The Chicago Bears have one preseason game left to play against the Tennessee Titans. Less than a week remains before final roster cuts must be complete on August 31st. That means the coaching staff must get answers to whatever lingering questions they have. While most decisions are likely made by now, it isn’t hard to imagine that some battles remain up for grabs even now.
Presuming the team doesn’t make some outside moves in the days to come, let’s explore every battle that could have an impact moving forward. Several positions remain unsettled. On both offense and defense. Now some will want to see quarterback mentioned. Don’t count on it. The team has made their intentions with that quite clear. So let us focus on the other areas that matter.
Chicago Bears roster battles that are still undecided
Wide receiver
Leader: Rodney Adams
Challengers: Jon’Vea Johnson and Isaiah Coulter
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Adams has traveled a long way to reach this position. He was a 5th round pick of Minnesota, failed to crack the roster, and eventually decided to shelve football in favor of acting. Two years later he felt the itch to return. After failing to land opportunities elsewhere, the Bears gave him a shot. Now after a pair of stellar catches the past two weeks, Adams is poised to earn his way onto the roster.
However, his grip on the spot isn’t ironclad yet. He left the door open with a number of drops he’s had along the way. With Javon Wims and Riley Ridley fading, it looks like his biggest threats are Johnson who is still standing out in practice and the newcomer Coulter. Chicago signed him this past week after he was released by Houston. A former 5th round pick in 2020, he has a nice mix of size and speed. A strong outing in Nashville might turn eyes his way.
Offensive tackle
Leader: Jason Peters
Challenger: Larry Borom
Matt Nagy made it clear that Peters isn’t being handed anything yet. Yes, he’s a former six-time All-Pro and one of the best left tackles of his generation. Still, he missed 11 games with injuries the past two years. The Chicago Bears need to see him prove that he has what they need. That said, common sense would indicate there is no way Peters agrees to join the team without a pretty clear path to the starting job.
Even so, the team hasn’t been shy in their praise of Borom. Several people strongly believe he has the capability to be a starting left tackle in the NFL. He has the size and strength and gained the necessary quickness after dropping several pounds before the draft. The rookie flashed some of that potential against Buffalo. Can he do enough to overtake Peters in Nashville? That is hard to say. It may depend on whether the team feels the 39-year old is ready yet since he didn’t go through training camp.
Outside linebacker
Leader: Charles Snowden
Challenger: James Vaughters
Having a good stable of pass rushers is never a bad thing in this league. With Trevis Gipson and Jeremiah Attaochu clinging to the 3rd and 4th spots at outside linebacker, it remains uncertain if the team will carry a 5th like last season. If they do, then one has to imagine Snowden would be the choice. He was the Bears’ biggest acquisition of undrafted free agency this year and looked strong against both Miami and Buffalo. The kid certainly has loads of potential.
Vaughters though hasn’t made this decision easy. The veteran remains an active threat off the edge as well with multiple pressures the past two weeks. He refuses to be ignored. This is one of the battles that looks like it may actually be decided by what happens in the Titans game. Snowden has the inside track but if Vaughters has a good performance? He might steal the spot at the eleventh hour.
Inside linebacker
Leader: Christian Jones
Challengers: Joel Iyiegbuniwe and Caleb Johnson
Another position where it isn’t clear if the Bears will carry four or five players. If it’s four? The team already appears set with Roquan Smith, Danny Trevathan, Alec Ogletree, and Jones. The latter might be the most unstable in terms of his spot on the roster. If true or if the team does plan to carry a fifth guy? Then the two primary contenders are Iyiegbuniwe and Johnson at this point.
Austin Calitro landed on IR with a knee injury. Josh Woods missed critical time with a quad issue. In the interim, the undrafted rookie Johnson has really stood out in the preseason. Not only was he strong against the run on defense, but he also made some nice plays on special teams. Is that enough to overtake Iyiegbuniwe who has been a core guy in the third phase for Chicago since he was drafted? We’re about to find out.
Cornerback
Leader: Kindle Vildor
Challenger: Artie Burns
Buffalo proved one thing. The Chicago Bears aren’t exactly swimming in good cornerbacks. Jaylon Johnson is easily the best they have. Outside of him? It gets questionable in a hurry. Right now it looks like their 5th rounder from last year, Vildor, is the favorite to start at the opposite outside spot. However, his ugly performance against the Bills failed to cement that. The door remains open and a contender is emerging.
Many would’ve thought Desmond Trufant would be the obvious challenger here but he hasn’t done much of anything this month. In practice or the games. Burns on the other hand? He had two pass breakups against Buffalo and has looked strong in drills during the past two weeks. The former 1st round pick always had the ability. Is he finally unlocking it? Chicago seems willing to let him prove himself.
