Bears roster comparison: Where Ryan Poles made improvements in 2023
Bears general manager Ryan Poles has overhauled the roster this offseason, which includes the additions of potential impact veterans and rookies.
The Bears addressed needs in free agency with the signings of linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, guard Nate Davis, defensive tackle Andrew Billings, defensive end DeMarcus Walker, tight end Robert Tonyan and running back D’Onta Foreman.
Poles also filled some big holes with his 2023 NFL draft class, including offensive tackle Darnell Wright, defensive tackles Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. He also added some potential steals with running back Roschon Johnson, wide receiver Tyler Scott and cornerback Terell Smith.
But how does this 2023 roster compare to the 2022 group?
With that in mind, we’re going position by position to evaluate the roster at the end of the 2022 season to where it is at this point of the 2023 offseason:
*denotes rookie
Quarterback
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2022 season
2023 season
Justin Fields | PJ Walker | Nathan Peterman |
Verdict: Upgrade
The Bears made improvements at backup quarterback replacing Trevor Siemian with PJ Walker, a quarterback who has a similar skillset to Justin Fields.
Running back
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
2022 season
Darrynton Evans |
2023 season
Khalil Herbert | D’Onta Foreman | Roschon Johnson* |
Trestan Ebner | Khari Blasingame |
Verdict: Upgrade
Chicago lost David Montgomery to free agency, but they added some solid options in D’Onta Foreman, rookie Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer to pair with Khalil Herbert.
Wide receiver
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
2022 season
Byron Pringle | ||
N’Keal Harry |
2023 season
Chase Claypool | Darnell Mooney | |
Tyler Scott* | Equanimeous St. Brown | Velus Jones Jr. |
Dante Pettis |
Verdict: Upgrade
The Bears might just have the best receiving corp they’ve had in years with DJ Moore, Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney. They also added Tyler Scott in the NFL draft.
Tight end
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2022 season
Ryan Griffin | ||
2023 season
Cole Kmet | Robert Tonyan | |
Jake Tonges | Chase Allen |
Verdict: Upgrade
Cole Kmet is coming off a breakout year, and Chicago upgraded at backup tight end with Robert Tonyan, who will be a solid receiving option for Fields.
Offensive line
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
2022 season
Michael Schofield |
2023 season
Braxton Jones | Teven Jenkins | Cody Whitehair |
Nate Davis | Darnell Wright* | Lucas Patrick |
Larry Borom | Alex Leatherwood | Ja’Tyre Carter |
Verdict: Upgrade
Chicago made some big improvements to the offensive line with the additions of Nate Davis and rookie Darnell Wright, where protecting Fields is of utmost importance.
Edge rusher
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
2022 season
Al-Quadin Muhammad | ||
Taco Charlton | Gerri Green |
2023 season
DeMarcus Walker | Trevis Gipson | |
Dominique Robinson | Jalyn Holmes |
Verdict: Slight upgrade
The Bears still lack a star at edge rusher, but they definitely upgraded with the free-agent additions of DeMarcus Walker and Rasheem Green to pair with Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson.
Defensive line
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
2022 season
Justin Jones | Mike Pennel | |
Angelo Blackson |
2023 season
Justin Jones | Andrew Billings | Gervon Dexter* |
Zacch Pickens* | Travis Bell* | Andrew Brown |
Verdict: Upgrade
Chicago upgraded the defensive interior in a big way with the additions of Andrew Billings and rookies Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens to pair with Justin Jones.
Linebacker
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
2022 season
Matt Adams | ||
Joe Thomas |
2023 season
Tremaine Edmunds | T.J. Edwards | Jack Sanborn |
Dylan Cole |
Verdict: Upgrade
Linebacker has now become the strength of this Bears roster with the free-agent additions of Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell and Dylan Cole will battle for the SAM spot.
Cornerback
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
2022 season
Kindle Vildor | ||
Jaylon Jones* | Greg Stroman |
2023 season
Jaylon Johnson | Kyler Gordon | Tyrique Stevenson* |
Kindle Vildor | Terell Smith* | Jaylon Jones |
Verdict: Upgrade
Chicago improved at cornerback behind Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon with rookie Tyrique Stevenson, who’s an upgrade over Kindle Vildor. The Bears also added rookie Terell Smith in the draft.
Safety
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
2022 season
Eddie Jackson | DeAndre Houston-Carson | |
Dane Cruikshank |
2023 season
Eddie Jackson | Jaquan Brisker | Elijah Hicks |
Adrian Colbert |
Verdict: Downgrade
While Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker return as starters, the loss of DeAndre Houston-Carson looms large. The Bears added rookie Kendall Williamson in the seventh round of the draft.
Specialists
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
2022 season
Patrick Scales |
2023 season
Cairo Santos | Trenton Gill | Patrick Scales |
Verdict: Upgrade
Chicago has two potential starters at kicker on the roster in Cairo Santos and undrafted rookie Andre Szmyt, which will make for an interesting camp battle this summer.
Final Verdict
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback | Upgrade |
Running back | Upgrade |
Wide receiver | Upgrade |
Tight end | Upgrade |
Offensive line | Upgrade |
Edge rusher | Upgrade |
Defensive line | Upgrade |
Linebacker | Upgrade |
Cornerback | Upgrade |
Safety | Downgrade |
Specialists | Upgrade |
When looking at the roster from the conclusion of the 2022 season to where it is ahead of veteran minicamp in 2023, there’s no denying that Poles continues to make significant improvements to the roster. There was only one position where he essentially didn’t make an upgrade, which was at safety. Luckily, it was already a strong position group with starters Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker. Elsewhere, Poles made improvements across the board that ranged from minor (running back) to significant (linebacker). We’ll see whether that translates to success during the 2023 season.
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