Bears Training Camp Buzz: Early Surprises, Roster Battles & A 53-Man Projection

After two weeks of intense training camp action, the Chicago Bears are deep in the grind of summer football — and it’s clear that change is in the air. With a new head coach, a rookie franchise quarterback, and revamped position groups on both sides of the ball, this year's roster is shaping up to look very different from what fans have grown used to.

First-year head coach Ben Johnson is already putting his stamp on the organization. From his demanding practices to the way he pushes accountability across every unit, it's clear this isn't going to be a typical rebuild. The culture shift is real — and players are responding. So, as we roll into preseason and the countdown to Week 1 begins, here's a deep dive into who’s rising, who’s fading, and a bold look at how the Bears’ 53-man roster projection could shake out.

🔥 Quarterbacks

• Starter: Caleb Williams

• Backups: Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum

Let’s start with the position that gets all the headlines: quarterback. Caleb Williams is clearly the guy. The Bears didn’t draft him No. 1 overall to sit. He’s taken command of the offense faster than most expected. Case Keenum was brought in as a veteran mentor — think of him as a calming, experienced presence in the QB room. But don’t overlook Tyson Bagent. Entering his third year, he’s been sharp and has made a strong case to back up Williams. Don't be shocked if the Bears carry all three into the regular season.

💥 Wide Receiver Stack: Loaded & Competitive

• Starters: DJ Moore, Rome Odunze

• Backups: Luther Burden III, Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay, JP Richardson

This room is suddenly deep. DJ Moore is WR1 — no debate there — and Rome Odunze is proving early on why he was a top-10 draft pick. The two have already shown chemistry with Williams. Meanwhile, Luther Burden III and Olamide Zaccheaus add versatility and slot savvy. Devin Duvernay is the gadget guy and return ace, but JP Richardson is the name everyone’s buzzing about. The rookie has made a play seemingly every day in camp. With Miles Boykin sidelined due to injury and Tyler Scott not quite keeping pace, Richardson sneaks onto the final 53.

🛡️ Offensive Line: Quiet Battles, Big Impact

• Starters: Ozzy Trapilo (LT), Joe Thuney (LG), Drew Dalman (C), Jonah Jackson (RG), Darnell Wright (RT)

• Backups: Braxton Jones, Kiran Amegadjie, Ryan Bates, Doug Kramer

Keep an eye on this group — especially the left tackle competition. Trapilo is currently edging out Braxton Jones, but that battle’s far from over. Darnell Wright is locked in at RT and Joe Thuney brings leadership and Pro Bowl talent to the interior. Depth is strong here with Amegadjie looking more NFL-ready than expected and both Bates and Kramer able to play multiple positions across the line.

🔐 Tight Ends: Quiet Confidence

• Starter: Cole Kmet

• Backups: Colston Loveland, Durham Smythe

No real drama here. Cole Kmet is still the anchor at TE, but the buzz around Colston Loveland is growing louder. The rookie didn’t participate in OTAs but has made up ground fast during camp. Coaches love his catch radius and route-running polish. Durham Smythe brings value as a blocker and situational player. Solid and safe trio.

💣 Defensive Line: New Faces, Fresh Threats

Defensive Tackles:

• Starters: Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr.

• Backups: Andrew Billings, Shemar Turner, Chris Williams

Defensive Ends:

• Starters: Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo

• Backups: Austin Booker, Dominique Robinson

This unit is suddenly deep and disruptive. The Bears stole Grady Jarrett in the offseason, and his pairing with Dexter Sr. and Andrew Billings could be nightmare fuel for opposing centers. While Shemar Turner is still sidelined, the team is high on his long-term potential. And don’t sleep on Chris Williams—he just beat out Zacch Pickens for a final roster spot.

Edge-wise, Montez Sweat looks like a man possessed, and Dayo Odeyingbo has quietly been stacking strong days. Rookie Austin Booker brings speed off the edge and Dominique Robinson has done enough to earn one more shot.

💪 Linebackers: Solid Core, Rising Rookies

• Starters: T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds

• Backups: Noah Sewell, Ruben Hyppolite II, Amen Ogbongbemiga

This group is as stable as they come. Edwards and Edmunds have spent two seasons growing their chemistry, and it’s paying off now. Noah Sewell has stepped into the LB3 role with confidence, but Hyppolite II is right behind him. Amen Ogbongbemiga, besides having the coolest name in the league, is a beast on special teams.

🛡️ Cornerback Depth: Best in Years?

• Starters: Jaylon Johnson, Nahshon Wright, Kyler Gordon (NCB)

• Backups: Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith, Josh Blackwell (NCB), Zah Frazier

You could make a case that this is the strongest position group on the entire roster. Jaylon Johnson is playing like he wants that big extension. Nahshon Wright has been a surprise CB2 — overtaking Stevenson on the depth chart. Kyler Gordon is a nasty nickel corner who fits Johnson’s aggressive scheme. And let’s talk about rookie Zah Frazier. While he’s missed time due to personal reasons, his ceiling is through the roof. The Bears are expected to stash him if needed, but he stays on the 53 for now.

🧱 Safety Blanket

• Starters: Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard

• Backups: Elijah Hicks, Jonathan Owens

Not a lot of drama here. Brisker and Byard have built a strong rapport, and both are vocal leaders on defense. Hicks and Owens provide reliable depth and key contributions on special teams. Simple and effective.

🏈 Running Backs: Underrated Firepower

• Starter: D’Andre Swift

• Backups: Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai, Travis Homer

The Bears have built a sneaky-good running back room. D’Andre Swift is the lead guy, and he looks healthy and sharp. Roschon Johnson continues to impress with his versatility and blocking. Monangai is the bruiser and goal-line option, while Travis Homer makes the team thanks to his value on special teams. That leaves Ian Wheeler as the odd man out… for now.

🧤 Special Teams: No Surprises Here

• Kicker: Cairo Santos

• Punter: Tory Taylor

• Long Snapper: Scott Daly

Special teams is usually where some curveballs come in — but not this year. Santos is as steady as they come, and Tory Taylor, the rookie punter, might be one of the most exciting leg talents in the league. Scott Daly beats out Luke Elkin at long snapper, and that trio looks locked in.

📌 Final Thoughts

So what do we know? After two weeks of camp:

• Caleb Williams is already the face of the franchise.

• The WR room is stacked, and JP Richardson is a name to remember.

• Ben Johnson’s leadership is translating — fast.

• The Bears defense looks tougher, deeper, and more dangerous.

This projection isn’t set in stone, but it offers a strong early look at what the final roster could resemble when the Bears kick off their season. Preseason games will shake things up, but one thing is clear: this team feels different — and in the best possible way.