Now that the Chicago Bears have set their initial 53-man roster, it is easier to pinpoint specific position battles that will play out before the team takes the field in Week 1. What are the biggest questions on the roster as things stand?
Chicago Bears Biggest Roster Questions
Who starts on the defensive line?
The Bears made a surprising move, trading Gervon Dexter to the Atlanta Falcons so close to the start of the season. He was projected to start, so there are plenty of questions about what the team will do without him.
Kentavius Street started across from Dexter in the preseason, indicating he is the next man up. However, they signed Neville Gallimore to more money in free agency. They are also excited about the ascension of Jordan van den Berg. All three will likely get some sort of share of the work. Who leads the group?
Can Zavion Thomas push Kaliff Raymond?
All preseason, Thomas was hurt, and Raymond was getting familiar with Caleb Williams. However, when Thomas returned in the preseason, he was electric. The Bears reached on him in the draft for that type of explosion. It would make sense to ease him in, but they will want to get him on the field.
Beyond that, Raymond won the return job on the field, but Thomas can bring more splash. How do they split the workload?
How does the edge rotation work?
The Bears are going to lean heavily on a three-man rotation between Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, and Dayo Odeyingbo. In most scenarios, it would likely play out that Sweat plays every day. Booker plays the pass rush downs, and Odeyingbo gets in for run downs.
Is that the split, or does one player take more of a starter role?
What is the plan with Ozzy Trapilo?
The Bears cut Kiran Amegadjie and Jedrick Wills, speaking to their trust in either Trapilo, Braxton Jones, or Theo Benedet. Benedet appears to be viewed as the swing tackle. So, do they expect Trapilo back soon? Or is he placed on IR or any other list at some point?
Do they stick with things in the secondary?
Right now, the plan is for Xavier Woods to start at safety. However, Elijah Hicks just came back, and Cam Lewis can also play there. Lewis was supposed to work in the slot, but the Bears also just added Clark Phillips. Do things change?
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