The Chicago Bears are preparing for their final preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, where a handful of players will be competing for starting jobs or roster spots.
With the final round of roster cuts looming next Tuesday, this is the last chance for many roster bubble players to make an impression and push for a roster spot.
While the Bears haven’t released an updated depth chart ahead of the preseason finale, we’re taking a crack at projecting what that depth chart looks like heading into Saturday’s game.
Quarterback
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string |
| QB | Justin Fields | Trevor Siemian | Nathan Peterman |
Unlike last summer, there’s really no questions or drama with the quarterbacks. There’s no debating that Justin Fields is QB1 heading into this season, and Trevor Siemian will serve as his backup. Nathan Peterman won’t be on the roster come Week 1, but he’ll likely be on the practice squad.
Running back
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string | Other |
| RB | David Montgomery | Khalil Herbert | Trestan Ebner | Darrynton Evans, De’Montre Tuggle |
| FB | Khari Blasingame | Jake Tonges |
Running back is the strength of this Bears offense. David Montgomery returns as the lead back with rising star Khalil Herbert set to see an expanded role in Luke Getsy’s offense. Trestan Ebner has locked down that third spot ahead of Darrynton Evans. Khari Blasingame is the top fullback with Jake Tonges backing him up.
Wide receiver
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string | Other |
| WR | Darnell Mooney | Velus Jones Jr. | N’Keal Harry* | Dante Pettis, Nsimba Webster, Kevin Shaa |
| WR | Equanimeous St. Brown | Byron Pringle | Tajae Sharpe | Isaiah Coulter, Chris Finke |
*Harry projected to land on injured reserve to start regular season
It’s safe to say that the receiver room is wide open behind Darnell Mooney. Mooney is the top option, and there are certainly some jobs up for grabs. Fields has shown connections with newcomers Byron Pringle, Velus Jones Jr., Equanimeous St. Brown, N’Keal Harry and Tajae Sharpe.
Tight end
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string | Other |
| TE | Cole Kmet | Ryan Griffin | James O’Shaughnessy | Chase Allen |
There aren’t a lot of questions at the tight end position, where Cole Kmet is the top guy heading into the season. He continues to build his connection with Fields, and he’s been his top target behind Mooney. Veterans Ryan Griffin and James O’Shaughnessy are the top options behind Kmet.
Offensive line
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string | Other |
| LT | Braxton Jones | Shon Coleman | ||
| LG | Cody Whitehair | Ja’Tyre Carter | Zachary Thomas | Lachavious Simmons |
| C | Lucas Patrick | Sam Mustipher | Corey Dublin | |
| RG | Teven Jenkins | Michael Schofield | Dieter Eiselen | |
| RT | Larry Borom | Riley Reiff | Jean Delance |
The offensive line has undergone plenty of changes this summer. But right now, it appears that this is the current starting combination: LT Braxton Jones, LG Cody Whitehair, C Lucas Patrick, RG Teven Jenkins and RT Larry Borom. While Sam Mustipher has been starting at center, that’ll change when Patrick returns.
Defensive line
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string | Other |
| DE | Robert Quinn | Al-Quadin Muhammad | Dominique Robinson | Sam Kamara |
| DT | Justin Jones | Khyiris Tonga | Mike Pennel | |
| DT | Angelo Blackson | Trevon Coley | Micah Dew-Treadway | |
| DE | Trevis Gipson | Mario Edwards | Charles Snowden |
The defensive line doesn’t come as too much of a surprise with Robert Quinn, Trevis Gipson and Al Quadin-Muhammad leading the way at defensive end. No surprise with Justin Jones at the 3-technique position, and Angelo Blackson has a slight lead at the nose tackle spot.
Linebacker
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string |
| LB | Roquan Smith | Matt Adams | |
| LB | Nicholas Morrow | Jack Sanborn | DeMarquis Gates |
| LB | Joe Thomas | Caleb Johnson |
Roquan Smith and Nicholas Morrow are locks at weak-side and middle linebacker, but the strong side is coming down to Matt Adams and Joe Thomas. Thomas got the first look at SAM with Adams filling in for Smith during his absence. Although, Adams can play any of the linebacker spots in this 4-3 scheme.
Cornerback
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string | Other |
| CB | Jaylon Johnson | Tavon Young | Duke Shelley | Thomas Graham Jr., Jaylon Jones |
| CB | Kyler Gordon | Kindle Vildor | Lamar Jackson | Greg Stroman Jr., |
Rookie Kyler Gordon appears to be the X-factor in the cornerback room. Gordon has been getting looks both outside and in the slot during the first seven practices. There have been different starting combinations depending on where Gordon is lining up. It starts with Jaylon Johnson and Gordon on the outside with Tavon Young at nickel, but it’s been Kindle Vildor getting a look on the outside with Johnson when Gordon is in the slot. There’s even been a grouping with Johnson and Gordon outside and Vildor at nickel cornerback.
Safety
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string | Other |
| S | Eddie Jackson | DeAndre Houston-Carson | Elijah Hicks | A.J. Thomas |
| S | Jaquan Brisker | Dane Cruikshank | Davontae Harris | Jon Alexander |
For all intents and purposes, the Bears are set at safety. Eddie Jackson will start at free safety with Jaquan Brisker manning strong safety. Brisker continues to make a strong impression in camp, where both he and Jackson have notched interceptions. DeAndre Houston-Carson, Dane Cruikshank and Elijah Hicks are the top reserves, and they’ll also serve as special teams contributors.
Special teams
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string | Other |
| K | Cairo Santos | |||
| P | Trenton Gill | |||
| LS | Patrick Scales | |||
| H | Trenton Gill | Trevor Siemian | ||
| KR | Khalil Herbert | Velus Jones Jr. | Trestan Ebner | |
| PR | Velus Jones Jr. | Dante Pettis | Nsimba Webster |
The Bears special teams will look different for the first time in a few years following the departure of Pat O’Donnell. Rookie Trenton Gill takes over the starting duties at punter while Cairo Santos and Patrick Scales are back at kicker and long snapper, respectively. Velus Jones Jr. has shown his potential at both kick returner and punt returner, and he could get looks at both.
