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The Chicago Bears released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of their preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 10.
When looking at Chicago’s first unofficial depth chart, there are some things that aren’t much of a surprise -- Caleb Williams as the starting quarterback, wide receiver, most of the offensive line, the defensive line and the secondary. But there are also some interesting competitions unfolding at training camp, and this is the first (unofficial) glimpse at where things currently stand.
This is far from finalized. But here’s what we learned from the Bears’ first unofficial depth chart:
It's turned into a two-man race at left tackle between veteran Braxton Jones and rookie Ozzy Trapilo, but it's also not surprising to see the three-year starter currently slotted in that starting spot. Outside of tight end Colston Loveland, no rookie is slotted into a starting spot. While there's been a rotation between Jones and Trapilo during recent practices, it's certainly noteworthy that Trapilo has started with the first team more than Jones. Right now, Jones' experience lands him in that starting role, but a strong training camp and preseason from Trapilo could push him into the starting role.
One of the more intriguing roster battles that's emerged during training camp is for the second cornerback spot opposite Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson. With Johnson sidelined with a leg injury, it's been a healthy dose of Tyrique Stevenson and Nahshon Wright at outside cornerback (with Kyler Gordon in the slot). While Stevenson has rotated with Terell Smith at times, it's notable that Wright has been with the first-team defense since the start of training camp. But, for right now, Stevenson has done just enough to earn that starting role over Wright.
Another position battle that's been under watchful eyes is backup quarterback, where Tyson Bagent is facing competition from journeyman Case Keenum. While many assumed Keenum would be the backup given his value as a mentor and his experience, Bagent has been a solid backup quarterback in his two years in the league. The former undrafted free agent has really impressed Ben Johnson, and it certainly looks like he's primed to retain the QB2 role. Another strong preseason should solidify that for Bagent. Then the question becomes: Do the Bears keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster?
While the Bears are set with the duo of T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds -- positions to be determined as Dennis Allen experiments with them -- Noah Sewell has emerged as the favorite for the strong side linebacker job. He's been facing competition from fourth-round rookie Ruben Hyppolite II, but it certainly feels like Sewell's job to lose. After hearing the media rave about Sewell during training camp, where his instincts and speed have been on display it's certainly no surprise to see Sewell in that LB3 spot.
The Bears are loaded at wide receiver, and it seems like the first five spots are set with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay. But that final job is up for grabs between a bevy of wideouts, including standout undrafted rookie JP Richardson, former fourth-round pick Tyler Scott and free-agent addition Miles Boykin. Right now, Boykin gets the nod for that final role, so Scott and Richardson will have to prove their worth in the preseason to try and edge Boykin out of the WR6 spot.
It's certainly notable which players currently entrenched in position battles are sitting in the driver's seat. But head coach Ben Johnson indicated this depth chart should be changing as training camp and the preseason pans out. Simply put: Keep competing and earn that starting job or roster spot.
"Told the players that training camp is about competition," Johnson said. "We’re trying to earn the right for the 53, we’re trying to earn a role. Defensively, we don’t know who's going to be up for certain packages going into Week 1. Offensively, there’s a lot of battles going on. And so the message to the players was don’t look too far into the depth chart, particularly at this point of the training camp.”
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Takeaways from Chicago Bears' first unofficial depth chart
Continue reading...
When looking at Chicago’s first unofficial depth chart, there are some things that aren’t much of a surprise -- Caleb Williams as the starting quarterback, wide receiver, most of the offensive line, the defensive line and the secondary. But there are also some interesting competitions unfolding at training camp, and this is the first (unofficial) glimpse at where things currently stand.
This is far from finalized. But here’s what we learned from the Bears’ first unofficial depth chart:
Braxton Jones listed as starting left tackle
It's turned into a two-man race at left tackle between veteran Braxton Jones and rookie Ozzy Trapilo, but it's also not surprising to see the three-year starter currently slotted in that starting spot. Outside of tight end Colston Loveland, no rookie is slotted into a starting spot. While there's been a rotation between Jones and Trapilo during recent practices, it's certainly noteworthy that Trapilo has started with the first team more than Jones. Right now, Jones' experience lands him in that starting role, but a strong training camp and preseason from Trapilo could push him into the starting role.
Tyrique Stevenson gets nod at CB2
One of the more intriguing roster battles that's emerged during training camp is for the second cornerback spot opposite Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson. With Johnson sidelined with a leg injury, it's been a healthy dose of Tyrique Stevenson and Nahshon Wright at outside cornerback (with Kyler Gordon in the slot). While Stevenson has rotated with Terell Smith at times, it's notable that Wright has been with the first-team defense since the start of training camp. But, for right now, Stevenson has done just enough to earn that starting role over Wright.
Tyson Bagent edges out Case Keenum for backup QB
Another position battle that's been under watchful eyes is backup quarterback, where Tyson Bagent is facing competition from journeyman Case Keenum. While many assumed Keenum would be the backup given his value as a mentor and his experience, Bagent has been a solid backup quarterback in his two years in the league. The former undrafted free agent has really impressed Ben Johnson, and it certainly looks like he's primed to retain the QB2 role. Another strong preseason should solidify that for Bagent. Then the question becomes: Do the Bears keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster?
Noah Sewell occupies third linebacker spot
While the Bears are set with the duo of T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds -- positions to be determined as Dennis Allen experiments with them -- Noah Sewell has emerged as the favorite for the strong side linebacker job. He's been facing competition from fourth-round rookie Ruben Hyppolite II, but it certainly feels like Sewell's job to lose. After hearing the media rave about Sewell during training camp, where his instincts and speed have been on display it's certainly no surprise to see Sewell in that LB3 spot.
Miles Boykin gets final receiver spot
The Bears are loaded at wide receiver, and it seems like the first five spots are set with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay. But that final job is up for grabs between a bevy of wideouts, including standout undrafted rookie JP Richardson, former fourth-round pick Tyler Scott and free-agent addition Miles Boykin. Right now, Boykin gets the nod for that final role, so Scott and Richardson will have to prove their worth in the preseason to try and edge Boykin out of the WR6 spot.
This depth chart is far from a finished product
It's certainly notable which players currently entrenched in position battles are sitting in the driver's seat. But head coach Ben Johnson indicated this depth chart should be changing as training camp and the preseason pans out. Simply put: Keep competing and earn that starting job or roster spot.
"Told the players that training camp is about competition," Johnson said. "We’re trying to earn the right for the 53, we’re trying to earn a role. Defensively, we don’t know who's going to be up for certain packages going into Week 1. Offensively, there’s a lot of battles going on. And so the message to the players was don’t look too far into the depth chart, particularly at this point of the training camp.”
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Takeaways from Chicago Bears' first unofficial depth chart
Continue reading...
