The Bears have something to offer their rookie quarterback that veteran quarterbacks haven’t been able to enjoy in Chicago.
A legit roster.
Since acquiring wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers, the talk about the Bears locally and nationally has been about the opportunity that general manager Ryan Poles has set up for a young quarterback.
Bryce Young didn’t get that in Carolina. Justin Fields certainly didn’t get it in Chicago.
But Caleb Williams, if he’s the guy, will get to work with the best Bears roster since at least 2018, and Poles isn’t done yet.
With the first wave of free agency in the books, and the draft five weeks away, here’s our updated look at the Bears’ depth chart.
Quarterback
Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien
Jahns: We should just enter: Caleb Williams. Until stated otherwise, Williams will be QB1 for the Bears. He won’t have to sit behind a veteran either. Williams will play and start on Day 1. And the Bears are ready for him. He’ll join a starting lineup that features receivers Allen and DJ Moore, tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett, running backs D’Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert and an offensive line with right tackle Darnell Wright.
Fishbain: I’m already bored from all the talk about QB1, so let’s talk about QB2. After his performance last year as an undrafted rookie, I’d like to think Bagent is the backup, but Rypien has been in the league for four seasons and has four starts. He also spent a month with Shane Waldron in Seattle last year and knows this scheme from his time with the Rams, too. The Bears should have a veteran in the QB room with the rookie and second-year pro, so I’d expect them to keep three this season.
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Running back
D’Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, Khari Blasingame (fullback)
Fishbain: What stands out about this group is how well the three backs complement each other. Swift will be the No. 1. He’s coming off 1,000 yards rushing and has breakaway speed. Herbert has been a do-it-all back for three seasons and can carry the workload, too. Then there’s Johnson, who proved himself as a reliable third-down back as a rookie. This position is probably set, with Homer and Blasingame providing special teams value, though I do wonder how Waldron views the fullback spot.
Jahns: When considering what’s ahead for the backfield in 2024, something that Allen said last week felt important: “Having a running back that can come out of the backfield and make plays and beat one-on-ones, that’s kind of big.” That’s what Swift provides. He made 195 catches for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns over his first four seasons. It’ll be interesting to see if Johnson pushes Herbert for snaps this season. We can’t forget the Bears’ glowing praise of Johnson after his draft selection last year.
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Wide receiver
DJ Moore, Velus Jones
Keenan Allen, Dante Pettis
Tyler Scott, Collin Johnson
Jahns: Similar to last year, all it takes is one name – one exceptional player – to change the makeup and then the outlook for this group. Last year, Moore’s addition provided Justin Fields with a true No. 1 receiver. This year, Allen’s arrival immensely improves the situation for Williams. Together, Moore and Allen give the Bears one of the best receiver duos in the NFL. We don’t get to write that often in Chicago. But with two shrewd moves, Poles has made receiver one of the Bears’ best position groups.
Fishbain: And I don’t think Poles is done yet. If Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers is there at No. 9, why not? Imagine this offense with either of those rookies at wideout. Or he could look to add another wideout in Round 3. I’m not closing the door on Tyler Scott. His vertical speed could work well with Allen and Moore, but we didn’t see nearly enough from him as a rookie to guarantee him that spot.
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Tight end
Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett
Fishbain: Here’s another position that is set, for all intents and purposes. Everett is a massive upgrade at the No. 2 tight end spot, and the Bears really haven’t had someone who can threaten defenses alongside Kmet. They could add a fourth-rounder here, but certainly some undrafted rookies for special teams and to be the No. 3. I also wouldn’t rule out a Marcedes Lewis reunion in the summer.
Jahns: Last year, Waldron relied on three tight ends with the Seahawks: Noah Fant (574 offensive snaps), Colby Parkinson (497 snaps) and Will Dissly (380). The Seahawks were third in the NFL with 94 snaps of 13 personnel (three tight ends). That’s nearly three times as much as the Bears used last season. It would seem to suggest that an addition or two is coming. But situations and plans do change. The Bears’ best option could be keeping Blasingame over an extra tight end.
Gerald Everett makes it a one-possession game 🙌
📺: #BALvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/4A9GOmQsZC pic.twitter.com/sju7H6CNcJ— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2023
Offensive line
LT: Braxton Jones, Matt Pryor
LG: Teven Jenkins
C: Ryan Bates/Coleman Shelton, Doug Kramer
RG: Nate Davis, Ja’Tyre Carter
RT: Darnell Wright, Larry Borom, Jake Curhan
Jahns: With a considerable gap between the ninth and 75th picks, finding a center in the draft appeared to be too difficult. So Poles acted. He created competition at center by trading for Bates and then signing Shelton. The contracts tell you that Bates has the lead in the competition. He’s making $4 million to Shelton’s $3 million. But Bates’ ability to play guard is essential, especially with how much time Jenkins and Davis missed last season. The only question is whether Poles will spend the ninth pick on an offensive lineman. Another blue-chip addition would change the expectations for the entire group – and there will be some outstanding options to consider at No. 9.
Fishbain: What the Bears do at left tackle in the draft will be extremely telling. It doesn’t seem like Joe Alt will be there, but there’s a trio of offensive tackles all projected to be in the range at No. 9, and the Bears should have their choice … if they want to upgrade from Jones. They could also feel good about Jones, who is entering Year 3, and would rather keep adding to the interior. I still wouldn’t rule out a center addition at some point, because neither Bates nor Shelton is a long-term answer. As far as the depth goes, the additions of Pryor and Curhan will put Borom on the bubble as he enters Year 4.
Montez Sweat instantly made the Bears defense better last season. Will the Bears draft another pass rusher in April to pair with him? (Daniel Bartel / USA Today)
Defensive line
FROM: Montez Sweat, Dominique Robinson
3T: Gervon Dexter
NT: Andrew Billings, Zacch Pickens, Byron Cowart
DE: DeMarcus Walker, Jacob Martin
Fishbain: This is the only position group on defense that is still a high priority ahead of the draft, whether it’s a starting defensive end opposite Sweat or a starting three-technique. I feel better about Walker starting than Dexter, at least for 2024, which may bump defensive tackle up the list of needs, but the Bears — who did add a couple of rotational players via free agency — should look to add two more impact players here.
Jahns: It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Bears prioritized taking a pass rusher at No. 9 over other positions. It’s too glaring of a need for Eberflus’ defense. Three players are worth watching: Alabama edge Dallas Turner, Florida State defensive end Jared Verse and Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. All three players would upgrade the Bears’ pass rush. Ebeflus’ influence will be significant. He should make the final call on the selection if all three players are there at No. 9 and there isn’t an opportunity to trade back.
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Linebacker
WLB: T.J. Edwards, Noah Sewell
MLB: Tremaine Edmunds
SLB: Jack Sanborn, Amen Ogbongbemiga
Jahns: This is a solid group that can occasionally make spectacular plays. With improvements up front, it’s also a unit that has the potential to improve production-wise. Edwards doesn’t get enough credit for the outstanding season he had last year. Edwards had more tackles for loss, QB hits, sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries than Roquan Smith did last season for the Baltimore Ravens.
Fishbain: This position is deep with two starters who have Pro Bowl potential and then three players who can step in if needed while also providing value on special teams. I’m interested to see what Sewell looks like this spring and summer after several injuries during his rookie season. At the start of ’23, Edmunds wasn’t making the impact plays the Bears hoped for, then they came in a flurry down the stretch. Linebacker and corner are the team’s best position groups.
Cornerback
Jaylon Johnson, Jaylon Jones
Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith
Kyler Gordon, Josh Blackwell
Fishbain: This group is deep and talented. The No. 4 corner, Smith, proved himself a capable starter last season, and Blackwell and Jones are valuable on special teams. You can never have enough corners, and there may be an undrafted rookie or two who join this group, but it’s pretty much set. I’m curious to see the Year 2 jump from Stevenson and if Gordon can be a Pro Bowler.
Jahns: Eberflus said at the NFL combine that he always wants more pass rushers and cornerbacks. But it might be best to wait until 2025 to make another draft selection at cornerback. The Bears have invested plenty in the position, from drafting Gordon and Stevenson in the second round in consecutive years to re-signing Johnson to a lucrative extension. In an ideal world for the Bears, all three are vying for Eberflus’ ballhawk award and postseason honors in 2024.
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Safety
Kevin Byard, Jonathan Owens
Jaquan Brisker, Elijah Hicks, Tarvarius Moore
Jahns: The Bears’ first move in free agency was replacing Eddie Jackson with Kevin Byard. It’s an upgrade, one that shouldn’t be overlooked when projecting what’s next for the Bears defense. Byard is more durable and a better tackler than Jackson. He’s also three years removed from his last All-Pro season in 2021. Byard made five interceptions that season, including one pick-six. Jackson had none that year.
Fishbain: The addition of Owens, while notable for his Olympic champion wife, also meant the Bears have a new No. 3 ahead of Hicks. Owens has plenty of starting experience the past two seasons and figures to be an important part of Richard Hightower’s special teams group. Moore, who didn’t play last season, was with Hightower in San Francisco earlier in his career.
You know what’s going on, @KevinByard! pic.twitter.com/8qgHQsCpsZ
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 21, 2023
Special teams
K: Cairo Santos
P: Trenton Gill
LS: Patrick Scales
PR: Dante Pettis
KR: Velus Jones Jr.
Fishbain: In a perfect world, the Bears would feel good about Jones being the punt returner, but his preseason struggles last summer forced Poles to acquire Trent Taylor. Can Tyler Scott specialize in the return game, especially if the Bears add a No. 3 receiver in the draft? I’m not sold on Pettis starting the season on the 53, but we know how important it is to have reliability in those return roles. I do look forward to a potential punter battle as well.
Jahns: This might be the most intriguing the Bears’ special teams have been since Matt Nagy’s kicking competition of 2019. How about a real competition at kick returner? And then another at punter? Neither Jones nor Gill should feel comfortable heading into training camp. They need serious competition. At least, that should be the goal for Poles. He has some work to do to make that happen.
(Top photo of Keenan Allen: Kirby Lee / USA Today)
2024-03-20 14:08:16
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