(670 The Score) When Bears general manager Ryan Pace first revealed his intention for a quarterback battle in late February, he deflected the conversation to competition across the roster -- over and over again.
"Look, our players know what's best for the team," Pace said at the NFL Combine. "And what's best for the team is creating competition everywhere. That's our goal.
"Throughout our team, that's what we want. Everybody's fighting for starting jobs. That's what we want to create."
With all due respect to the rest of the Bears' roster, all eyes will be on the quarterback competition as incumbent starter Mitchell Trubisky fights for his job against veteran Nick Foles in training camp.
But Pace had a point about competition across the depth chart. Coming off a disappointing 8-8 campaign in 2019, the Bears need to be better at more than just the quarterback position.
Here's a look at the top position battles that will play out in training camp.
Quarterback
Trubisky vs. Foles
The Bears are suddenly longing for the days when their biggest position competition was at kicker.
Because the situation they find themselves in at quarterback now isn't what Pace and the Bears envisioned when drafting Trubisky at No. 2 overall in 2017. Their quarterback competition is in the spotlight after the organization took a realistic look at what they have in Trubisky.
From top to bottom, the franchise has coddled him since he arrived to Halas Hall. Trubisky has entered his fourth NFL season and turns 26 on Aug. 20. Finally, the Bears decided to take the training wheels off and see if Trubisky can ride.
Foles, 31, is the ideal competitor for Trubisky. He's a former Super Bowl MVP and no stranger to a quarterback competition. Foles has a tested mental makeup that will help him this season, whether that's initially as the starter or backup. He also possesses a firm understanding of coach Matt Nagy's system and his offensive coaching staff.
The Bears are going to see whether Trubisky is good enough to remain their starting quarterback or if it's time to move on from him.
Prediction: Trubisky is the Week 1 starter
Trubisky has spent the offseason simmering since the Bears traded for Foles in March. He's eager to prove himself and healthy again after left shoulder surgery. Trubisky has also been working to develop chemistry with others on the offense. Trubisky will start Chicago's opener at Detroit on Sept. 13, but perhaps the bigger question is will he be able to keep the job all season?
Cornerback
Jaylon Johnson vs. Artie Burns vs. Kevin Toliver
The Bears selected Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson in the second round in April with the belief that he could be a plug-and-play starter. They're about to find out.
The rookie Johnson will participate in his first full-contact practice with the Bears next week, months after it would occur in a normal offseason. Nearly two full weeks into training camp, the Bears -- and every NFL team -- are still ramping up toward football activities. It presents a challenge to everybody involved but especially rookies.
Veteran Artie Burns -- a 2016 first-round pick whom the Bears added in free agency -- and third-year player Kevin Toliver are Johnson's competition, which doesn't feature an incumbent starter after Prince Amukamara was released in February. While Burns has the most games (58) under his belt, Johnson brings the Bears more upside. Toliver is the lone returning player in this battle.
Prediction: Johnson earns the job
The Bears have been impressed by Johnson's study habits during the classroom portion of their work. They recognize a player with a bright football IQ. They'll soon see a player who can hold his own in practice against a top target like Allen Robinson.
Safety
Tashaun Gipson vs. Deon Bush
Bears secondary coach Deshea Townsend strongly objected to the notion that jobs would be handed out in the defensive backfield.
That means veteran safety Tashaun Gipson must earn the starting job against fifth-year player Deon Bush.
The Bears signed Gipson in early May after his surprising release from the Texans. At the time, it seemed fairly clear that he would become the starter next to Eddie Jackson. Gipson, who turned 30 last week, is an eight-year NFL veteran with ample experience playing alongside ballhawks like Jackson.
Though Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano has rejected the idea of labeling safeties as strong and free, Gipson also offers the ideal complement alongside Jackson.
But the Bears still like Bush, a fourth-round pick in 2016 whom they have seen grow into a steady player. For as strongly as the Bears felt about Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in 2019, they were still compelled to create packages for Bush to step in alongside Jackson.
The Bears are eager to give Bush a fair chance at winning the job.
Prediction: It's Gipson's job to lose
Gipson is the right fit alongside Jackson, and he'll almost certainly be the starter this season. But the Bears must first see if he's still the same player now on the other side of 30. If he checks all the boxes and stays healthy, Gipson won't relinquish the starting job in 2020.
Receiver
Ted Ginn Jr. vs. Javon Wims vs. Riley Ridley
The signing of the 35-year-old Ted Ginn Jr. was notable. In Ginn, the Bears brought in a veteran presence to push their two young receiver prospects, Javon Wims and Riley Ridley.
Who will rise to the occasion?
Bears receivers coach Mike Furrey praised what the 13-year veteran Ginn will bring to the group. The Bears envision his presence demanding more out out Wims, 25, and Riley, 24, as they fight for a place on the depth chart.
They also are making plans for Cordarrelle Patterson to to play a larger role at receiver. Rookie receiver Darnell Mooney will also get an opportunity to compete at the position.
But the Bears really hope to see Wims or Ridley secure a key spot at receiver.
Prediction: Ridley proves himself
Ridley has the talent to be a starting NFL receiver. This will be the training camp he shows it as a much-improved player.
Tight end
The battle: Everybody!
Of the Bears' seven tight ends, do they have two players who can solidify the U and Y positions in Nagy's offense?
Rookie Cole Kmet should emerge as the starter at the Y role, though he's entering the NFL with limited experience at Notre Dame. He will compete against veteran Demetrius Harris, who was signed in February as a security blanket at the position.
The signing of 33-year-old Jimmy Graham certainly raised some eyebrows. A five-time Pro Bowler, Graham has appeared to be past his prime in recent years. The Bears believe he can fit their U position well, though it's worth wondering what he has left.
Jesper Horsted made strides during his rookie season. The all-time leading receiver in Princeton history, he emerged as a U tight end. Horsted deserves the chance to truly compete against Graham.
The Bears also have an interesting project in Darion Clark, a former college basketball player taking up football for the first time. He's 6-foot-7 and has the tools to play the U position. Eric Saubert and J.P. Holtz are also options.
Prediction: Kmet proves worthy at the Y, while Graham leaves questions at the U
Kmet's talent was clear Notre Dame. He'll turn out to be an excellent draft pick for Pace. But Graham is no longer a Pro Bowl player. Horsted deserves the chance to earn this job, even if his resume doesn't compare.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
