3 Bears Rookies on Thin Ice After Their First Season

The Chicago Bears entered the 2023 NFL season with the 10th-youngest roster, clocking in at an average age of 25.7. While it's exciting to have a young roster brimming with potential, the lack of experience played a factor in the Bears going 7-10 and missing the playoffs for the 11th time since 2011.

While rookies like Roschon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, and Darnell Wright were bright spots throughout the season, other first-year players left much to be desired. If these struggling youngsters don't turn things around quickly and have a strong offseason, their 2024 roster spot could be in jeopardy.

Here are three Bears rookies who are on thin ice following their first season.

1. Tyler Scott, WR

The Bears owned the NFL's worst aerial attack in 2022, averaging a putrid 130.5 passing yards per game. Improving the passing game was a major point last season, resulting in the franchise using a fourth-round pick on Cincinnati wideout Tyler Scott.

There was good reason to be excited about Scott following a 2022 college season that saw him rack up career highs in receptions (54), receiving yards (899), and touchdowns (9). But much to Bears fans' dismay, the Akron, OH native couldn't replicate those results in the NFL.

Appearing in all 17 games with four starts, Scott tallied 17 receptions for 168 yards and 10 first downs without an interception. He wasn't exactly a reliable target for the Bears quarterbacks, highlighted by his two drops, 53.1% catch percentage, and 55.2 passer rating when targeted.

Scott is only 22 years old, so there's plenty of time for him to grow and improve. At the same time, he could find himself further down the depth charts if the Bears want a free-agent WR or incoming rookie to take his spot.