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Bears’ updated roster as offseason program gets underway

Alyssa Barbieri
·4 min read

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of their offseason program, which begins Monday. New head coach Matt Eberflus will formally meet his team for the first time, and where players will meet Eberflus and their new position coaches.

General manager Ryan Poles mades some moves during free agency, but the work is far from done. There are still some roster holes that need to be filled heading into the NFL draft.

With the slew of moves made during free agency — from signings to cuts to trades — the roster looks different. Here’s a look at where the Bears roster stands as they kick off their offseason program.

Quarterback (4)

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There’s no disputing that Fields is QB1 heading into the 2022 season, where he’ll have an entire offseason to prepare as the starter. Chicago signed Siemian to serve as Fields’ backup, which puts Foles’ future in doubt. The Bears are looking to trade Foles, who has a $10.67 cap hit in 2022.

Running back (4)

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Following Tarik Cohen’s release, the Bears’ running backs room is set with Montgomery and Herbert. Montgomery is entering the final year of his rookie deal and Herbert was impressive in his rookie year. Chicago also recently added Evans and Blasingame, who will serve as fullback, to the depth chart.

Wide receiver (6)

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

The Bears have started reassembling their wide receiver room through the first wave of free agency with the additions of Pringle and St. Brown. They join Mooney as the three likely roster locks currently under contract. Chicago will likely look to the NFL draft to add a young, playmaking wideout to serve as the WR2 and give Fields another weapon.

Tight end (2)

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Tight end is one of the more solid position groups on offense heading into free agency with Kmet locked down. But they do need more bodies in the room. The Bears also tendered Horsted to a one-year deal.

Offensive line (10)

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The Bears haven’t made a splash move on the offensive line, but they did take a first step in overhauling the offensive line with the addition of Patrick, who will play center. They also added a depth piece in Dozier. Whitehair, Jenkins and Borom are the other presumed starters, where the expectation is Chicago will target a tackle in the NFL draft.

Interior defensive line (6)

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The interior of the defensive line saw some shake-up last week with the expected signing of Larry Ogunjobi. Unfortunately, Ogunjobi didn’t pass his physical, so the team didn’t sign him. Instead, Chicago pivoted to Jones, who figures to serve as the team’s three-technique in Matt Eberflus’ defense.

Edge (8)

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Even after trading Khalil Mack to the Chargers, the Bears are in a good position at defensive end heading into the offseason with Quinn and Gipson. They added Muhammad to provide another solid option off the edge along with some developmental players like Snowden and Kamara.

Linebacker (4)

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Linebacker remains a need for the Bears, as they only have four currently on the roster. Chicago did appear to find a potential starter in Morrow, who had a career year with the Raiders in 2020 before missing last season due to injury. With Smith and potentially Morrow in place as starters, the Bears still have work to do.

Cornerback (7)

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  • Jaylon Johnson

  • Thomas Graham Jr.

  • Kindle Vildor

  • Duke Shelley

  • Lamar Jackson

  • Michael Joseph

  • Bopete Keyes

As was the case last offseason, the Bears have a need at cornerback, and that remains after free agency. Johnson is the only guaranteed starter heading into the 2022 season, and Chicago will need to find his running mate on the outside. Whether that’s someone like Graham, a veteran in free agency or a rookie in the NFL draft remains to be seen.

Safety (3)

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  • Eddie Jackson

  • DeAndre Houston-Carson

  • Dane Cruikshank

Safety remains a need after free agency as Jackson, Houston-Carson and Cruikshank are the only safeties currently under contract. The Bears could address it in the NFL draft, where they could look to bring in an experienced veteran or rookie to start alongside Jackson.

Specialists (3)

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  • K Cairo Santos

  • LS Patrick Scales

  • P Ryan Winslow

For the first time in awhile, the Bears’ special teams will look a little different. While Santos remains and Scales was re-signed, Pat O’Donnell signed with the Packers. That leaves Winslow as the only current punter on the roster.

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