Bears 53-man roster projection: What OTAs told us about Ben Johnson's team
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — As the Chicago Bears head their separate ways for the summer, coach Ben Johnson hopes his first offseason program left an impression on his players.
'I think when these guys walk away, they understand what the expectation level is,' Johnson said. 'I hope they also understand our coaching staff a little bit better as well. We haven't fully come together as a unit, a full team yet, just offense, defense, special teams, but I think we made some headway there in getting to know each other.'
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Johnson's fiery, detail-driven persona on the practice field was the No. 1 takeaway from the offseason program. The second is that the Bears' roster is in decent shape. Building trust will be a goal in training camp. Fundamentals and techniques will be emphasized.
'They'll know what that's about — how we want to practice, what's allowed, what's not allowed,' Johnson said. 'I think, really, they're going to take that and run with it; our vets will.'
After that come all the plays and various situations, and Johnson will have plenty for his players to go through as the days become longer at Halas Hall.
'I'm pleased with the progress we've made over the last few weeks,' Johnson said. 'We've got a lot of work still to come, but we're right on track.'
With that in mind, here's our latest 53-man projection following Johnson's offseason program and training camp looming next month.
Fishbain: Both Bagent and Keenum will make the team, so the question to answer by the end of training camp is, who is Williams' backup? It's hard to count out Bagent, who has proved himself exceptionally well since being an undrafted player from a Division II school. Keenum's experience, though, is hard to match. Austin Reed figures to get a lot of preseason snaps ahead of a return to the practice squad.
Jahns: The competition between Bagent and Keenum will be worth tracking. Only one of them will be active on game days. But the most important 'competition' is Williams versus everything Johnson wants to do on offense. Johnson tweaked Williams' footwork. It's left foot forward now. He also challenged him to articulate plays faster and then get through his reads quicker. Johnson will tailor his playsheet to what Williams can handle. That will only come after some tough coaching in camp.
Every rep counts 💪 pic.twitter.com/UC7EyImwFV
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 6, 2025
Fishbain: Nick Chubb to Houston, JK Dobbins to Denver. The Bears never seemed keen on adding a veteran back. It doesn't mean it won't happen, but it's worth seeing how Swift looks in this offense behind an improved offensive line. Seventh-round picks tend to be on the roster bubble, but Monangai doesn't seem like a normal seventh-round pick. Homer's special-teams experience, along with Roschon Johnson's, is valuable.
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Jahns: There was a point during the offseason when another addition felt inevitable. But it never happened. Maybe it's because Monangai continued to impress everyone throughout the offseason program. Johnson commended the rookie for his attention to detail, which, coming from Johnson, means plenty considering the coach's obsession with the details.
Fishbain: After missing OTAs and minicamp, Burden will be one of the players we'll closely watch in training camp. He has tremendous potential after putting up big numbers at Missouri. He was a second-round pick for a reason, but how quickly can he earn the trust of Williams and the coaches to be the starting slot? Ideally, it'd be right away, but we haven't seen him on the field since rookie minicamp.
Jahns: Burden's injury surely slowed his progress. But the Bears never had to rush his development, either. He was a luxury pick with Moore and Odunze already on the roster. With Burden out, Zaccheaus and Duvernay made catches and plays throughout the spring. Both players looked like they could be contributors in Johnson's offense. Their experience will provide Burden with time to catch up if he needs it after his injury.
Fishbain: I'm old enough to remember the summer of 2018 when we talked about all the '12' personnel we'd see with Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen, or 2020 when it'd be the Kmet-Jimmy Graham show, or the excitement around Robert Tonyan's addition to the offense. Remember Gerald Everett? OK, enough from memory lane. Kmet is different, Loveland is different and the coach is different. It should be fun to watch how Johnson uses them in the offense.
Jahns: If Matt Eberflus were still the Bears' coach, maybe we're discussing the team having one more defensive back on the roster. But Johnson is in charge. He's calling the offense, and Wilson earned his attention and praise with his route-running during the offseason program. If Johnson — a former tight ends coach — wants another young tight end with potential, then so be it.
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Fishbain: This group has only four returning players from last season, a sign of the overhaul. The competition for the final offensive line spots will include Doug Kramer, a 2022 draft pick, Ryan Bates, whose 2024 was derailed by injuries, Ricky Stromberg, Chris Glaser and Jordan McFadden. Regardless of who OL8 or OL9 is, the top seven look a lot better than what the Bears have had in several years.
Jahns: It'll look even better if the Bears hit on Trapilo. His competition against Amegadjie and Jones still needs to play out in training camp. Their one-on-one drills with the pads on against Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo will be must watch in August. The joint practices with the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills will also intensify the competition.
Fishbain: The interior defensive line looks a lot deeper than the edge, especially if someone like Billings might be the No. 4. But that disparity won't matter if a few things go the Bears' way. Can Sweat get back to the form we saw when the team first acquired him in 2023? Can Odeyingbo live up to his contract and turn his pressures into sacks? Can Booker and Robinson use their athletic traits and thrive in a new system?
Jahns: The Odeyingbo and Turner additions do improve the depth and potential of the group. But the real improvements might come through defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme. What if Dexter fits it better? He's no longer in the three-technique defensive tackle role. Or what if this scheme is really what unlocks all of the potential the Bears saw in Robinson years ago when he was drafted? Johnson highlighted what Robinson did during the offseason program. Allen seems to have plenty to work with up front in his first year in charge of the Bears' defense.
Fishbain: It'll be the 2025 Day 3 pick versus the 2023 Day 3 pick for the starting 'Sam' linebacker job. Hyppolite, who was chosen by this coaching staff, should have an edge over Sewell, who has struggled to stay healthy. This is the third and final summer to say, 'Can Sewell put it all together in camp?' There's not a ton of depth here, but the lack of other additions says a lot about the team's confidence in the backups.
Jahns: Hyppolite's speed stood out especially during minicamp when Edwards was out with a soft-tissue injury. Hyppolite and Sewell should also be competing for spots on special teams, where Hyppolite's speed might give him the edge. But here's another storyline: Edmunds' place in Allen's scheme should also be watched. Edwards received his extension, while there's an affordable exit point built into Edmunds' deal for after this season.
Fishbain: Johnson's a Pro Bowler, Gordon has played like one, and Stevenson has flashed like one, though he'll be under scrutiny after a turbulent 2024. This could be the Bears' strongest position, and that'll be reflected at the back end of the depth chart in a battle for the final roster spots. Smith's durability has been an issue, but he's talented. Veterans Nick McCloud, Shaun Wade and Alex Cook could factor in the battle, especially if they're effective on special teams.
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Jahns: Nashon Wright needs to be mentioned, too. He played in place of Johnson during minicamp. Wright doesn't have much starting experience, but at 6-foot-4, he fits the physical profile the Bears now want in their secondary. He also played for Al Harris, the Bears' new defensive backs coach/defensive passing game coordinator, previously in Dallas. Can Wright force a tough decision upon the Bears?
Fishbain: It won't be a headline-grabbing roster battle, but Hicks — entering Year 4 — may have to fend off veteran Tarvarius Moore, along with undrafted rookies Tysheem Johnson and Major Burns, to stick. The focus of this position all summer will be on No. 9, Brisker. Fans will hear him often, and the Bears would love to see Brisker the playmaker stay on the field.
Jahns: Safety remains a position on the verge of change. Byard, Brisker, Owens and Hicks are all in the final years of their contracts. In an ideal world, Brisker makes it through the season without injury and is retained with a short-term extension. However, his health will be a storyline until the season ends.
Fishbain: It'd take a lot for undrafted rookie kicker Jonathan Kim to supplant Santos, but who wouldn't love a training camp kicker battle? Either way, the Bears wouldn't mind feeling comfortable with Kim on the practice squad, or at least on speed dial, as an emergency option.
Jahns: The Bears' kicking battery is a solid, reliable one. And it's one less thing for Johnson to worry about in his first year in charge of the Bears. Taylor should be better in his second season, too.
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