The Bears’ preseason slate ended Saturday with a 21-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Quarterback Justin Fields was sharp, the offensive line was acquitted after the first drive, and roster bubble guys like Jack Sanborn and Dante Pettis tanked in a last-ditch effort to make 53 men. I emptied it.
The Bears have to cut their roster on Tuesday, which leaves them with some tough decisions to make.
This is a 53-man roster forecast before the cutback date, which was a more difficult task than I expected.
quarterback
Make a cut (2): Justin Fields, Trevor Simian
Fields shined in the preseason finale, showing why his skills and the Getzie system can blend perfectly. Simian is a capable veteran who can find a start even when injured.
run back
Create a cut (5): David Montgomery, Khalil Herbert, Trestan Ebner, FB Khari Blasingame, Darrynton Evans
Evans entered the preseason finale in the bubble, but I think his versatility and special team ability are reason enough to keep him. Although he hasn’t played since, his pass-catching ability and return acumen earned him a spot on the roster.
wide receiver
Cut (7): Darnell Mooney, Veras Jones Jr., Equanimus St. Brown, Byron Pringle, N’Keel Harry, Dante Pettis, Taje Sharpe
The Bears’ receiving staff has been devastated by injuries this offseason.
Pringle (quads), Harry (ankles), Sharp (hamstrings), Jones and Pettis all lost time at some point.
After the first game of the preseason, Sharp established a quick chemistry with Fields, so we thought he was the rock to make the roster. However, he failed to qualify for his contest in his last two preseasons and Pettis seemingly jumped him on the depth chart. No wonder Sharpe didn’t succeed.
The Bears stick to keeping seven receivers in the starting 53, but they look to waiver wire for additional help.
tight end
Create a cut (4): Cole Koumet, Ryan Griffin, James O’Shaughnessy, Chase Allen
Kmet could head into a breakout season with Getsy’s offense, and Griffin is a valuable run blocker.
Allen impressed in the second half of camp, and his contributions on Special Teams saw him placed as the 53rd man on the roster.
offensive line
Make a cut (9): Braxton Jones, Cody Whitehair, Lucas Patrick, Sam Mustiffer, Michael Scofield, Riley Leaf, Theven Jenkins, Larry Bolom, Jataiya Carter
This is hard.
I think Scofield is firmly on the bubble after a lackluster preseason performance. However, Patrick’s injury could force the Bears to retain an additional internal offensive his lineman until the center is officially back.
Jenkins may have secured a starting spot with another solid day at right guard in the preseason finale against the Browns. Borom fended off Riley Leif for the first right tackle job, but the Bears will keep the veteran because they need tackle depth.
line of defense
Create a cut (8): Robert Quinn, Justin Jones, Trevis Gipson, Al-Qadin Muhammad, Mario Edwards Jr., Kiirith Tonga, Angelo Blackson, Dominic Robinson
Edwards and Blackson suffered injuries during camp, but will have to make the cut as long as they are healthy by week one.
Trevon Coley and Micah Dew-Treadway did well, but with marginal results.
linebacker
Create a cut (5): Roquan Smith, Nicholas Morrow, Matt Adams, Joe Thomas, Jack Sanborn
This group has been stuck for quite some time.
An undrafted rookie from Wisconsin, Sanborn had a great preseason and has shown to be a valuable special teams contributor.
defense back
Cut (10): Jaron Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Eddie Jackson, Jakan Brisker, Kindle Wildor, Lamar Jackson, Thomas Graham Jr., Elijah Hicks, DeAndre Houston-Carson, Duke Shelley
Johnson, Gordon, Jackson, Brisker, and Vildor are rocks. Wilder starts in the outside corner opposite Jackson and Gordon takes the nickel.
Houston-Carson successfully filled in Brisker’s absence. His ability to play safety and high-value nickels makes him a valuable member of the secondary.
Jackson builds the roster as a depth piece on the outside corners. Graham backed up He Nickel He spot Tavon and defeated He Young.
Graham and Young have missed most of camp with injuries. But Graham’s youth and Young’s contract structure give the Oregon product a nod.
The last spot was a difficult one to choose. It ended up with Davonte Harris, Duke Shelley and Dane Cruickshank.
We chose Sherri because depth in the corners is a concern, but with their special team abilities, we wouldn’t be surprised if Harris or Cruikshank take the final spot.
specialist
make a cut (3): Cairo Santos, Trenton Gill, Patrick Scales
Set in stone.
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