The Bears are hoping to make a leap under new head coach Ben Johnson, and the roster will have plenty of new faces in 2025.
Quarterback (3)
Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum
Having a veteran voice in the room for Caleb Williams is something that should have happened during his rookie season, but Johnson is correcting that wrong by adding Case Keenum. Perhaps there is a possibility Tyson Bagent is traded to clear the deck behind last year’s No. 1 overall pick.
Running back (4)
D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai (R), Travis Homer
Nick Chubb is the name we would watch, as he’d be the perfect early-down option alongside D’Andre Swift for a Chicago squad that wants to run the ball more. If not, the team will be counting on Roschon Johnson to emerge or seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai to earn a role. Travis Homer should be on the roster again for his special teams value.
Wide receiver (6)
DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III (R), Tyler Scott, Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay
Caleb Williams and Keenan Allen had a strong connection last season, but the Bears now have a young trio to grow with the quarterback—drafting Luther Burden III to pair with DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. We’ll see if former fourth-round pick Tyler Scott can be unlocked as a situational deep threat, while Olamide Zaccheaus brings a veteran presence and Devin Duvneray should be the primary returner.
Tight end (3)
Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland (R), Durham Smythe
Tight end already appears settled with No. 10 overall pick Colston Loveland creating a terrific duo with Cole Kmet, and Durham Smythe—who saw quite a bit of playing time in Miami over the past several years—was also brought in this offseason as a very good blocker behind them.
Offensive tackle (4)
Braxton Jones, Darnell Wright, Ozzy Trapilo (R), Kiran Amegadjie
The Bears spent a third-round pick on Kiran Amegadjie last year as a hopeful candidate to be the long-term left tackle, but he’s considered a developmental piece—so the team selected Ozzy Trapilo in Round 2 last month, and the rookie likely has a better shot of unseating Braxton Jones on the blindside.
Interior offensive line (6)
Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson, Ryan Bates, Luke Newman (R), Ricky Stromberg
The offensive line hasn’t been a strength under general manager Ryan Poles, but the franchise spent big resources to remake the interior with Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson as the starting trio. Ryan Bates and rookie Luke Newman are safe bets to make the roster as depth, and we’re going with Ricky Stromberg over Doug Kramer Jr. for the final spot as the backup center.
Defensive tackle (5)
Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr., Shemar Turner (R), Andrew Billings, Zacch Pickens
The only question here is whether second-round pick Shemar Turner will be classified as a defensive tackle or defensive end. We thought he’d fit better on the edge after beginning his career there at Texas A&M, and the Bears have at least discussed his inside-outside versatility; but defensive coordinator Dennis Allen says the first opportunity will be on the interior.
Defensive end (5)
Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker, Dominique Robinson, Daniel Hardy
Chicago’s preference for bigger edge defenders has remained with a new coaching staff coming in, and Dayo Odeyingbo was signed to start across from Montez Sweat. The only other roster lock is Austin Booker, but Dominique Robinson has upside that has been developed over the past three years and might be unlocked under Dennis Allen, and Daniel Hardy played 85% of the snaps on special teams in 2024.
Linebacker (5)
Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Ruben Hyppolite II (R), Amen Ogbongbemiga, Noah Sewell
Amen Ogbongbemiga is also a core special teamer, but the linebacker room might be more up in the air with Ruben Hyppolite II drafted in the fourth round. If an extra defensive lineman or defensive back isn’t kept, Noah Sewell—the brother of Penei Sewell, who Ben Johnson knows well—should be able to make the team.
Cornerback (5)
Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Zah Frazier (R), Terell Smith
Nahshon Wright, Shaun Wade, Nick McCloud, and Josh Blackwell are among the other options competing for a spot at cornerback, but the starters are set, Zah Frazier should be safe as a fifth-round rookie, and Terell Smith showed flashes last season. That said, the battle shouldn’t go overlooked with Chicago not really having any proven options behind Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson.
Safety (4)
Kevin Byard III, Jaquan Brisker, Jonathan Owens, Elijah Hicks
Maybe the board got away from them like it did at running back, but the Bears not drafting a safety in a class with solid depth suggests they are happy with Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks behind returning starters Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker. Tarvarius Moore could be kept as a fifth safety as well.
Special teams (3)
Cairo Santos, Tory Taylor, Scott Daly
Last year’s fourth-round pick Tory Taylor is the only option not facing competition this summer, as kicker Cairo Santos will need to hold off undrafted rookie Jonathan Kim, and long snapper Scott Daly might get pushed out by Luke Elkin—but the odds feel in favor of the incumbents.