Let’s Sort Through the First 2021 Chicago Bears Depth Chart of the Regular Season

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.

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

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