It has been 240 days since the Chicago Bears have played a game of consequence. But finally, game week has come to our doorstep.
Last week, the Bears dropped their first 53-player roster of the 2021 NFL season. Naturally, it has already seen a number of changes. So let’s explore the depth chart ahead as we get things rolling for the first of (at least 🤞) 17 games this season.
Offense
** – denotes rookie
QUARTERBACKS
1) Andy Dalton
2) Justin Fields**
3) Nick Foles
No surprises here.
RUNNING BACKS
1) David Montgomery
2) Damien Williams
3) Khalil Herbert**
IR: Tarik Cohen
WIDE RECEIVER #1
1) Allen Robinson II
2) Breshad Perriman
WIDE RECEIVER #2
1) Darnell Mooney
2) Damiere Byrd
WIDE RECEIVER #3
1) Marquise Goodwin
2) Nsimba Webster
After breaking camp with just four receivers, the Bears dove into the waiver wire to unearth Nsimba Webster. Shortly after that, the team brought in post-hype sleeper candidate Breshad Perriman. These moves slid training camp standout Rodney Adams to the practice squad. And while this group leaves you wanting more, having Allen Robinson II in his Mr. Reliable role is a nice safety blanket.
TIGHT END
1) Cole Kmet
2) Jimmy Graham
3) Jesse James
Others: J.P. Holtz, Jesper Horsted
LEFT TACKLE
1) Jason Peters
2) Larry Borom**
It was noteworthy when reporter Mark Grote sent out a tweet relaying rookie Larry Borom was “working exclusively” as left tackle. Moreover, it feels telling that Elijah Wilkinson — brought on to be the team’s swing tackle last spring — isn’t necessarily serving in that role. Wilkinson will back up Germain Ifedi at right tackle for now.
LEFT GUARD
1) Cody Whitehair
2) Alex Bars
CENTER
1) Sam Mustipher
2) Cody Whitehair
A fun little factoid: Mustipher, Whitehair, and Bars took snaps at center last year. And a year before that, Daniels took regular-season reps at center. That the Bears have versatility in the middle is nice.
RIGHT GUARD
1) James Daniels
2) Alex Bars
RIGHT TACKLE
1) Germain Ifedi
2) Elijah Wilkinson
3) Lachavious Simmons
IR: Teven Jenkins**
Defense
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
1) Akiem Hicks
2) Angelo Blackson
NOSE TACKLE
1) Eddie Goldman
2) Khyiris Tonga**
DEFENSIVE END
1) Bilal Nichols
Suspended list: Mario Edwards Jr. (2-game suspension)
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER #1
1) Khalil Mack
2) Trevis Gipson
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER #2
1) Robert Quinn
2) Jeremiah Attaochu
INSIDE LINEBACKER #1
1) Roquan Smith
2) Christian Jones
INSIDE LINEBACKER #2
1) Alec Ogletree
2) Joel Iyiegbuniwe
3) Caleb Johnson**
IR: Danny Trevathan
CORNERBACK #1
1) Jaylon Johnson
2) Xavier Crawford
CORNERBACK #2
1) Kindle Vildor
2) Duke Shelley
3) Artie Burns
The Bears don’t designate a slot cornerback. But because of how often offenses send out three-receiver sets, having a third starting-caliber corner is virtually a must. With that in mind, Chicago seems willing to go to battle with Duke Shelley as the nickel corner. For better or worse.
SAFETY #1
1) Eddie Jackson
2) Deon Bush
3) Marqui Christian
SAFETY #2
1) Tashaun Gipson Sr.
2) DeAndre Houston-Carson
First-year Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai could get really creative with his secondary by deploying someone like Marqui Christian or DeAndre Houston-Carson as a nickel defender. Or, if he is feeling totally out of pocket, Desai could put Eddie Jackson in that spot from time-to-time. We know Jackson can shine in that spot.
Special Teams
KICKER
Cairo Santos
PUNTER
Pat O’Donnell
LONG-SNAPPER
Patrick Scales
KICK RETURNS
1) Khalil Herbert**
2) Nsimba Webster
PUNT RETURNS
1) Nsimba Webster
2) Damiere Byrd
3) Darnell Mooney
The return game truly misses Cordarrelle Patterson and Tarik Cohen. Ideally, Khalil Herbert can show off as he did in college. And perhaps Nsimba Webster can keep the ball rolling after flashing in the preseason. But until those playmakers take steps in the right direction, the jury is out on the return game.