The clock is ticking.
Two weeks from Tuesday, teams will cut their entire 90-man roster — or 91 in the Bears’ case, because they have an international player — down to 53. It’s a new way of doing things in the NFL, which in recent years mandated three cut days, and then two.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus likes the idea of having all 90 players on hand for the third preseason game, though he’s not guaranteed to use all his starters. That’s a problem for next week, though. After their first preseason game — and on the eve of two joint practices against the Colts in Indianapolis — here’s how the Bears’ final roster is shaping up:
OFFENSE (25 keepers out of 46 players)
Quarterbacks (2/4)
They’re keeping: Justin Fields, P.J. Walker
On the bubble: Nathan Peterman, Tyson Bagent
What we’ve learned: Not enough about Fields, at least on the backfields during training camp. Even as his coaches and teammates praise his growth, Fields has been up and down in practice. He’s been tested in a way he never was last year, though.
The big question: Beside the big one — Is Fields the guy? — the most intriguing question to come out of the quarterback room is whether the Bears will keep four quarterbacks. New NFL rules mean Peterman could serve as the Bears’ emergency quarterback so long as he’s on the 53-man roster. Bagent, who’s looked capable, would be a good practice squad choice.
Running backs (5/7)
They’re keeping: Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, FB Khari Blasingame
On the bubble: Trestan Ebner, FB Robert Burns
What we’ve learned: The Bears figure to split carries among three running backs, but they’re treating Herbert like the nominal starter. Foreman didn’t touch the ball until almost five minutes into the second quarter Saturday.
The big question: It looks like Johnson can handle the physicality of the NFL — his 12 carries Saturday were the second-most of any running back in the league who’s played only one game this preseason — but the Bears need to find out whether he can pass-block.
Wide receivers (6/11)
They’re keeping: DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Equanimeous St. Brown, Tyler Scott, Velus Jones
On the bubble: Dante Pettis, Joe Reed, Daurice Fountain, Isaiah Ford, Nsimba Webster
What we’ve learned: Moore is as advertised. Even before he turned a screen pass into a 62-yard touchdown the first time he touched the ball Saturday, Moore had looked like the best player on the roster.
The big question: What’s Claypool’s deal? His constant yapping during practice annoyed the Bears defense for the first two weeks of practice, but at least he was out there after missing spring practices with injuries. Then Claypool hurt his hamstring Wednesday, and hasn’t practiced since. The best version of Claypool will add juice to a steady receiver room. The worst version could hurt the team.
Tight ends (3/6)
They’re keeping: Cole Kmet, Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis
On the bubble: Stephen Carlson, Jared Pinkney, Lachlan Pitts
What we’ve learned: The Bears view Kmet as an important part of their future, giving him a four-year, $50 million contract extension while he participated in the first day of training camp practices.
The big question: How can Lewis help the Bears — beside being a strong locker room presence? Lewis is entering his 18th season, which would be the most a tight end has ever played. The Bears expect him to be a solid blocker, but he’s in unprecedented territory.
Offensive line (9/18)
They’re keeping: LT Braxton Jones, LG Teven Jenkins, C Cody Whitehair, RG Nate Davis, RT Darnell Wright, G Ja’Tyre Carter, C/G Lucas Patrick, T Larry Borom, G Alex Leatherwood
On the bubble: Logan Stenberg, Aviante Collins, Kellen Diesch, Dieter Eiselen, Robert Haskins, Gabriel Huoy, Doug Kramer, Josh Lugg, Roy Mbaeteka
What we’ve learned: Wright reported to camp in great shape — he accidentally practiced conditioning drills for wide receivers — and has yet to miss a practice. He looks comfortable at right tackle.
The big question: Can the interior line stay healthy? Davis hasn’t participated in every drill of a padded practice yet. Jenkins has a bad back that he needs to monitor daily. Patrick hasn’t practiced getting hurt during Family Fest. The Bears need more depth at swing tackle than inside, but they might go hunting for both.
Defense (25/42)
Defensive line (10/15)
They’re keeping: Yannick Ngakoue, Andrew Billings, Justin Jones, DeMarcus Walker, Dominique Robinson, Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, Rasheem Green, Terrell Lewis, Trevis Gipson
On the bubble: Travis Bell, Jalen Harris, Andrew Brown, D’Anthony Jones, Bravvion Roy
What we’ve learned: That the Bears were just as concerned about edge rusher as their fans were. They were smart to pay a bit extra to limit their commitment to one year. Walker’s injury — he hasn’t practiced in August — has further exposed the Bears’ lack of depth at the spot.
The big question: Could Gipson get cut? Two years removed from finishing second on the Bears in sacks, Gipson was listed as a third-stringer on the first depth chart. Recording a sack against the Titans was a good argument to stick around.
Linebacker (5/10)
They’re keeping: Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, Dylan Cole
On the bubble: DeMarquis Gates, Buddy Johnson, Micah Baskerville, Barrington Wade, Mykal Walker
What we’ve learned: Not enough about Edmunds, who was limited in team drills Aug. 2 and hasn’t practiced since. He’s the centerpiece of a Bears defense that was the worst in the league last year — and in the first year of a four-year, $72 million contract.
The big question: Is Sewell a starter? He’s played with the starters dating to the spring because of Sanborn’s injury. Sanborn sliding over to middle linebacker with Edmunds hurt has kept Sewell in on the strong side.
Cornerback (6/10)
They’re keeping: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Josh Blackwell, Terell Smith, Jaylon Jones
On the bubble: Kindle Vildor, Bralen Trahan, Michael Ojemudia, Greg Stroman
What we’ve learned: Stevenson isn’t scared. The Bears’ second-round pick has looked like he belonged both in practices and Saturday’s game. When Smith got hurt, he was getting more starter’s snaps than Stevenson; it’s hard to see that happening anytime soon.
The big question: Will Johnson get paid? He’s got a new agent and has been wise enough not to negotiate in public, but it’s clear that getting something done before Week 1 would be preferable to both him and the Bears.
Safety (4/7)
They’re keeping: Eddie Jackson, Jaquan Brisker, Elijah Hicks, Kendall Williamson
On the bubble: Adrian Colbert, A.J. Thomas, Macon Clark
What we’ve learned: Jackson’s left foot is just fine. Having a Lisfranc injury is a scary, in some cases career-threatening, diagnosis. Jackson managed to avoid surgery after getting hurt in November and looks like himself in practice. The Bears have been giving him extra time off, which befits his veteran status and injury history.
The big question: Who’s the fourth safety? There’s no question that Jackson, Brisker and Hicks are locked into their positions; Williamson, a rookie from Stanford, will have to fend off Colbert, Thomas and whoever the Bears could land on the waiver wire.
SPECIALISTS (3/3)
They’re keeping: K Cairo Santos, P Trenton Gill, LS Patrick Scales
What we’ve learned: The Bears never doubted Santos. The kicker they brought in as competition, Lake Forest native and Syracuse alum Andre Szmyt, was cut last week before we could kick in a game.
The big question: Can Jones catch punts? He fumbled two of them in five tries last year and muffed one of his two attempts on Saturday. If the receiver can’t secure the ball, there might not be a place for him on the team.
