Training camp is where jobs are won and lost in the NFL. The new Chicago Bears regime led by GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus has made one thing clear. Competition never stops on this team. Everything must be earned. Their goal isn’t to play favorites. It is to get the best players on the field so the team can win more games. That is why it would be unwise to presume anything. Names that seemed like lots because of their contributions last year don’t get a free pass. Not when the Bears went 3-14.
Some obvious names don’t have to worry much. Justin Fields is one. Braxton Jones, Jaquan Brisker, and Eddie Jackson are others. Outside of them and the newest arrivals via free agency and the draft, pretty much everyone else should not get comfortable. Here are four names that have good reasons to feel the most nervous next month.
Several notable Chicago Bears have reasons to be nervous.
WR Velus Jones
Jones was a disappointment as a wide receiver last year. He didn’t make much of an impact catching passes outside of one or two big plays. His shaky hands were often on full display. Thankfully he managed to steady himself through some great work on kickoff returns. That said, the NFL changed its rules which could make returning more difficult. If that weren’t bad enough, the Bears added two new receivers to the mix in D.J. Moore and rookie Tyler Scott. This puts the squeeze on available roster spots for him. Unless he starts progressing in the passing game, he may find himself battling for a job, never mind playing time.
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RB Khalil Herbert
David Montgomery leaving was good news for Herbert. It meant he was the unquestioned starter moving forward. That didn’t last long. Chicago quickly signed D’Onta Foreman in free agency. He ran for more yards than Herbert did last year. Then the team scooped Roschon Johnson in the 4th round. Many experts believe his well-rounded game makes him a legitimate threat to steal the starting job. No projected starter faces tougher competition in training camp this year than Herbert. If he doesn’t look sharp in practice or somehow gets injured, things could unravel for him quickly.
DT Justin Jones
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams made it clear that Jones remains the team’s starting three-technique at defensive tackle. He earned that right after being their most reliable interior pass rusher last season. That isn’t saying much, given he only had three sacks. Chicago drafted three defensive tackles: Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, and Travis Bell. All three are capable of playing the three-technique. If they start flashing in camp, this coaching staff will give them every opportunity to compete for the starting job. Jones may have seniority, but that doesn’t mean much if he gets outperformed.
LB Jack Sanborn
He was outstanding last year, replacing Roquan Smith. Unfortunately, he’s run into a hard truth about the NFL. Injuries can be a death sentence for players of “commoner” status. Without the benefit of being a high draft choice, Sanborn watched as the Bears signed Tremaine Edmunds to take over at middle linebacker. That means his only path forward as a starter is on the strong side, with T.J. Edwards handling the weak. If a position switch weren’t challenging enough, he has to deal with promising rookie Noah Sewell as competition for that job. Sanborn is tough and smart. He’ll be ready for battle, but the margin for error is thin.
