We have a pretty good idea of which Chicago Bears players are on the hot seat this upcoming season. Tyrique Stevenson, Grady Jarrett, and T.J. Edwards are three names that immediately come to mind. These are players who really disappointed last season and are in line to lose their jobs if they don’t rebound in 2026. However, here is a somewhat more interesting question. Who are the players on the cusp of joining the hot seat? These are guys who still have some credibility, either due to performance or draft status, but are rapidly running out.
If they can’t deliver on their potential with a productive season this year, there is a strong probability that the Bears will go hunting for either competition or outright replacements in 2027. After looking over the depth chart ahead of training camp, three names stand out.
These Chicago Bears are running empty on grace periods.
WR Rome Odunze
It’s a good thing the Bears traded D.J. Moore. Otherwise, fans and media might’ve explored the topic of how frankly disappointing Odunze has been over his first two seasons. Chicago selected him 9th overall in 2024. That comes with high expectations. So far, Odunze has certainly flashed that potential, but his consistency has been a major problem. In 29 games, he’s been credited with eight official dropped passes. The number could be even higher depending on who you ask. That is not an acceptable number for a top 10 pick.
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If that weren’t enough, he also missed five games last season with a stress fracture in his foot. Recently hearing head coach Ben Johnson say you should buy stock in Luther Burden wasn’t a coincidence. The coaching staff doesn’t see Odunze as a true #1 guy. If he doesn’t do something to change that perspective this season, there is a strong probability that he could get steadily relegated to third or fourth target in the offense.
CB Kyler Gordon
This is fast becoming the biggest what-if scenario in recent Chicago Bears history. Remember how people always wondered what Mike Brown’s career would’ve been like had he stayed healthy? This is the same conversation that is starting to envelop Gordon. Nobody can argue that the former 2nd round pick is a really good player. One of the better nickel cornerbacks in the league when he’s on the field. Therein lay the problem, though. Gordon has missed 23 games across his first four seasons in the NFL.
The best ability is availability, and the cornerback hasn’t shown any signs of fixing that problem. He was even hurt again before the start of OTAs, limiting his participation. Patience is wearing thin among fans. The Bears drafted Malik Muhammad in the 4th round and are already working him in the slot. It is beyond evident that the team is preparing for life after Gordon unless he turns things around this year.
EDGE Austin Booker
The Chicago Bears didn’t spend any money or a draft pick on edge rushers this offseason. That was by far the biggest shock to everybody, given where their pass rush was at the end of 2025. While general manager Ryan Poles insisted it was because the team wanted to give the returning Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner a chance to build on what they started, most believe the team was leaving the door wide open for Booker to, hopefully, ascend to become a legitimate starter.
Chicago has waited patiently for the former 5th round pick to develop since 2024. It looked like last year would be a breakout, but a knee injury in the preseason stunted his progress. After a slow start upon his return, he had 4.5 sacks in his final six games of the year. Word is he’s in peak shape ahead of 2026. Teams don’t usually afford players this kind of opportunity. If Booker can’t put it all together now, you can bet his role will significantly decrease next year as the Bears revamp the entire defensive line.
