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The Chicago Bears kicked off organized team activities (OTAs) this week at Halas Hall, where veterans and rookies gathered for on-field workouts. General manager Ryan Poles has continued to build the roster this offseason, adding some potential impact players on both offense and defense.
It's been a busy offseason for Chicago, who saw the additions and subtractions of key players during free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. The Bears lost key veterans -- center Drew Dalman, wide receiver DJ Moore, safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, cornerback Nahshon Wright and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds -- while welcoming some new ones to the mix -- safety Coby Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush, center Garrett Bradbury and wide receiver Kalif Raymond.
Chicago welcomed a new rookie class led by first-round steal Dillon Thieneman, who upgrades the secondary in a massive way. The Bears also added some new toys on offense for head coach Ben Johnson, including center Logan Jones, tight end Sam Roush and wide receiver Zavion Thomas on Day 2. Chicago also added some high upside rookies in cornerback Malik Muhammad, linebacker Keyshaun Elliott and defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg on Day 3.
With OTAs kicking off, we're projecting what this Bears depth chart might look like right now:
Caleb Williams is entering his third season, and second working with Ben Johnson, and expectations are higher than ever. Williams had a breakout season in 2025, where he emerged as one of the NFL's most clutch quarterbacks. Now, the Bears are looking at him to take the next step. Meanwhile, Tyson Bagent is back as Williams' backup while Case Keenum returns as another coaching figure for Williams.
The Bears return their running back duo of D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, which led the NFL's third-best rushing attack last season. Swift is coming off a career year with Chicago, where he eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for just the second time in his career, while seventh-round rookie Monangai emerged as one of the biggest steals of the 2025 draft. Meanwhile, there will be competition for roster spots among Roschon Johnson, Brittain Brown, Salvon Ahmed and Coleman Bennett.
Chicago traded star wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills for a second-round pick, and a big reason they could do that was the 1-2 punch at receiver in young, promising players in Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, who will be focal points on offense. The Bears signed veteran Kalif Raymond to lead the young room and serve as WR3, as well as a return specialist. Chicago also added a speedy playmaker in Zavion Thomas in the third-round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Bears have one of the best tight end duos in the NFL with last year's rookie standout Colston Loveland and veteran Cole Kmet. Loveland led the team in receiving, receiving yards and tied for most touchdowns during his impressive rookie season. Kmet took a backseat in the passing game, but he was a solid target when needed and excelled as a blocker. The Bears drafted Durham Smythe's replacement in third rounder Sam Roush and added an undrafted rookie in Hayden Large.
The Bears return three key members of their top offensive line with All-Pro Joe Thuney, Darnell Wright and Jonah Jackson. But they suffered a massive loss following Drew Dalman's shocking retirement, which forced Chicago to trade for Garrett Bradbury to fill the void. But second-round rookie Logan Jones will challenge him for the starting center spot. With Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the season, there will once again be a left tackle competition between Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet and newcomer Jedrick Wills Jr.
The Bears return their top three edge rushers from a season ago with Montez Sweat, as well as Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo, who both missed significant time due to injury. Shemar Turner, who played defensive tackle last season, is expected to make the switch to edge, and he'll also be part of the rotation returning from injury. The Bears re-signed Daniel Hardy to provide depth and return a key special teamer. But there's a lot to be desired from this group, especially after the Bears notched just 35 sacks last season, and didn't address this position in the NFL Draft.
The Bears return starting defensive tackles Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett to a group that struggled last season, especially defending the run. Chicago spent free agency adding depth to the position, including signing Neville Gallimore, but they still need to find an impact interior defender to help shore up one of the biggest weaknesses on the roster. The Bears selected Jordan van den Berg in the seventh round of the NFL draft, and it sounds like they have big plans for him.
The Bears released Tremaine Edmunds before free agency kicked off as a means to free up salary cap space, and they found a cheaper replacement in Devin Bush, who had a career resurgence with the Cleveland Browns. Chicago also re-signed D'Marco Jackson, who stepped up amid injuries to Edmunds and T.J. Edwards last season. The Bears also returned a familiar face in Jack Sanborn to compete in a room also featuring Noah Sewell and Ruben Hyppolite II. Fifth-round rookie Keyshaun Elliott will also factor into the competition.
Chicago's top cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon missed most of the 2025 season due to injury, but they're returning healthy, which should help the secondary immensely. The Bears lost Pro Bowler Nahshon Wright in free agency, so they have a big decision to make at cornerback -- do they trust Tyrique Stevenson to start or turn to fourth-round rookie Malik Muhammad?
The Bears have a new-look safety duo with free-agent addition Coby Bryant and first-round rookie Dillon Thieneman, who both bring speed, instincts and athleticism to the secondary. Chicago lost both starting safeties in Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, as well as depth Jonathan Owens but managed to re-sign Elijah Hicks.
The Bears are returning their starting kicker and punter from a year ago, but they still have a question mark at long snapper. Scott Daly has been the starter for the past two years, but he departed in free agency. Now, it'll be a competition between two inexperienced pros in Luke Elkin and undrafted rookie Beau Gardner at long snapper.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears OTAs: Projected 2026 depth chart
Continue reading...
It's been a busy offseason for Chicago, who saw the additions and subtractions of key players during free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. The Bears lost key veterans -- center Drew Dalman, wide receiver DJ Moore, safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, cornerback Nahshon Wright and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds -- while welcoming some new ones to the mix -- safety Coby Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush, center Garrett Bradbury and wide receiver Kalif Raymond.
Chicago welcomed a new rookie class led by first-round steal Dillon Thieneman, who upgrades the secondary in a massive way. The Bears also added some new toys on offense for head coach Ben Johnson, including center Logan Jones, tight end Sam Roush and wide receiver Zavion Thomas on Day 2. Chicago also added some high upside rookies in cornerback Malik Muhammad, linebacker Keyshaun Elliott and defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg on Day 3.
With OTAs kicking off, we're projecting what this Bears depth chart might look like right now:
Quarterback
- Starter: Caleb Williams
- Reserves: Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum, Miller Moss
Caleb Williams is entering his third season, and second working with Ben Johnson, and expectations are higher than ever. Williams had a breakout season in 2025, where he emerged as one of the NFL's most clutch quarterbacks. Now, the Bears are looking at him to take the next step. Meanwhile, Tyson Bagent is back as Williams' backup while Case Keenum returns as another coaching figure for Williams.
Running back
- Starter: D'Andre Swift
- Reserves: Kyle Monangai, Roschon Johnson, Brittain Brown, Salvon Ahmed, Coleman Bennett
The Bears return their running back duo of D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, which led the NFL's third-best rushing attack last season. Swift is coming off a career year with Chicago, where he eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for just the second time in his career, while seventh-round rookie Monangai emerged as one of the biggest steals of the 2025 draft. Meanwhile, there will be competition for roster spots among Roschon Johnson, Brittain Brown, Salvon Ahmed and Coleman Bennett.
Wide receiver
- Starters: Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III
- Reserves: Kalif Raymond, Jahdae Walker, Zavion Thomas, Scotty Miller, Maurice Alexander, JP Richardson, Omari Kelly, Kyron Hudson
Chicago traded star wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills for a second-round pick, and a big reason they could do that was the 1-2 punch at receiver in young, promising players in Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, who will be focal points on offense. The Bears signed veteran Kalif Raymond to lead the young room and serve as WR3, as well as a return specialist. Chicago also added a speedy playmaker in Zavion Thomas in the third-round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tight end
- Starters: Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet
- Reserves: Sam Roush, Hayden Large, Stephen Carlson, Qadir Ismail, Nikola Kalinic
The Bears have one of the best tight end duos in the NFL with last year's rookie standout Colston Loveland and veteran Cole Kmet. Loveland led the team in receiving, receiving yards and tied for most touchdowns during his impressive rookie season. Kmet took a backseat in the passing game, but he was a solid target when needed and excelled as a blocker. The Bears drafted Durham Smythe's replacement in third rounder Sam Roush and added an undrafted rookie in Hayden Large.
Offensive line
- Left tackle: Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills Jr., Theo Benedet
- Left guard: Joe Thuney, Jordan McFadden, Kyle Hergel
- Center: Garrett Bradbury, Logan Jones, Jaren Kump
- Right guard: Jonah Jackson, Luke Newman, Caden Barnett
- Right tackle: Darnell Wright, Kiran Amegadjie, Mason Murphy
The Bears return three key members of their top offensive line with All-Pro Joe Thuney, Darnell Wright and Jonah Jackson. But they suffered a massive loss following Drew Dalman's shocking retirement, which forced Chicago to trade for Garrett Bradbury to fill the void. But second-round rookie Logan Jones will challenge him for the starting center spot. With Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the season, there will once again be a left tackle competition between Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet and newcomer Jedrick Wills Jr.
Edge rusher
- Starters: Montez Sweat, Austin Booker
- Reserves: Dayo Odeyingbo, Shemar Turner, Daniel Hardy, Jamree Kromah, Jonathan Garvin
The Bears return their top three edge rushers from a season ago with Montez Sweat, as well as Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo, who both missed significant time due to injury. Shemar Turner, who played defensive tackle last season, is expected to make the switch to edge, and he'll also be part of the rotation returning from injury. The Bears re-signed Daniel Hardy to provide depth and return a key special teamer. But there's a lot to be desired from this group, especially after the Bears notched just 35 sacks last season, and didn't address this position in the NFL Draft.
Defensive tackle
- Starters: Gervon Dexter, Grady Jarrett
- Reserves: Neville Gallimore, Jordan van den Berg, Kentavius Street, James Lynch, Jayden Loving
The Bears return starting defensive tackles Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett to a group that struggled last season, especially defending the run. Chicago spent free agency adding depth to the position, including signing Neville Gallimore, but they still need to find an impact interior defender to help shore up one of the biggest weaknesses on the roster. The Bears selected Jordan van den Berg in the seventh round of the NFL draft, and it sounds like they have big plans for him.
Linebacker
- Starters: Devin Bush, T.J. Edwards
- Reserves: D'Marco Jackson, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, Keyshaun Elliott, Ruben Hyppolite II, Nephi Sewell, Dominique Hampton, Wayne Matthews III, Jon Rhattigan
The Bears released Tremaine Edmunds before free agency kicked off as a means to free up salary cap space, and they found a cheaper replacement in Devin Bush, who had a career resurgence with the Cleveland Browns. Chicago also re-signed D'Marco Jackson, who stepped up amid injuries to Edmunds and T.J. Edwards last season. The Bears also returned a familiar face in Jack Sanborn to compete in a room also featuring Noah Sewell and Ruben Hyppolite II. Fifth-round rookie Keyshaun Elliott will also factor into the competition.
Cornerback
- Starters: Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon (NCB)
- Reserves: Malik Muhammad, Terell Smith, Josh Blackwell (NCB), Cam Lewis (NCB), Anthony Johnson Jr., KC Eziomume, Dallis Flowers, Dontae Manning
Chicago's top cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon missed most of the 2025 season due to injury, but they're returning healthy, which should help the secondary immensely. The Bears lost Pro Bowler Nahshon Wright in free agency, so they have a big decision to make at cornerback -- do they trust Tyrique Stevenson to start or turn to fourth-round rookie Malik Muhammad?
Safety
- Starters: Coby Bryant, Dillon Thieneman
- Reserves: Elijah Hicks, Gervarrius Owens, Skyler Thomas
The Bears have a new-look safety duo with free-agent addition Coby Bryant and first-round rookie Dillon Thieneman, who both bring speed, instincts and athleticism to the secondary. Chicago lost both starting safeties in Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, as well as depth Jonathan Owens but managed to re-sign Elijah Hicks.
Special teams
- Kicker: Cairo Santos, Gabriel Plascencia
- Punter: Tory Taylor
- Long snapper: Luke Elkin, Beau Gardner
The Bears are returning their starting kicker and punter from a year ago, but they still have a question mark at long snapper. Scott Daly has been the starter for the past two years, but he departed in free agency. Now, it'll be a competition between two inexperienced pros in Luke Elkin and undrafted rookie Beau Gardner at long snapper.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears OTAs: Projected 2026 depth chart
Continue reading...
