The Chicago Bears got their final cuts ahead of the 2023 season underway on Sunday. It will continue over the next 72 hours, with the deadline coming on August 30th. GM Ryan Poles must get the roster down from 90 to 53, meaning 37 players will lose their jobs soon. It’s a harsh reality for many after weeks of hard work in the summer heat. Even worse is the likelihood a few more players will also be cut to make way for potential waiver wire pickups and trade acquisitions. The NFL can be cutthroat.
Here is the full list of cuts so far. We will be keeping track of them all as they come. Be sure to save this article so you can know who’s in and who’s out.
Chicago Bears cuts ahead of the final deadline.
QB P.J. Walker
Nobody saw the possibility coming in the spring. Tyson Bagent changed that with his rapid improvement, capped by three impressive preseason outings. The Bears saw no need to keep Walker and his hefty contract as the #3 guy.
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OG Alex Leatherwood
This was a minor surprise. Leatherwood seemed to show improvement at left guard, only allowing one pressure on the QB in three preseason games. My best guess is the Bears weren’t impressed by his run-blocking or his lack of aggression.
OT Gabe Houy (injury)
This is a sad story. Houy was a capable blocker at Pitt, but injuries haunted him during his time there. That’s why he went undrafted. It’s a horrible twist of fate to see his run with the Bears end on an ugly leg injury.
DT Bravvion Roy
Roy was a solid run defender in Carolina, but he ran into a crowded depth chart with the Chicago Bears. There was no way he was unseating Gervon Dexter or Zacch Pickens. Travis Bell also seemed to outplay him.
OT Kellen Diesch
While a talented athlete at tackle, Diesch didn’t make enough progress in the power department. Larry Borom’s strong preseason also made his chances of grabbing a backup spot almost negligible.
OG Logan Stenberg
The Bears claimed him off waivers from the Detroit Lions not too long ago. While he didn’t perform badly in any respect, he didn’t stand out enough to make waves in the backup competition at guard.
OL Bobby Haskins
He didn’t play much in the preseason, which was a clear sign of where he sat on the depth chart to begin with. Haskins was a camp body who likely never had a realistic shot to make the roster.
LB Davion Taylor
Linebacker was already mostly set before training camp began. Taylor was a later addition meant to combat some recent attrition due to injuries. He was never much of a threat to make the roster.
DT Andrew Brown
He had a few nice moments, but like Roy he was battling against a stacked depth chart. The Bears may look to bring him back on the practice squad depending on other moves.
CB Michael Ojemudia
The former 3rd round pick looked sharp over the past two weeks, with some strong moments in coverage. Unfortunately, he was not overtaking Terell Smith, Josh Blackwell, or Jaylon Jones. He will definitely be a practice squad option, though.
WR Daurice Fountain
The veteran receiver had a couple of big catches against Tennesee and Indianapolis in the preseason. However, his lack of special teams versatility made him unlikely to crack the roster.
TE Lachlan Pitts
A late arrival to the roster in the middle of training camp. He didn’t stand out much in his few opportunities and never threatened the top three on the depth chart.
WR Nsimba Webster
He played quite well in the finale against Buffalo and has special teams value as well. Still, the depth at receiver was too strong for him to overcome.
EDGE D’Anthony Jones
There is no question Jones has pass rush skill. He played well in the preseason. It looks like he needs to reconfigure his body and improve his technique. A prime practice squad candidate.
LB Barrington Wade
Though a late addition to the roster, he made a great play to preserve the win over Tennessee. It wasn’t enough to show he’s worth more than other options.
OT Aviante Collins
A solid run blocker from Dallas, Collins ran into the same problem as other backup tackles on the roster. That is Larry Borom. His play made it almost impossible to make the roster. Collins’ injury in the preseason finale didn’t help.
RB Trestan Ebner
The former 6th round pick always had athletic potential. As is often the case, it takes more than that to succeed in the NFL. He never made a strong enough impression.
LB DeMarquis Gates
The former USFL standout was a solid addition in 2022, but significant additions to the linebacker spot this off-season made it difficult for Gates to stay relevant.
TE Stephen Carlson
You never want to say one play cost you a roster spot, but Carlson’s ugly dropped TD against Buffalo sure didn’t help his case. The truth is the Chicago Bears are probably fine going with Kmet, Tonyan, and Lewis.
FB Robert Burns
He had a fun finish to the preseason with his touchdown and two-point conversion. The reality is he was never a real threat to Khari Blasingame.
S Bralen Trahan
It was evident right away that Trahan has the ball skills the Bears want from their defensive backs. His release likely comes down to no special teams value. He will likely be on the practice squad.
DT Travis Bell
This is an unfortunate one. Bell actually played well throughout the preseason. He stood up in the run game and provided some pass rush. He was simply trapped behind fellow rookies Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens, both of whom were drafted higher. Bell is almost certain to return on the practice squad.
QB Nathan Peterman
The only thing holding Tyson Bagent back from claiming the backup quarterback job was the presence of Nathan Peterman. That is no longer a problem. The undrafted rookie has officially pulled it off.
OL Roy Mbaeteka
An international prospect who has stuck around the league for the past couple of years. He has lots of talent but is raw in every aspect. His chances of making the roster were never great.
LB Micah Baskerville
The undrafted rookie had a strong preseason but it wasn’t enough to win over the coaches. Veteran Dylan Cole brings more special teams value. That is likely what won out.
LB Mykal Walker
He was productive last year in Atlanta and might’ve served as a solid backup to Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. However, backups need to have some special teams capability. He does not.
S Kendall Williamson
The 7th round pick had some decent moments in the preseason. Sadly, those were overshadowed by how well Elijah Hicks and A.J. Thomas played.
CB Kindle Vildor
Ryan Pace’s fingerprints on the Bears’ roster continue to slowly disappear. Vildor had promise after his first season, but he never managed to take that next step.
EDGE Trevis Gipson
After how well he played in the preseason, it’s surprising the Chicago Bears didn’t find a trade partner for Gipson. Either way, it was evident his time on the roster was ticking when the reports came out.
EDGE Jalen Harris
The undrafted rookie deserves credit for some solid showings against the Titans and Colts. He will likely land on the practice squad, where the coaches can continue polishing him.
OL Dieter Eiselen
The South African-native has doggedly stuck around for the past two years and has value at center and guard. It’s likely the arrival of Dan Feeney via trade made him expendable.
CB Macon Clark
An end-of-the-bench player that failed to make any sort of impact. One of many camp bodies.
CB Greg Stroman Jr.
He had a couple of nice pass defenses late in the preseason. Yet with a stacked depth chart ahead of him, nothing short of a stellar special teams showing would’ve saved him.
