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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Alyssa Barbieri

Projecting the Bears’ depth chart following roster updates

The Chicago Bears have made some updates to their 53-man roster with the addition of seven players who were claimed off waivers.

Chicago’s roster consists of 13% of new players who joined the team in the last few days. That includes offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, nose tackle Armon Watts and wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

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The Bears will release their first depth chart ahead of their season opener against the 49ers. But until then, we’re taking another swing at projecting the Bears’ 2022 depth chart heading into Week 1.

Quarterback

Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Position 1st string 2nd string
QB Justin Fields Trevor Siemian

Unlike last year, there’s really no questions or drama with the quarterbacks. There’s no debating that Justin Fields is QB1 heading into this season, and Trevor Siemian will serve as his backup.

Running Back

Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Position 1st string 2nd string 3rd string
RB David Montgomery Khalil Herbert Trestan Ebner
FB Khari Blasingame Jake Tonges

Running back is the strength of this Bears offense. David Montgomery returns as the lead back with rising star Khalil Herbert set to see an expanded role in Luke Getsy’s offense. Trestan Ebner should also get some looks. Khari Blasingame is the top fullback with Jake Tonges backing him up.

Wide receiver

AP Photo/Stephen Brashear
Position 1st string 2nd string 3rd string
WR Darnell Mooney Byron Pringle Dante Pettis
WR Equanimeous St. Brown Velus Jones Jr. Ihmir Smith-Marsette

Darnell Mooney is the clear WR1 heading into the season, and Equanimeous St. Brown gets the WR2 nod for now given he’s played the entire summer while Byron Pringle and Velus Jones Jr. have been sidelined with injuries. Dante Pettis should see plenty of work on special teams. The Bears placed N’Keal Harry and Tajae Sharpe on IR and claimed Ihmir Smith-Marsette off waivers.

Tight end

AP Photo/Caean Couto
Position 1st string 2nd string 3rd string
TE Cole Kmet Ryan Griffin Trevon Wesco

There aren’t a lot of questions at the tight end position, where Cole Kmet is the top guy heading into the season. He continues to build his connection with Fields, and he’s been his top target behind Mooney. Veterans Ryan Griffin and Trevon Wesco will back him up.

Offensive line

Jane Gershovich/Getty Images
Position 1st string 2nd string
LT Braxton Jones Riley Reiff
LG Cody Whitehair Ja’Tyre Carter
C Lucas Patrick Sam Mustipher
RG Teven Jenkins Alex Leatherwood
RT Larry Borom Alex Leatherwood

The starting offensive line appears to be set with LT Braxton Jones, LG Cody Whitehair, C Lucas Patrick, RG Teven Jenkins and RT Larry Borom. Sam Mustipher will backup Patrick, who remains sidelined after thumb surgery. The Bears claimed Alex Leatherwood this week, and he’s someone who can play both right guard and right tackle. While the hope is he develops into a starter, Chicago doesn’t have to rush him.

Defensive line

Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Position 1st string 2nd string 3rd string
DE Robert Quinn Al-Quadin Muhammad Kingsley Jonathan
DT Justin Jones Angelo Blackson
DT Armon Watts Mike Pennel
DE Trevis Gipson Dominique Robinson

The defensive line doesn’t come as too much of a surprise with Robert Quinn, Trevis Gipson and Al Quadin-Muhammad leading the way at defensive end. No surprise with Justin Jones at the 3-technique position. That nose tackle spot will be one to watch. The Bears claimed Armon Watts off waivers, and he’s someone who should be starting at nose tackle.

Linebacker

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski
Position 1st string 2nd string
LB Roquan Smith Sterling Weatherford
LB Nicholas Morrow Jack Sanborn
LB Matt Adams

Roquan Smith and Nicholas Morrow are locks at weak-side and middle linebacker, and Matt Adams will likely nab the strong side-job. Jack Sanborn will backup Morrow at middle linebacker while newcomer Sterling Weatherford, who was claimed off waivers, will serve as a key reserve.

Cornerback

Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Position 1st string 2nd string 3rd string
CB Jaylon Johnson Kindle Vildor Jaylon Jones
CB Kyler Gordon Lamar Jackson Josh Blackwell

There’s no question that Jaylon Johnson and rookie Kyler Gordon are the top cornerback options for Chicago. The only question is how Gordon will be utilized. And given he saw plenty of action at nickel cornerback during the preseason, we can probably expect that to continue. That would mean it would be Kindle Vildor starting opposite Johnson on the outside. Lamar Jackson and undrafted rookie Jaylon Jones were bubble players who made the cut and Josh Blackwell joins the group after he was claimed off waiver.

Safety

Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Position 1st string 2nd string 3rd string
S Eddie Jackson DeAndre Houston-Carson Elijah Hicks
S Jaquan Brisker Dane Cruikshank

The Bears are set at safety. Eddie Jackson will start at free safety with Jaquan Brisker manning strong safety. DeAndre Houston-Carson, Dane Cruikshank and Elijah Hicks are the top reserves, and they’ll also serve as special teams contributors.

Special Teams

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Position 1st string 2nd string 3rd string Other
K Cairo Santos
P Trenton Gill
LS Patrick Scales
H Trenton Gill Trevor Siemian

The Bears special teams will look different for the first time in a few years following the departure of Pat O’Donnell. Rookie Trenton Gill takes over the starting duties at punter while Cairo Santos and Patrick Scales are back at kicker and long snapper, respectively.

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