building.”
While Johnson said there’s no current depth chart, allow us to attempt to project one as OTAs kick off:
Quarterback (4)
- Starter: Caleb Williams
- Backup: Tyson Bagent
- Other: Case Keenum, Austin Reed
There’s no surprise when it comes to quarterback where Caleb Williams, entering his first full offseason, is entrenched as the starter. The addition of Case Keenum brings an experienced veteran as a voice in the room, but Tyson Bagent has been the backup since his rookie season and retains that spot for now.
Running back (6)
- Starter: D’Andre Swift
- Backups: Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangi
- Other: Travis Homer, Ian Wheeler, Deion Hankins
It was certainly a surprise that the Bears waited until the seventh round to draft a running back in Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai, but it seems like Chicago certainly tried. GM Ryan Poles admitted that the board didn’t fall their way at times, which could allude to running back (Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson, Cam Skattebo perhaps). That’s good news for D’Andre Swift, who remains the lead back with Roschon Johnson and Monangai behind him. But it also wouldn’t be a surprise for the Bears to add a veteran in free agency. So this depth chart remains a work in progress.
Wide receiver (12)
- Starters: DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III
- Backups: Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay, Tyler Scott
- Other: Miles Boykin, Maurice Alexander, Samori Toure, John Jackson, JP Richardson, Jahdae Walker
Receiver wasn’t a top need for Chicago, but the board fell just right for a first-round prospect in Luther Burden III to fall right into their laps. Burden has drawn comparisons to Jameson Williams, who Ben Johnson coached in Detroit. DJ Moore and Rome Odunze are the clear-cut starters at receiver where they’ll continue to build their chemistry with Williams. But Burden will also factor into the mix as a featured weapon in the slot.
Tight end (6)
- Starters: Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland
- Backup: Durham Smythe
- Other: Stephen Carlson, Jordan Murray, Joel Wilson
The Bears landed a stud in Colston Loveland at 10th overall, and he’ll serve as the perfect complement to Cole Kmet. Loveland is an elite athlete, skilled route runner and natural catcher of the ball. Ben Johnson is known for his two tight-end sets, and a pairing of Kmet and Loveland will be deadly for opposing defenses.
Offensive line (16)
- Left tackle: Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo, Joshua Miles
- Left guard: Joe Thuney, Bill Murray, Jordan McFadden, Chris Glaser
- Center: Drew Dalman, Luke Newman, Doug Kramer, Ricky Stromberg
- Right guard: Jonah Jackson, Ryan Bates, Theo Benedet
- Right tackle: Darnell Wright, Kiran Amegadjie
The entire interior offensive line was overhauled this offseason with the acquisitions of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, via trade, and Drew Dalman, through free agency. Chicago did add a couple of an offensive linemen in tackle Ozzy Trapilo and guard Luke Newman. Trapilo has played both right and left tackle, so he could plug in anywhere. Right now, we’re starting him off as Braxton Jones’ backup at left tackle, but he could work into that starting role. While Kiran Amegadjie will contend for that left tackle job, we currently plug him in as Darnell Wright’s backup. Newman has guard/center versatility, so it’s all a matter of where the Bears project him to fit best. For now, he backs up Dalman at center.
Edge rusher (8)
- Starters: Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo
- Backups: Austin Booker, Daniel Hardy
- Other: Dominique Robinson, Jamree Kromah, Xavier Carlton, Jereme Robinson
The Bears need more out of their pass rush, even with Montez Sweat leading the way. They made a move in free agency to land a rising talent in Dayo Odeyingbo, but there’s still plenty of work to be done. Austin Booker showed flashes in his rookie season, but he needs to make strides as a rotational player. Chicago didn’t address edge rusher in the draft, so it’ll be interesting to see if they make another veteran addition (perhaps trading for Trey Hendrickson) or explore kicking interior defenders outside.
Defensive tackle (7)
- Starters: Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter
- Backups: Andrew Billings, Shemar Turner
- Other: Chris Williams, Zacch Pickens, Jonathan Ford
Chicago had a solid duo of Andrew Billings and Gervon Dexter last season, but things went downhill after Billings was lost for the season due to a torn pec as Dexter’s play suffered. The Bears added a dominant defender in Grady Jarrett, who is a force as an interior pass rusher, in free agency. But they also landed a potential stud in Shemar Turner, who brings a violent, aggressive attitude to the field. Expect to see plenty of these four.
Linebacker (8)
- Starters: T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds
- Reserves: Noah Sewell, Ruben Hyppolite II, Amen Ogbongbemiga
- Other: Swayze Bozeman, Carl Jones, Power Echols
There aren’t really big changes at linebacker with T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds once again set to lead the charge. But the Bears will have to deal with the loss of Jack Sanborn, who they opted not to tender as a restricted free agent. Chicago took a swing with the selection of Ruben Hyppolite II in the fourth round, who will contend with former fifth-round pick Noah Sewell and returning depth piece and special teams ace Amen Ogbongbemiga for depth positioning.
Cornerback (11)
- Starters: Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon (NCB)
- Reserves: Terell Smith, Zah Frazier, Josh Blackwell (NCB), Nick McCloud, Ameer Speed, Shaun Wade, Nahshon Wright, Jeremiah Walker
Cornerback is arguably the strongest position group on the roster. Jaylon Johnson, coming off his second Pro Bowl nod, will lead a group also featuring Kyler Gordon, who recently signed a contract extension, and Tyrique Stevenson, who has plenty to prove after a disastrous sophomore season. But the addition of Zah Frazier, who caught Al Harris’ eye during the pre-draft process, will provide competition for Stevenson.
Safety (8)
- Starters: Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker
- Reserves: Jonathan Owens, Elijah Hicks
- Other: Tarvarius Moore, Alex Cook, Major Burns, Tysheem Johnson
Chicago’s starting safety duo is set with Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, both entering the final year of their respective deals. Byard was one of the defense’s MVPs last season, while Brisker missed most of the year following a Week 5 concussion. Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks will continue to serve as key depth and special teams contributors.
Special teams (5)
- Kicker: Cairo Santos, Jonathan Kim
- Punter: Tory Taylor
- Long snapper: Scott Daly, Luke Elkin
The Bears are returning their starting special teams unit with kicker Cairo Santos, punter Tory Taylor and long snapper Scott Daly. Patrick Scales missed last season following back surgery, and Daly stepped up in his place and even earned a one-year contract extension this offseason.
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