Check It Out: The Bears Released Their Week 1 Depth Chart

It’s been a while since the Bears dropped an updated depth chart.

Think about how much has changed since we put our eyes on the first edition of the team’s preseason depth chart. Just don’t spend too much time thinking about how much more can change in the days, weeks, and months to come. Not unless you want to dive down a rabbit hole.

Instead of going down that path, check out what the Bears depth chart looks like going into their regular-season opener against the 49ers.

(Ed. note: Bold names in CAPS are starters; names in italics are rookies)

Quarterbacks

  1. JUSTIN FIELDS
  2. Trevor Siemian

Running backs

  1. DAVID MONTGOMERY
  2. Khalil Herbert
  3. Trestan Ebner

Fullback

  1. KHARI BLASINGAME

Wide receiver #1

  1. DARNELL MOONEY
  2. Velus Jones Jr.
  3. Dante Pettis

Wide receiver #2

  1. EQUANIMEOUS ST. BROWN
  2. Byron Pringle
  3. Ihmir Smith-Marsette

Tight end

  1. COLE KMET
  2. Ryan Griffin
  3. Jake Tonges
  4. Trevon Wesco

Left tackle

  1. BRAXTON JONES
  2. Riley Reiff

Left guard

  1. CODY WHITEHAIR
  2. Lucas Patrick

Center

  1. LUCAS PATRICK
  2. Sam Mustipher

Right guard

  1. TEVEN JENKINS
  2. Ja’Tyre Carter

Right tackle

  1. LARRY BOROM
  2. Alex Leatherwood

Some notes:

  • After being listed as a fullback all summer, rookie Jake Tonges joins the tight ends room in an official capacity.
  • Where Lucas Patrick is listed intrigues me. Putting him as the backup behind Cody Whitehair suggests that the Bears could roll with a Jones-Whitehair-Mustipher-Jenkins-Borom five some if Patrick isn’t healthy enough to play center. Patrick’s health is something to watch for as the week progresses.
  • Rookies Ja’Tyre Carter (right guard) and Velus Jones Jr. (receiver) are essentially one snap away from joining Braxton Jones as rookies in the starting lineup.
  • Placing Alex Leatherwood at right tackle behind Larry Borom has me wondering if the long-term plan is to develop the Raiders castoff as a tackle. No need to rush him into the lineup. But if Borom isn’t cutting it, there is a second-year player who was a first-round pick a year ago waiting in the wings.
  • Defensive end

    1. ROBERT QUINN
    2. Dominique Robinson
    3. Kingsley Jonathan

    Defensive tackle

    1. JUSTIN JONES
    2. Armon Watts

    Defensive tackle #2

    1. ANGELO BLACKSON
    2. Mike Pennel Jr.

    Defensive end #2

    1. AL-QUADIN MUHAMMAD
    2. Trevis Gipson

    Linebacker #1

    1. NICHOLAS MORROW
    2. Sterling Weatherford

    Linebacker #2

    1. ROQUAN SMITH
    2. Jack Sanborn

    Linebacker #3

    1. MATTHEW ADAMS

    Cornerback #1

    1. JAYLON JOHNSON
    2. Lamar Jackson
    3. Josh Blackwell

    Cornerback #2

    1. KYLER GORDON
    2. Kindle Vildor
    3. Jaylon Jones

    Safety #1

    1. EDDIE JACKSON
    2. DeAndre Houston-Carson
    3. Elijah Hicks

    Safety #2

    1. JAQUAN BRISKER
    2. Dane Cruikshank

    Some more notes:

  • Trevis Gipson’s name slips down one spot on the depth chart, as he falls behind Al-Quadin Muhammad as the starting defensive end opposite of Robert Quinn. Muhammad has a history in Matt Eberflus’ system and flashed while in Indianapolis. I fully expected him to be a starting defensive end upon signing. And yet, I’m a bit disappointed that Gipson isn’t on the top line.
  • To be clear, this doesn’t mean Gipson can’t play his way back to the top. And we’re fresh off a season in which we saw Gipson thrive as a rotational defensive end before getting a starting gig when Khalil Mack went down with an injury. In other words, I doubt we’ve seen the last of Gipson taking a meaningful chunk of snaps
  • Two rookies starting in the secondary? Not a problem in my eyes. Youth will be served!
  • Special Teams

  • Kicker: Cairo Satos
  • Punter Trenton Gill
  • Long snapper: Patrick Scales
  • Holder: Trenton Gill, Trevor Siemian
  • Kick returns

    1. KHALIL HERBERT
    2. Velus Jones Jr.
    3. Byron Pringle
    4. Trestan Ebner

    Punt returns

    1. VELUS JONES JR.
    2. Dante Pettis
    3. Eddie Jackson

    Another batch of notes:

  • The biggest shakeup is in the return game, where Dazz Newsome could’ve secured a spot had he not muffed a pair of chances. Instead, it’s Khalil Herbert (who was KR1 for a chunk of last year before Jakeem Grant Sr. took over) and rookie Velus Jones Jr. handling duties.
  • I’m looking forward to seeing VJJ get his hands on the pigskin by any means necessary. That it has to come on returns to start is fine by me. Humble beginnings and what not. I do hope we get to a point where Jones is so important to the offense that the Bears won’t want to use him on special teams.
  • Eddie Jackson on the punt returner depth chart? All hands on deck!
  • It’s still weird to see a backup quarterback listed as the backup holder. A throwback to a simpler time.
  • 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.

    more bears news

    Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

    If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

    Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

    Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

    There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

    Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

    Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

    Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

    Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

    Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

    I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

    Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

    When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

    Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

    It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

    Latest News

    Suns vs. Thunder Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The game starts at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The matchup's point total is...

    Brewers vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The New York Mets (0-0) host the Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) in an Opening Day contest at 1:40 PM ET on Friday.The Brewers will call on Freddy Peralta against the Mets and Jose Quintana.Brewers vs. Mets Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen:...

    Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

    Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

    Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

    Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

    Suns vs. Thunder Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The matchup begins at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The point total is set...

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (50-22) are 6.5-point underdogs when they host the Denver Nuggets (51-22) in a battle between the top two teams in the Western at Ball Arena on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET on ALT. The...

    Knicks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The New York Knicks (44-28) will try to continue a three-game win streak when they visit the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center as big, 10-point favorites. The game airs at 8:00 PM ET...

    Kings vs. Mavericks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Dallas Mavericks (43-29) will look to Luka Doncic (first in the league scoring 33.9 points per game) when they try to beat De'Aaron Fox (eighth in the NBA with 26.5 PPG) and the Sacramento Kings (42-30) on Friday, March...

    more bears news