The Chicago Bears updated their 53-man roster, which featured some difficult cuts and some surprises to the roster.
After finalizing their initial roster, the Bears claimed six players off of waivers, including offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood and nose tackle Armon Watts. They also added wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette. But with those roster additions, that meant parting ways with six players who made the initial cut. That included receivers N’Keal Harry and Tajae Sharpe landing on injured reserve.
We’re breaking down the Bears’ updated 53-man roster following cuts and waiver claims.
Quarterback (2)
Kept
- Justin Fields
- Trevor Siemian
Cut
- Nathan Peterman
Added
- None
There weren’t any surprises at the quarterback position as both Fields and Siemian made the 53-man roster. Fields is entering a pivotal Year 2, where he’s looking to take a step forward in his development. Siemian has been his backup from the start. After being released, Peterman re-signed to the practice squad.
Running back (3)
Kept
- David Montgomery
- Khalil Herbert
- Trestan Ebner
Cut
- Darrynton Evans
- De’Montre Tuggle
Added
- None
No surprises at running back where Montgomery and Herbert are the top two backs in Chicago. For awhile, it came down to a battle between the rookie Ebner and Evans. But Ebner pulled away with a strong preseason, and he was an easy decision for the 53-man roster. With the Bears carrying three running backs, Evans was the odd man out. But Chicago re-signed Evans to the practice squad, so he’ll be available, if needed.
Fullback (2)
Kept
- Khari Blasingame
- Jake Tonges
Cut
- None
Added
- None
Need a hint as to what this Bears offense will look like in 2022? Look at the fact that they’re carrying two fullbacks. There was never any doubt that Blasingame would make the roster as Chicago employs a fullback for the first time since 2018. But the Bears opted to carry a second fullback in Tonges, who can also play tight end.
Wide receiver (6)
Kept
- Darnell Mooney
- Byron Pringle
- Velus Jones Jr.
- Equanimeous St. Brown
- Dante Pettis
Cut
- Isaiah Coulter
- Nsimba Webster
- Chris Finke
- Kevin Shaa
Added
- Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Mooney, Pringle, Jones and St. Brown were all expected to make the roster. Pettis earned himself a roster spot with his performance on offense and special teams. They also added Smith-Marsette off waivers. N’Keal Harry and Isaiah Coulter were placed on IR after making the initial 53-man roster.
Tight end (3)
Kept
- Cole Kmet
- Ryan Griffin
Cut
- James O’Shaughnessy
- Chase Allen
Added
- Trevon Wesco
The Bears initially kept two tight ends on the roster, which indicated that they could be targeting another via the waiver wire. And that’s exactly what they did in claiming Wesco, who had multiple claims. He’ll join Kmet and Griffin on the roster after James O’Shaughnessy was released with a non-football illness designation.
Offensive line (9)
Kept
- Braxton Jones
- Cody Whitehair
- Lucas Patrick
- Teven Jenkins
- Larry Borom
- Riley Reiff
- Sam Mustipher
- Ja’Tyre Carter
Cut
- Michael Schofield
- Shon Coleman
- Lachavious Simmons
- Dieter Eiselen
- Corey Dublin
- Jean Delance
Added
- Alex Leatherwood
The offensive line went as expected with a projected starting combination of Jones, Whitehair, Patrick, Jenkins and Borom. The biggest shock was Schofield being cut. But the Bears answered by claiming former first-round pick Leatherwood off of waivers, and he’s under contract for at least the next three years.
Defensive tackle (4)
Kept
- Justin Jones
- Angelo Blackson
- Mike Pennel Jr.
Cut
- Khyiris Tonga
- Mario Edwards Jr.
- Trevon Coley
- Micah Dew-Treadway
Added
- Armon Watts
Jones was the lone true roster lock along the interior, and Blackson and Pennel got the other spots. Tonga, Coley and Edwards were the shocking cuts for Chicago, although Coley was re-signed to the practice squad. The Bears did get better along the interior with the huge addition of Watts, who was a surprise cut by the Vikings and should be a playmaker for Chicago in this 4-3 defense.
Defensive end (5)
Kept
- Robert Quinn
- Trevis Gipson
- Al-Quadin Muhammad
- Dominique Robinson
Cut
- Sam Kamara
- Charles Snowden
Added
- Kingsley Jonathan
The Bears initially kept four defensive ends in Quinn, Gipson, Muhammad and Robinson, who were all expected to make the roster. All four of them were locks, and it was just a matter of how many defensive ends they’d carry. They parted ways with Kamara, who was signed to the practice squad, and Snowden. But they claimed Jonathan off of waivers, who had multiple claims on him.
Linebacker (5)
Kept
- Roquan Smith
- Nicholas Morrow
- Matt Adams
- Jack Sanborn
Cut
- Joe Thomas
- Caleb Johnson
- DeMarquis Gates
Added
- Sterling Weatherford
Smith and Morrow were the lone locks at linebacker, although Adams was close behind given his understanding in this scheme and his ability to play all three linebacker spots. Sanborn, who shined in the preseason, made the 53-man roster and figures to be a huge contributor on special teams. Johnson and Thomas made the original cut, but they were waived to clear room for new players claimed off waivers. That includes Weatherford, who also had multiple claims on him.
Cornerback (6)
Kept
- Jaylon Johnson
- Kyler Gordon
- Kindle Vildor
- Lamar Jackson
- Jaylon Jones
Cut
- Thomas Graham Jr.
- Duke Shelley
- Greg Stroman Jr.
- Davontae Harris
- Tavon Young (IR)
Added
- Josh Blackwell
There were several surprises on the roster at cornerback. While Johnson, Gordon and even Vildor felt like locks to make it, there were some shocking cuts and players who made it through. Graham, Shelley and Stroman were the biggest surprise cuts with Jackson and Jones making the cut. Graham was re-signed to the practice squad and Blackwell claimed off waivers. Young was placed on injured reserve, ending his season with Chicago.
Safety (5)
Kept
- Eddie Jackson
- Jaquan Brisker
- DeAndre Houston-Carson
- Dane Cruikshank
- Elijah Hicks
Cut
- A.J. Thomas
- Jon Alexander
Added
- None
Unlike cornerback, safety felt more clear heading into final roster cuts. Jackson, Brisker and Houston-Carson have been locks from the start. But Cruikshank and Hicks both made the cut with help from their contributions on special teams. Thomas and Alexander were both waived, and Thomas was re-signed to the practice squad.
Special teams (3)
Kept
- K Cairo Santos
- P Trenton Gill
- LS Patrick Scales
Cut
- None
Added
- None
There aren’t any surprises at special teams, which has been set for awhile. Santos returns for his third straight year as Chicago’s starting kicker with Scales entering his eighth year at long snapper. Gill has flashed as a rookie in the preseason, and it looks to be a smooth transition from Pat O’Donnell to Gill.
