4 Bears on Thin ice Following the NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft couldn't have gone better for the Chicago Bears. The cupboards are re-stocked following an impressive draft showing that saw the Bears add a handful of future roster mainstays, including quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze.

But just like any year, the addition of promising rookies isn't good news for everyone. Several Bears players underperformed last year and now must compete against the new faces if they want to hold on to a 53-man roster spot. If the veterans can't outperform the rookies this summer, their odds of staying in the Windy City will decline drastically.

With that in mind, here are four Bears who are on thin ice following the 2024 NFL Draft.

1. Dante Pettis, WR

There was a time when Dante Pettis' career looked promising. After being selected 44th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2018, the ex-Washington playmaker registered 27 receptions for 467 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie, leading many to believe that he could become a reliable No. 2 wideout one day.

Unfortunately, Pettis could never reach those heights again, resulting in his bouncing around the league throughout the last few years. He eventually landed in Chicago ahead of the 2022 campaign and even went on to tally 19 catches, 245 yards, and three touchdowns in 17 games while also operating as a punt returner.

Pettis never got a chance to build off that performance in 2023, though. He was released from the Bears (via injury settlement) back in September due to an undisclosed issue. While Chicago re-signed him to a one-year deal in March, it doesn't mean he's guaranteed to make the 53-man roster.

Pettis' outlook isn't that promising now that Odunze and Keenan Allen are joining DJ Moore in the WR room. The Bears also have Velus Jones Jr. and Tyler Scott, who are both top-140 picks in the last two years, meaning Pettis will likely be fighting for the WR6 spot if he's lucky.

Missing a year of football won't be easy to overcome — especially at this stage of Pettis' career. Unless looks completely rejuvenated once training camp opens, I doubt he'll be playing in Chicago this fall.