The Chicago Bears' 2026 season continues to draw closer with OTAs officially starting this week and giving starved fans much-needed updates. While the reps are hard to draw deep meaning from, it is an important step heading into the summer and into camp and the preseason. For fans, there is no shortage of potential stories, with the biggest draws being the competitions that emerge over the next few weeks.
Chicago has done an incredible job retooling its roster and bringing in pieces who are going to push for starting roles over the next few weeks of the summer. Leading us to look at four players, in particular, whose starting roles could very quickly be in jeopardy.
1. Kalif Raymond
The veteran receiver was reunited with Ben Johnson and appeared to have a clear path into the starting lineup after the departure of DJ Moore. This changed the moment the team opted to select rookie pass catcher Zavion Thomas. Already, there has been a lot of attention on the receiver's potential fit and the explosive ability he could bring to the Chicago offense.
Every rep is going to be put under the microscope by fans and pundits looking for a reason to believe Thomas is capable of taking the year one leap. This makes it clear that Raymond's starting role is far from safe with the rookie emerging as a clear threat and having the fanbase support due to be an unknown contributor while Raymond remains a proven commodity.
2. Garrett Bradbury
This has been one of the more well-covered upcoming roster battles with Bradbury being an accomplished veteran and coming off an AFC Championship with the New England Patriots. Still, there is no denying Bradbury is a short-term solution while rookie Logan Jones could offer Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams stability at the position for years to come. This is simply a question of how long Bradbury can manage to hold off the talented young lineman.
It makes sense to have Jones learn behind Bradbury for a time, but if the competition is close, it wouldn't be surprising to see the veteran jettisoned even after Chicago spent trade assets to land the center.
3. Darnell Wright
There is a reason why the Bears brought back Braxton Jones and opted to sign Mason Murphy in this year's rookie class. Chicago's offensive line remains a point of inconsistency and leaves the door open for Wright to lose his starting role or to be shuffled to another part of the line. It isn't an overstatement to point out that both tackle positions are being approached with an open mind, with neither current starter having a great deal of stability.
Protecting Williams is the focus, and the Bears don't care which name proves to be the most adept at accomplishing this task. This makes it clear that Wright's role is far from safe with the next weeks going a long way in determining the favorite.
4. Tyrique Stevenson
Stevenson's recent up-and-down performance has firmly left the door ajar for another corner to step in and take on a starting role. This makes fourth-round pick Malik Muhammad a piece to keep an eye on throughout OTAs and into camp. Coming from a respected Texas program, it is very much on the table that the mid-round pick finds a path to challenge Stevenson for a starting role.
Considering the veteran's frustrating inconsistencies, the Bears will be open to change, no matter the contract situation. This makes it clear that Stevenson is under a great deal of pressure and must find a way to hold off the rookie and put together a summer that reassures Chicago coaches that a turnaround is upcoming.
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