Bears 53-man roster projections

EDITOR: Jacob has slightly tweaked his prediction now that the preseason is over, so scroll down to see what he has now. You can keep up on all the Bears cuts and rumors in this tracker right here.

The Chicago Bears have one more preseason game of the 2021 season before the regular season kicks off, and with the end of the preseason comes roster cuts.

Impending cuts will see the Bears trim their roster down to 53 players, designating some players to the practice squad and cutting ties with others completely. Chicago has already gotten started on that process, cutting the likes of Javon Wims, Ledarius Mack and CJ Marable in the last few days. There’s also the possibility they bring in some new players cut by other teams, but such an exercise is nearly impossible to predict.

Final Bears 53-man roster prediction

QB (3): Andy Dalton, Justin Fields, Nick Foles

Barring a Foles trade, this is self explanatory.

RB (4): David Montgomery, Damien Williams, Khalil Herbert, Artavis Pierce

Until Tarik Cohen comes back, it might be a smart move to keep the explosive Pierce as a fourth-string back and special teamer.

WR (6): Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney, Marquise Goodwin, Damiere Byrd, Dazz Newsome, Rodney Adams

The first five seem to be locks, while Adams beats out the likes of Riley Ridley, Isaiah Coulter and Jon’Vea Johnson with his special teams value and strong preseason.

TE (4): Cole Kmet, Jimmy Graham, Jesse James, JP Holtz, Jesper Horsted

Late-season addition James has been a pleasant surprise, while Holtz gives them an experienced special teamer.

EDITOR: Sorry JP, it’s all about Jespermania now!

OL (8): Jason Peters, Cody Whitehair, Sam Mustipher, James Daniels, Germain Ifedi, Larry Borom, Alex Bars, Elijah Wilkinson

Though the backup performances along the offensive line have been rocky this preseason, Bars and Wilkinson sneak into the last two spots, the former for his versatility and the latter for his experience.

DL (5): Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols, Angelo Blackson, Khyiris Tonga

The Bears could consider keeping six defensive linemen while Mario Edwards Jr. serves his suspension, but these five seem to be safe assumptions to make the active roster.

EDGE (5): Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn, Jeremiah Attaochu, Trevis Gipson, Charles Snowden

Attaochu and Gipson seem like locks to back up Mack and Quinn, while the toolsy Snowden could be a player with too much upside to risk keeping on the practice squad.

LB (4): Roquan Smith, Danny Trevathan, Christian Jones, Alec Ogletree

Either of Josh Woods or Joel Iyiegbuniwe could realistically find their way on the roster, but Jones and Ogletree have arguably played the best in training camp and the preseason.

S (5): Eddie Jackson, Tashaun Gipson, Deon Bush, DeAndre Houston-Carson, Marqui Christian

Bush and Houston-Carson are special teams mainstays, while Christian got bumped up from my original tweet with Edwards’ suspension.

CB (6): Jaylon Johnson, Kindle Vildor, Duke Shelley, Desmond Trufant, Thomas Graham Jr., Artie Burns

The Bears’ cornerback position seems to be a crapshoot for the most part. The first three project as current starters. Trufant makes it for his experience, Graham offers solid long-term upside, while Burns makes the team for his flashes in preseason play.

ST (3): Cairo Santos, Pat O’Donnell, Patrick Scales

Kicker Brian Johnson has looked really good this offseason, but Santos’ contract means there shouldn’t be any turnover here.

PS: Lachavious Simmons, Arlington Hambright, Isaiah Coulter, Riley Ridley, Jon’Vea Johnson, Jesper Horsted, Josh Woods, Daniel Archibong, Caleb Johnson, Brian Johnson, Tre Roberson, James Vaughters, Sam Kamara, Xavier Crawford, Teez Tabor, Dieter Eiselen

Reserve/IR/PUP: Mario Edwards Jr. (suspended for two games), Tarik Cohen, Teven Jenkins, Mike Pennel, Jordan Lucas, Michael Joseph