Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Alyssa Barbieri

Bears roster upgrades, downgrades heading into 2023 season

The Chicago Bears roster has undergone plenty of changes this offseason, where general manager Ryan Poles has added some impact players at some key positions of need.

As the Bears prepare for training camp, it’s clear there are few roster locks at this point of the summer. Which means there will be plenty of roster battles to watch during camp and the preseason.

We examined each position group on the Bears’ roster to predict if they project to be better or worse, or if we can expect more of the same in 2023.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Key returners

  • Justin Fields

Key additions

  • P.J. Walker
  • Tyson Bagent

Key losses

  • Trevor Siemian

The Bears made improvements at backup quarterback replacing Trevor Siemian with P.J. Walker, a quarterback who has a similar skillset to Justin Fields.

The verdict: Upgrade

Running back

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Key returners

  • Khalil Herbert
  • Khari Blasingame

Key additions

  • D’Onta Foreman
  • Roschon Johnson
  • Travis Homer

Key losses

  • David Montgomery

Chicago lost David Montgomery to free agency, but they added some solid options in D’Onta Foreman, rookie Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer to pair with Khalil Herbert.

The verdict: Upgrade

Wide receiver

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Key returners

  • Darnell Mooney
  • Chase Claypool
  • Equanimeous St. Brown
  • Velus Jones Jr.
  • Dante Pettis

Key additions

  • DJ Moore
  • Tyler Scott

Key losses

  • Byron Pringle
  • N’Keal Harry

The Bears might just have the best receiving corp they’ve had in years with DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool. They also added Tyler Scott in the NFL draft.

The verdict: Upgrade

Tight end

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Key returners

  • Cole Kmet

Key additions

  • Robert Tonyan
  • Stephen Carlson

Key losses

  • Ryan Griffin
  • Trevon Wesco

Cole Kmet is coming off a breakout year, and Chicago upgraded at backup tight end with Robert Tonyan, who will be a solid receiving option for Fields.

The verdict: Upgrade

Offensive line

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Key returners

  • Cody Whitehair
  • Teven Jenkins
  • Braxton Jones
  • Lucas Patrick

Key additions

  • Nate Davis
  • Darnell Wright

Key losses

  • Riley Reiff
  • Michael Schofield

Chicago made some big improvements to the offensive line with the additions of Nate Davis and rookie Darnell Wright, where protecting Fields is of utmost importance.

The verdict: Upgrade

Edge rusher

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Key returners

  • Trevis Gipson
  • Dominique Robinson

Key additions

  • DeMarcus Walker
  • Rasheem Green

Key losses

  • Al-Quadin Muhammad

The Bears still lack a star at edge rusher, but they definitely upgraded with the free-agent additions of DeMarcus Walker and Rasheem Green to pair with Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson. Another veteran could be added to the roster during training camp.

The verdict: Upgrade

Defensive tackle

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Key returners

  • Justin Jones

Key additions

  • Andrew Billings
  • Gervon Dexter
  • Zacch Pickens

Key losses

  • Armon Watts
  • Mike Pennel

Chicago upgraded the defensive interior in a big way with the additions of Andrew Billings and rookies Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens to pair with Justin Jones.

The verdict: Upgrade

Linebacker

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Key returners

  • Jack Sanborn

Key additions

  • Tremaine Edmunds
  • T.J. Edwards
  • Noah Sewell

Key losses

  • Nicholas Morrow

Linebacker has now become the strength of this Bears roster with the free-agent additions of Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell and Dylan Cole will battle for the SAM spot.

The verdict: Upgrade

Cornerback

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Key returners

  • Jaylon Johnson
  • Kyler Gordon

Key additions

  • Tyrique Stevenson
  • Terell Smith

Key losses

  • N/A

Chicago improved at cornerback behind Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon with rookie Tyrique Stevenson, who’s an upgrade over Kindle Vildor. The Bears also added rookie Terell Smith in the draft.

The verdict: Upgrade

Safety

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Key returners

  • Eddie Jackson
  • Jaquan Brisker
  • Elijah Hicks

Key additions

  • Kendall Williamson

Key losses

  • DeAndre Houston-Carson

While Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker return as starters, the loss of DeAndre Houston-Carson looms large. An inexperienced Elijah Hicks figures to fill that role. The Bears also added rookie Kendall Williamson in the seventh round of the draft.

The verdict: Downgrade

Special teams

Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Key returners

  • Cairo Santos
  • Trenton Gill
  • Patrick Scales

Key additions

  • Andre Szmyt

Key losses

  • N/A

Chicago has two potential starters at kicker on the roster in Cairo Santos and undrafted rookie Andre Szmyt, which will make for an interesting camp battle this summer.

The verdict: Upgrade

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.