The Chicago Bears are about to enter the next phase of training camp. One where they begin preparations for their first preseason game. This is a huge moment for a ton of players on the roster. While obvious starters won’t see much action this month, several on the bottom half know that the next three weeks could determine their ultimate status. Some end up seizing the opportunity. Others fade out.
Head coach Matt Nagy has a lot of work to do. Right now he’s had plenty of tape to evaluate. Several names who might be moving up and down his board for possible choices on the final 53-man roster. With the first cutdown date set for August 17th, who are some names that are either rising or falling with Miami looming on the horizon?
Chicago Bears who sit on the fringe for good or bad reasons
Gaining:
Alec Ogletree (ILB)
There usually isn’t any such thing as an overnight sensation in training camp. Ogletree crumpled up that script and tossed it out the window. After being signed August 4th as an emergency depth option at inside linebacker, the former 1st round pick proceeded to interception six passes over the next four practices. Six. As a linebacker. That is just unheard of. It’s also a reminder that Ogletree was a pretty good player not too long ago. He had 136 tackles in 2016 and was a second-team All-Pro. He also had five interceptions in 2018. At 29-years old, he’s not worn down by time yet. Can a guy snag a roster spot in less than a week? It’s looking that way.
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Jon’Vea Johnson (WR)
What a story this is turning into. Johnson was an undrafted free agent for Dallas back in 2019. He got off to a good start but suffered a shoulder injury, forcing the team to place him on injured reserve. Then during the summer of 2020, he landed on the COVID-19 list. By the time he got back, he was already way behind. After a stint on the practice squad, he was released this past March. After a cup of coffee in Jacksonville, the Bears signed him right before camp after a tryout. He’s quickly developed a reputation for hitting big plays. Particularly in the red zone. Johnson grew up just a 35-minute drive from Chicago. It would be pretty fitting if he somehow cracked the roster.
Justin Fields touchdown throw to Jon’Vea Johnson in practice today 👀@justnfields ➡️ @Jvezzy7
— Bear Down Blog (@BearDown_Blog) August 6, 2021
Jesse James (TE)
Always viewed as the “other” tight end in both Pittsburgh and Detroit. James had to play in the shadows of higher draft picks. This has made it easy to miss that he’s a pretty good player. He is big with decent athleticism and strong hands. He’ll also do the dirty work as a blocker. It was a surprise he lasted in free agency as long as he did. When he started catching a lot of passes from Justin Fields almost immediately upon arrival? It became clear the Chicago Bears may have found themselves a perfect #3 tight end behind Jimmy Graham and Cole Kmet.
Fading:
Javon Wims (WR)
The Bears already parted ways with one hot-headed receiver in Anthony Miller. One can imagine Wims didn’t exactly come into camp as a favorite among the coaching staff. He hasn’t done much to help his cause. While he has a nice collection of highlights, there are also several instances of him dropping passes. This will give fans PTSD flashbacks of his brutal dropped touchdown against the Saints in the wild card loss. That isn’t going to do him any favors. Especially with a number of other receivers like Johnson, Rodney Adams, and Chris Lacy making strong pushes to grab one of those precious final two roster spots.
Jameis Winston's touchdown was the same play design the Bears ran last week when Javon Wims dropped it. pic.twitter.com/Dv7RU386ZK
— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) January 18, 2021
Josh Woods (ILB)
Things changed remarkably fast for Woods in the past 96 hours. He went on the injury report with a thigh problem. Not long after, the Bears signed Ogletree. Just like that, the entire outlook of the position has changed. Once considered a decent possibility to be one of the final four to make the roster, Woods could be on the outside looking in with both Ogletree and another new arrival Christian Jones gaining steam. Wood was never much of a standout on defense. He made his name on special teams. That might not be enough to save him this time. He needs to get back quickly and start making things happen.
Desmond Trufant (CB)
When the Chicago Bears signed Trufant in the spring, everybody made the immediate assumption that he was the heir apparent to the departed Kyle Fuller. It made sense. He’s a veteran and a former Pro Bowler. However, things can often be unpredictable in training camp. Trufant hasn’t really stood out much and is already dealing with health issues. Something that constantly held him back the past two seasons. With Kindle Vildor and other young corners doing good things lately, it’s fair to wonder if the Bears will go with a young movement. Remember Trufant signed for the veteran minimum. So there is no cap penalty for cutting him.