LAKE FOREST, Ill. — By now, it’s likely you’ve heard that securing a spot on the 2024 Bears roster will be significantly more challenging than in the past two seasons under general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus.
This shift comes after an offseason dedicated to bolstering a 7-10 team that already had a solid foundation.
In 2022, the roster cut day opened up around 20 positions. Last year, at least ten spots were uncertain.
However, with the roster deadline approaching on Tuesday, the 2024 Bears face only a handful of openings, along with several critical questions, as they finalize their initial 53-man roster.
Long Snapper Concerns?
Long snapper Patrick Scales has been absent from practice for several weeks due to what has been labeled a soft-tissue back injury.
Backup long snapper Cameron Lyons has had several opportunities to snap during the Bears’ last two preseason games.
As of Sunday, Scales had neither returned to practice nor was seen rehabbing alongside other injured players on the sidelines.
“We’ll see. We’ll see,” Eberflus stated on Saturday when questioned about Scales’ situation. “We don’t have clarity right now. Once we do, we’ll need to make some decisions. We’re prepared to do that. We’ll remain flexible.”
The outcome regarding Scales’ condition will influence how the Bears assemble the latter part of their roster. If the injury appears to be long-term, they might consider placing him on injured reserve with a return designation. However, teams are limited to two such designations.
Should Scales be sidelined for an extended period, it’s likely the Bears will audition other long snapper candidates, especially given Lyons’ inconsistent performance during the preseason.
Alternatively, the Bears could opt to place Lyons on the practice squad and elevate him for the first week or two if they decide to retain him while Scales recovers.
Larry Borom’s Injury and Offensive Line Depth
On Saturday, Eberflus provided no updates regarding swing tackle Larry Borom. Borom sustained an ankle injury during the Bears’ 34-21 preseason victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and was carted off the field.
Even before the injury, Borom’s position on the roster was uncertain due to the salary escalator he triggered in his contract last season. The likelihood is high that this injury will rule Borom out for the 2024 season.
The Bears are expected to retain at least nine offensive linemen on their initial 53-man roster. Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, Ryan Bates, Nate Davis, Darnell Wright, Matt Pryor, and Kiran Amegadjie are considered secure spots.
Guard Bill Murray appears to be in strong contention for a roster spot, having had a solid training camp and receiving praise from Eberflus.
With Bates still nursing an injury and Amegadjie being recently activated from the Non-Football Injury list, the Bears may choose to include at least one more offensive lineman, possibly raising the total to ten.
With Bates’ Week 1 availability uncertain, this situation could pave the way for Doug Kramer to secure a place on the initial 53. If Bates is likely to miss a week or two, the Bears will need a backup center, and Kramer stands out as the best choice.
It seems the Bears might prefer to retain tackle Jake Curhan over Kramer, but the immediate requirement for a backup center remains crucial until Bates is fully fit. They might keep Curhan while attempting to sign Kramer to the practice squad, calling him up until Bates returns to full health.
Offensive line projection:
Starters
Braxton Jones
Teven Jenkins
Coleman Shelton
Nate Davis
Darnell Wright
ell Wright
Depth
Ryan Bates
Matt Pryor
Kiran Amegadjie
Bill Murray
Kramer
PS: Jake Curhan
The Defensive Line
Over the weekend, the Bears bolstered their defensive line with two new acquisitions. They traded for edge rusher Darrell Taylor and defensive tackle Chris Williams in separate deals.
Taylor joins a group of edge rushers that includes established players like Montez Sweat, DeMarcus Walker, and rookie Austin Booker.
This addition provides the Bears with two sets of edge rushers; however, depending on the numbers, they will likely retain at least one, if not two, additional players.
When asked if Taylor would take on a significant role opposite Sweat, Eberflus indicated the Bears would “play the hot hand” alongside their Pro Bowl edge rusher. He named Walker, Taylor, Booker, and third-year rusher Dominique Robinson as viable options to fill that role.
The Bears are encouraged by Robinson’s development as he enters his third year. Initially arriving in 2022 as a former quarterback/wide receiver, he has been honing his skills in this new position. The team believes he has shown enough potential to earn rotational snaps this season, at least for now. Additionally, Robinson is a valuable asset on special teams.
This situation may leave Daniel Hardy in a challenging position. Hardy has arguably had the standout training camp at Halas Hall, and his preseason performance should have solidified his place on the team.
Nonetheless, roster calculations may prevent the Bears from including both Robinson and Hardy on the initial 53-man roster. While I feel that Hardy has earned a spot, it’s evident that those at Halas Hall remain confident in Robinson’s progression.
Furthermore, the Bears are grappling with significant depth concerns at the defensive tackle position. To address this, they acquired Williams and a 2025 seventh-round draft pick from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick.
Having played under Eberflus in Indianapolis, Williams is already familiar with the scheme and is expected to contribute some rotational snaps while Zacch Pickens is sidelined.
However, this still leaves the Bears with just three defensive tackles. Currently, Byron Cowart is on the 90-man roster, but they may consider stashing him on the practice squad and calling him up for Week 1 rather than keeping him on the initial 53-man roster.
There’s a possibility they could take a similar approach with Hardy.
As it stands, I anticipate the Bears will keep nine defensive linemen on the 53-man roster: Sweat, Booker, Walker, Taylor, Williams, Pickens, Robinson, Gervon Dexter, and Andrew Billings.
If they intend to retain Hardy as well, they will need to make space by cutting from another position, likely either running back or cornerback.
This leads us to…
Final Opportunity for Velus Jones
The Bears have shifted Velus Jones to running back as a last-ditch effort to maximize the output from the 2022 third-round pick.
Jones struggled as a wide receiver, but his explosive speed remains an uncoachable asset, prompting the move to running back to see if it could be a better fit.
So far, the transition appears promising.
The Bears also value Jones as a kick returner, so it was crucial for him to contribute beyond just a few special teams plays to secure one of the final roster spots.
Jones has garnered significant support within Halas Hall, and typically, high draft picks receive three years to establish themselves. This is a pivotal moment for Jones.
I suspect he will make the initial 53-man roster, but a single significant error could cost him his spot.
If that were to happen, the Bears would be left with six running backs on the roster and two players—Jones and Deandre Carter—whose primary roles involve returning kicks or punts and serving as gunners on coverage teams.
I’m uncertain if that arrangement is feasible.
Fullback Khari Bl
Khari Blasingame may be the one at risk if the Bears need to cut a running back to create space for depth in other areas.
Shane Waldron, the offensive coordinator, has not employed a full-time fullback since his tenure as an offensive quality control coach with the New England Patriots in 2008. However, he is recognized for tailoring his offensive schemes to suit his available personnel, and Blasingame has been prominently featured during training camp installations.
Alongside Blasingame, the Bears have valuable contributors on special teams in the form of Jones, Travis Homer, Roschon Johnson, and Khalil Herbert.
If the Bears choose to retain six running backs, cornerback Greg Stroman might find himself excluded from the initial 53-man roster. Despite performing admirably during camp and earning a spot, the Bears boast tremendous depth at cornerback with Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Josh Blackwell, Terell Smith, and Jaylon Jones.
Even though Jones has dealt with some injuries, he has emerged as a dependable backup corner who can step in as a starter when necessary.
Final Roster Projection
Quarterback (2): Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent
Practice Squad targets: Brett Rypien, Austin Reed
Running Back (6): D’Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, Khari Blasingame, Velus Jones Jr., Travis Homer
Wide Receiver (5): DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Tyler Scott, Deandre Carter
Practice Squad targets: Dante Pettis, Collin Johnson
Tight End (3): Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, Marcedes Lewis
Practice Squad target: Brendan Bates
Offensive Line (10): Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, Nate Davis, Ryan Bates, Darnell Wright, Matt Pryor, Bill Murray, Kiran Amegadjie, Doug Kramer
Practice Squad target: Jake Curhan
Defensive Line (9): Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter, Andrew Billings, DeMarcus Walker, Austin Booker, Darrell Taylor, Chris Williams, Dominique Robinson, Zacch Pickens
Practice Squad target: Daniel Hardy
Linebacker (5): T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, Amen Ogbongbemiga
Practice Squad target: Micah Baskerville
Cornerback (6): Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Terell Smith, Josh Blackwell, Jaylon Jones
Practice Squad targets: Greg Stroman Jr., Reddy Steward
Safety (4): Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, Jonathan Owens, Elijah Hicks
Specialists (3): Cairo Santos, Tory Taylor, Patrick Scales
Practice Squad target: Cameron Lyons
Click here to follow the Under Center Podcast.
“`html
Challenges Ahead: Navigating the 2024 Bears Roster Cuts and Key Injuries
Understanding the 2024 Chicago Bears Roster Cuts
As the Chicago Bears gear up for the 2024 NFL season, the focus shifts toward the looming roster cuts. Each year, teams must trim their rosters down to the mandatory limit, and the Bears face several challenges this season. Knowing how to navigate these cuts is essential for fans and analysts alike.
Key Considerations for Roster Cuts
- Performance Analysis: Evaluating player performance during training camps and preseason games.
- Injury Reports: Understanding how injuries will impact player availability and overall team needs.
- Team Needs: Assessing positional strengths and weaknesses to make informed cuts.
- Contract Situations: Considering the financial implications of releasing certain players.
Notable Positions to Watch
The Bears have a few key positions that will significantly influence their roster decisions:
- Quarterback: With a mix of veteran and younger players, the decision here could define the team’s future.
- Wide Receiver: A crowded field means tough cuts, particularly for those not establishing themselves.
- Defensive Line: Solid depth is crucial, especially after last season’s struggles.
Key Injuries Impacting the Bears
Injuries can drastically shift a team’s roster strategy. For the Bears heading into the 2024 season, several injuries could impact their decisions.
Injury Report Overview
| Player | Position | Status | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Fields | Quarterback | Questionable | Week 3 |
| Darnell Mooney | Wide Receiver | Probable | Week 1 |
| Roquan Smith | Linebacker | Out | Unknown |
Impact of Injuries on Roster Decisions
Injuries to pivotal players like Justin Fields can force the coaching staff to reconsider their approach. Decisions may need to be made in haste, impacting the overall chemistry of the team.
Balancing the Roster: Benefits and Practical Tips
Navigating the roster cuts and injuries require strategic planning. Here are some practical tips for the Bears’ management and coaching staff:
Benefits of a Structured Approach
- Enhanced Team Cohesion: Fostering a unified approach to roster cuts can keep morale high.
- Strategic Depth: Maintaining depth in critical positions can mitigate the impact of injuries.
- Future Planning: Assessing young talent helps to build a sustainable team.
Practical Tips for Roster Management
- Conduct thorough evaluations during training. Use metrics and game film to assess performance.
- Communicate transparently with players to manage expectations and maintain trust.
- Consider the long-term implications of cuts; prioritize players who fit the team’s future vision.
Case Studies: Previous Roster Cuts and Injury Management
Examining how the Bears and other teams have navigated similar situations in the past can provide valuable insights.
Historical Context
The 2021 Bears faced significant challenges with injuries affecting key players. The management’s decision to cut players who weren’t performing led to a resurgence in the second half of the season. This reflects the importance of timely roster decisions.
Successful Strategies
- Focusing on Youth: Teams that prioritized younger, healthier players often found long-term success.
- Injury Prevention Programs: Investing in injury prevention can reduce the likelihood of key players missing games.
First-Hand Experience: Insights from Players and Coaches
Insights from players and coaches who have navigated these challenges can provide a unique perspective.
Voices from the Chicago Bears
Former players often speak about the mental fortitude required during cuts. “It’s not just about talent; it’s about being in the right headspace,” shared a retired Bears linebacker. Coaches emphasize the importance of a supportive environment during this time.
Tips from Coaches
- Use empathy when communicating cuts to foster a positive team culture.
- Encourage players to support each other, which can alleviate stress during cuts.
Conclusion
As the Chicago Bears navigate the impending roster cuts and injuries heading into the 2024 season, the complexities of these challenges demand careful consideration. With a structured approach, an understanding of player dynamics, and lessons learned from previous experiences, the team can overcome obstacles and position itself for success.
Through strategic decision-making and a focus on both current needs and future potential, the Bears can not only manage their roster effectively but also build a resilient team poised to meet the trials of the upcoming NFL season head-on.
“`
