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Bears 53-Man Roster Final Prediction: Who Earns the No. 3 Running Back Role?
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- Bears 53-Man Roster Final Prediction: Who Earns the No. 3 Running Back Role?
The Chicago Bears defeated the Tennessee Titans, 24-15, to close out the preseason.
With exhibition games over, the Bears' staff must determine who has done enough throughout training camp to make the team's 53-man roster. All 32 NFL teams must cut their rosters down to 53 players by Sunday at 5 p.m. CT.
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Here is my projected Bears' 53-man roster.
Quarterbacks: (3)
Caleb Williams , Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum
Status quo as usually with the Bears' quarterback room.
Running Backs: (3)
D'Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, Roschon Johnson
The final running back spot came down to the final preseason game, and Roschon Johnson maximized his opportunity because he actually played.
Salvon Ahmed didn't suit up against the Titans, which allowed Johnson to get a bulk of the carries. He finished with 15 carries for 52 yards and one touchdown. He also caught two passes for 11 yards, including a 7-yard pick on second down that gave the Bears a new set of downs. Johnson scored a touchdown two plays later.
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Also, Johnson had a nice blitz pick on Bagent's touchdown throw to Zavion Thomas. Johnson's ability to play special teams ultimately earns him the spot.
Wide Receivers: (6)
Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, Jahdae Walker, Zavion Thomas, Kaden Davis
This was one of the final spots in question, but Davis did enough throughout training camp and the preseason to earn a spot on the Bears' roster.
I don't anticipate Davis to receive many offensive snaps this season unless there is an injury, but the 27-year-old receiver must make his impact on special teams. If he does get an opportunity to play offensive snaps, he needs to prove he can execute his assignment whatever that may be.
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Tight Ends: (3)
Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, Sam Roush,
The Bears have arguably one of the best tight end rooms in the NFL. It was going to be tough to make the roster, and I had former Iowa Hawkeyes undrafted free agent Hayden Large in my first 53-man roster prediction.
However, an injury last week took him out of the Bears' final few practices and he wasn't available during the preseason finale. So I didn't put him on the active roster, but he is definitely a special teams candidate.
Offensive lineman: (10)
Braxton Jones, Joe Thuney, Garrett Bradbury, Jonah Jackson, Darnell Wright, Ozzy Trapilo, Theo Benedet, Logan Jones, Luke Newman, Jordan McFadden
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I went back and forth on the final offensive lineman spot. I wouldn't be surprised if somehow Kiran Amegadjie makes this roster, but I don't have that happening here.
Amegadjie played into the fourth quarter of the finale preseason game, which indicates the team wanted to see every rep from the former third-round pick.
Newman didn't have the best outing against the Titans on Saturday, but he's shown more than Amegadjie t this point. Also, Trapilo could be a candidate to go on injured reserve. If that happens, I would have Jedrick Wills Jr. making the team.
Defensive Lineman: (10)
Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett, Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker, Daniel Hardy, Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, James Lynch, Jordan van den Berg, Marcus Davenport
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With Gervon Dexter Sr. being traded to the Atlanta Falcons for cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick, I put veteran James Lynch in that spot. Lynch has been productive throughout the preseason and provided versatility on the D-line.
Van den Berg continues to prove that draft status means nothing as a sixth-round draft pick. It's been fun to watch his climb up the Bears' depth chart.
Jayden Loving is a prime candidate to make the practice squad.
Linebackers: (5)
T.J. Edwards, Devin Bush, D'Marco Jackson, Jack Sanborn, Ruben Hyppolite II
This group would have been more interesting if rookie Keyshaun Elliott had practiced in training camp. He was activated off the PUP list on Aug. 25.
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Hyppolite has shown flashes, at times, displaying his speed, something the defense wanted to add going into the 2026 season.
I think Elliott starts on the practice squad since he hasn't played enough meaningful snaps throughout the summer.
Cornerbacks: (6)
Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Malik Muhammad, Josh Blackwell, Clark Phillips III, Terell Smith
There hasn't been any new updates with Kyler Gordon, so I have him being placed on the reserve/PUP list, which would force the Bears' nickel cornerback to miss at least the first four games. Rookie Malik Muhammad has a realistic shot to start the season.
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With Phillips now on the roster, I believe he takes Jaylon Jones' spot. Jones suffered a hamstring injury in the preseason finale against the Titans.
Smith performed well in the preseason game against the Titans, showing why he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster.
Safety: (4)
Dillon Thieneman, Xavier Woods, Cam Lewis, Skyler Thomas
I didn't make any changes here from my last 53-man roster prediction. The only question is who is going to start at safety opposite of Thieneman.
The Bears will have to make that decision soon with the Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers approaching.
Special Teams: (3)
Cairo Santos, Tory Taylor, Beau Gardner
The same trio as last time.
