Depth is essential in the NFL, but everybody knows it is on the starters to carry a team forward. With a new coaching staff in town, the Chicago Bears are one of the more challenging teams to predict in terms of who will be on the field come opening day against the San Francisco 49ers. GM Ryan Poles has done everything he can to create competition across the entire roster. It might not look perfect, but there is definite intrigue.
So let’s take a moment to zoom out and evaluate things. Training camp is one month away. Many things can change once the pads go on. Still, seeing how things are shaking out right now is interesting. Here is a projection of the 22-man starting lineup between the offense and defense for the Bears.
Chicago Bears projected starting lineup as of now.
Offense
- Quarterback: Justin Fields
- Running back: David Montgomery
- Wide receiver: Darnell Mooney
- Wide receiver: Byron Pringle
- Wide receiver: Velus Jones
- Tight end: Cole Kmet
- Left tackle: Braxton Jones
- Left guard: Cody Whitehair
- Center: Lucas Patrick
- Right guard: Teven Jenkins
- Right tackle: Larry Borom
There aren’t many surprises at the skill positions. Fields is the unquestioned starting quarterback, as is Montgomery at running back. Mooney, Pringle, and Jones are the top three receivers by a comfortable margin. Kmet has no real challenger at tight end, so it’s his job this year. Where things get really interesting is the offensive line. Matt Eberflus said his goal is to get together the five best blockers on the field.
Sticking to those words, this is how things shake out. In terms of pure ability, Jones is their best left tackle option despite his obvious lack of experience as a rookie. That leaves what to do with Borom and Jenkins. Considering the latter’s recent demotion, it makes more sense to move him inside to guard, where his length and average feet are less of a concern. Borom functioned well at right tackle last year and is the better pass protector of the two. An interior of Whitehair, Patrick, and Jenkins is the best they can do.
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Defense
- Defensive end: Robert Quinn
- Defensive tackle: Angelo Blackson
- Defensive tackle: Justin Jones
- Defensive end: Trevis Gipson
- Weak linebacker: Nicholas Morrow
- Middle linebacker: Roquan Smith
- Outside corner: Jaylon Johnson
- Outside corner: Kyler Gordon
- Nickel corner: Thomas Graham Jr.
- Free safety: Eddie Jackson
- Strong safety: Jaquan Brisker
There is a chance Quinn may get traded before the season. In truth, that doesn’t feel likely. If the Chicago Bears end up moving him, the odds favor it happening around the trade deadline in October. So he’ll be on the roster come opening day. He and Gipson will form a strong edge tandem. The problem is the interior. Blackson is their best of some meh options at nose tackle. Jones is their designated interior pass rusher, but that interior feels like a weakness.
Morrow and Smith should be on the field together most of the year, with strong-side linebacker a part-time role. The secondary is where it gets fun. Graham Jr. wasn’t even a consideration for nickel corner when practices began. Now he’s playing with the first-team defense over veteran Tavon Young. With rookies Gordon and Brisker, this will be an exceedingly young secondary. There will be growing pains, but the group’s talent is worth getting excited about.
Pat Findlay above is NUTS ! At a minimum Quinn is a 3rd Rd value ! Wait and get more the closer to trade deadline !
I agree with Tonga maybe starting over Blackson
I think you got the starting lineups exactly right!
Keep your eye on St. Brown this camp. Nothing motivates a guy like having your little brother best you in the same division. He’s got all the tools — just needs a little more opportunity to get some work.
Who says Blackson starts, Tonga may win that job.