The Chicago Bears wrapped their preseason with a 27-24 win over the Tennessee Titans, and they now have until Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT to trim their roster from 80 to 53 players.
When you look at this current roster, there are some potential surprises that deserve to earn a roster spot, including wide receiver Rodney Adams and tight end Jesper Horsted.
Following the final preseason game, here are our projections for the Bears’ 53-man roster:
Note: Mario Edwards is suspended for the first two games of the season, so he doesn’t count toward the 53-man roster. Teven Jenkins is sidelined indefinitely, but he needs to start the year on the roster to be eligible to return in 2021. Tarik Cohen will also likely start the year on IR. Those moves are noted in the 56 players on this list.
Quarterback
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
- Andy Dalton
- Justin Fields
- Nick Foles
No surprises here at quarterback.
Running back
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
- David Montgomery
- Tarik Cohen
- Damien Williams
- Khalil Herbert
- Ryan Nall*
The top four running backs seem like locks, and there was competition for that fifth spot between Nall and Artavis Pierce. But Nall should get the nod given his contributions on special teams.
*gets roster spot if Cohen starts season on IR.
Wide receiver
AP Photo/John Amis
- Allen Robinson
- Darnell Mooney
- Marquise Goodwin
- Damiere Byrd
- Dazz Newsome
- Rodney Adams
The top four spots are sure bets at this point, which leaves two spots up for grabs. Rodney Adams has more than earned a roster spot with an impressive preseason and Dazz Newsome figures to get the other spot.
Tight end
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
- Cole Kmet
- Jimmy Graham
- Jesse James
- Jesper Horsted
No surprises with Kmet, Graham and James locking up the top three spots. Horsted is coming off an impressive three-touchdown performance against the Titans, which should be enough to earn that final roster spot.
Offensive line
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
- Jason Peters
- Cody Whitehair
- Sam Mustipher
- James Daniels
- Germain Ifedi
- Elijah Wilkinson
- Larry Borom
- Alex Bars
- Lachavious Simmons*
- Teven Jenkins
There’s a lot of uncertainty on the offensive line right now. But the Bears appear to have their starting five in line with Peters, Whitehair, Mustipher, Daniels and Ifedi. Jenkins needs to start the season on the 53-man roster to be eligible to return in 2021.
*gets roster spot when Jenkins placed on IR
Defensive line
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
- Akiem Hicks
- Eddie Goldman
- Bilal Nichols
- Mario Edwards*
- Angelo Blackson
- Khyiris Tonga
The Bears have their defensive line group set with Hicks, Goldman and Nichols leading the way, and key rotational pieces in Edwards, Blackson and Tonga.
*suspended first two games
Inside linebacker
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
- Roquan Smith
- Danny Trevathan
- Alec Ogletree
- Christian Jones
The Bears might just have their best depth at inside linebacker in quite awhile, which has a lot to do with the late addition of veteran Ogletree, who could push Trevathan for playing time.
Outside linebacker
Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
- Khalil Mack
- Robert Quinn
- Jeremiah Attaochu
- Trevis Gipson
Chicago’s pass rush is looking for a bounce back year, and they might just have the group to get to the quarterback. With Mack and Quinn leading the way, the Bears have solid depth in Attaochu and Gipson, who should both be big contributors this season.
Cornerback
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
- Jaylon Johnson
- Kindle Vildor
- Artie Burns
- Duke Shelley
- Desmond Trufant
- Thomas Graham Jr.
The Bears still have concerns at cornerback, including who will start outside opposite Johnson and in the slot, but their roster looks pretty set.
Safety
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
- Eddie Jackson
- Tashaun Gipson
- Deon Bush
- DeAndre Houston-Carson
- Marqui Christian*
No real surprises here with their top four safeties, but Marqui Christian has made a strong push for a roster spot.
*gets roster spot with Edwards suspension
Special teams
Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
- Kicker: Cairo Santos
- Punter: Pat O’Donnell
- Long snapper: Patrick Scales
No question who will lock down those special teams roster spots.
