(670 The Score) The Bears revealed their initial 53-man roster Tuesday evening.
While the Bears will churn through the waiver wire and could make a few more moves, they now have a clear look at their depth chart heading into their regular-season opener against the Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 12.
Here's how the Bears stack up at each position.
Quarterbacks (3) -- Andy Dalton, Justin Fields, Nick Foles
The expected scenario played out during the preseason -- the rookie Fields will be the Bears' backup behind the veteran starter Dalton.
Coach Matt Nagy stood by the plan that the Bears originally shared back on April 29, when they drafted Fields at No. 11 overall and maintained Dalton would be the starter. It would've taken an unexpected change of heart from Nagy or an injury to the 11th-year pro Dalton for Fields to land the starting job. For now, it remains unclear when Fields will first take the field as a starter.
Meanwhile, the veteran Foles remains in the awkward place as the Bears' third-string quarterback. The team worked with Foles on a potential trade, even allowing him to provide input on a landing spot. It never came to be, with the remaining two years and more than $17-million cap hit on his contract discouraging teams from trading for him.
Running backs (3) -- David Montgomery, Damien Williams, Khalil Herbert
PUP (1) -- Tarik Cohen
Will the Bears commit to the run this season? As always, that's a complicated matter. At the least, they boast quality depth at running back.
Montgomery enjoyed a breakthrough late last season once the offensive line was stabilized. The Bears hope he can sustain as a perennial 1,000-yard rusher. Williams should play the role of Cohen while the latter recovers from the ACL tear that he suffered late last September. The rookie Herbert has impressed during training camp.
Cohen will miss at least the first six weeks of the season after being placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list. His recovery has progressed slowly.
Wide receivers (5) -- Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney, Marquise Goodwin, Damiere Byrd, Rodney Adams
The Bears sought to upgrade their depth at receiver, and they believe they did so. Their hope is Goodwin and Byrd will provide the reliable veteran depth that Anthony Miller, Riley Ridley and Javon Wims couldn't in 2020.
Of course, this group is headlined by Robinson and Mooney, who should each see a significant number of targets. Also, give it up for Adams, the feel-good story of camp who made the 53-man roster.
Tight ends (5) -- Jimmy Graham, Cole Kmet, Jesse James, Jesper Horsted, J.P. Holtz
The Bears hope that improved speed and route-running from their receivers can create more openings for Graham and Kmet, who could see a lot of time together in 12 personnel.
The veteran James earned his roster spot with a strong training camp, while Horsted solidified his place with three touchdowns in the preseason finale Saturday.
Offensive line (10) -- Jason Peters, Cody Whitehair, Sam Mustipher, James Daniels, Germain Ifedi, Alex Bars, Elijah Wilkinson, Larry Borom, Lachavious Simmons, Teven Jenkins
Once the Bears shut down Jenkins for back surgery and signed the nine-time Pro Bowl tackle Peters, it was clear how their starting offensive line would take shape.
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The Bears seemed set on Whitehair (left guard), Mustipher (center), Daniels (right guard) and Ifedi (right tackle), merely waiting for that group to get healthy. Peters will look to bring stability at left tackle to fill the void of second-round pick Jenkins, who's expected to go on injured reserve to open the season.
Defensive line (5) -- Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols, Angelo Blackson, Khyris Tonga
Suspended (1) -- Mario Edwards Jr.
Goldman's return after he opted out of the 2020 season gives the Bears a stronger, better defensive line. He steps back into the nose tackle position, allowing Hicks, Nichols, Edwards and Blackson better opportunities to get into the backfield.
Outside linebacker (4) -- Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn, Trevis Gipson, Jeremiah Attaochu
If Quinn can regain his 2019 form alongside Mack, the Bears could be a dominant defense in 2021. The problem is it's unrealistic to expect the 31-year-old Quinn to be the disruptive presence he once was. It's why the Bears will be counting on the second-year linebacker Gipson and veteran Attaochu to play key roles in their edge rusher rotation.
Inside linebacker (7) -- Roquan Smith, Danny Trevathan, Alec Ogletree, Christian Jones, Josh Woods, Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Caleb Johnson
Going into the preseason finale Saturday, the 31-year-old Trevathan wasn't a lock to be on the Bears' roster. But he produced the kind of strong performance that reinforced confidence in him. Still, look for Ogletree to see plenty of playing time alongside Smith this season.
Cornerbacks (4) -- Jaylon Johnson, Kindle Vildor, Duke Shelley, Xavier Crawford
The Bears seem set with Johnson and Vildor as their starting cornerback tandem, and Shelley is penciled in for the nickel position. But with only four cornerbacks on the initial roster, the Bears will certainly be active on the waiver wire in searching for an addition at this position.
Safeties (4) -- Eddie Jackson, Tashaun Gipson, Deon Bush, DeAndre Houston-Carson
In Jackson and Gipson, the Bears have their starting safety tandem returning for a second season together. The Bears hope new defensive coordinator Sean Desai can help reveal the best of Jackson, who had zero interceptions last season.
Specialists (3) -- K Cairo Santos, P Pat O'Donnell, LS Patrick Scales
There were no surprises here, with the Bears returning their special teams battery. Kicker Brian Johnson, who was waived, deserves an opportunity elsewhere after an impressive training camp.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.