LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — With an improved roster and competition across the board, second-year general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears had some difficult decisions to make in cutting their roster from 90 players to the 53-man limit.
That process was completed Tuesday before the 3 p.m. CT deadline as the Bears set their initial active roster for the 2023 regular season. Included in the cuts by Poles and his brass were two of their own draft picks (defensive lineman Travis Bell and defensive back Kendall Williamson), backup quarterback PJ Walker and a once-coveted waiver claim in offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood.
Below is a look at Chicago's initial roster.
Note: The Bears have first priority on the waiver claim list and will likely make several claims prior to the 11 a.m. CT deadline Wednesday. Chicago made six waiver claims after roster cuts last September.
Quarterback (2): Justin Fields, Tyson Bagent
Cuts (2): PJ Walker, Nathan Peterman
Throughout the course of the preseason, it became apparent the Bears' plan for the backup quarterback position was changing. Walker, who signed a two-year deal in March, struggled considerably while Bagent, the undrafted rookie out of Division-II Shepherd University, ascended.
Poles made the difficult decision to part ways with Walker and pay out more than $2 million in guaranteed money before he ever could be part of an active roster with the Bears. In making the choice, Poles prioritized performance over politics as Bagent earned his roster spot while Walker played himself out of the mix.
Peterman could land back on the Bears' practice squad, though head coach Matt Eberflus indicated the team may look externally to seek an experienced veteran to add to the mix.
Running back (4): Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, D'Onta Foreman, Travis Homer
Cuts (1): Trestan Ebner
The Bears plan to use a backfield committee to open the season, but the rookie Johnson's emergence led to some wonder if Foreman was on the roster bubble. He'll be part of this mix at running back, which includes four players on the initial roster. Homer will likely play a role on special teams.
A sixth-round pick of the Bears in 2022, Ebner was waived following a preseason derailed by injury.
Fullback (1): Khari Blasingame
Cuts (1): Robert Burns
The undrafted rookie Burns was a strong performer in the preseason, but it wasn't enough to overtake the veteran Blasingame, who's back for a second season in Chicago.
Wide receiver (6): DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Tyler Scott, Equanimeous St. Brown, Velus Jones Jr.
Cuts (3): Nsimba Webster, Daurice Fountain, Isaiah Ford
Compared to 2022, the Bears have built a much stronger unit at wide receiver, with the dynamic Moore as the new top target for Fields. Claypool, who has been limited by an apparent hamstring injury, should be ready for the season opener on Sept. 10. In his second NFL season, Jones was on the roster bubble but has made the team initially.
Tight end (3): Cole Kmet, Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis
Cuts (2): Lachlan Pitts, Stephen Carlson
The addition of the 39-year-old Lewis at the start of training camp ended what appeared would be a competition for a roster spot at tight end. The Bears elected to keep three at this position, and each should play a role. Pitts and Carlson are each candidates to join the practice squad.
Offensive line (9): Braxton Jones, Cody Whitehair, Lucas Patrick, Nate Davis, Darnell Wright, Ja'Tyre Carter, Teven Jenkins, Larry Borom, Doug Kramer
Cuts (7): Aviante Collins, Logan Stenberg, Roy Mbaeteka, Kellen Diesch, Robert Haskins, Josh Lugg, Gabe Huoy (injury)
The makeup of the Bears' offensive line has been complicated by injuries. Jenkins won't be ready for the start of the regular season, so Whitehair has shifted from center to left guard in training camp – but could still start at center. Davis has missed much of training camp, and Wright went down with an ankle injury during practice, though they're both expected to be ready for the season opener.
Note: The Bears acquired offensive lineman Dan Feeney in a trade with the Dolphins on Monday evening. He'll be the 53rd addition to the roster upon passing a physical, which is expected late Tuesday.
Defensive line (9): Yannick Ngakoue, DeMarcus Walker, Justin Jones, Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter Sr., Zacch Pickens, Rasheem Green, Dominique Robinson, Terrell Lewis
Cuts (6): Trevis Gipson, Jalen Harris, Andrew Brown, Bravvion Roy, D'Anthony Jones, Travis Bell
The Bears like their defensive line depth, especially with a pair of promising rookies in Dexter and Pickens. The addition of Ngakoue, a proven pass rusher who signed during training camp, strengthens the entire unit. A seventh-round pick in April, Bell will likely land on the practice squad.
Linebacker (5): Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, Dylan Cole
Cuts (5): Davion Taylor, Mykal Walker, Micah Baskerville, Barrington Wade, DeMarquis Gates
There wasn't much drama at the linebacker position, with only special teams roles to fill. Edmunds and Edwards lead an improved group that will offer more hope for the defense as a whole.
Cornerback (6): Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith, Josh Blackwell, Jaylon Jones
Cuts (4): Michael Ojemudia, Greg Stroman Jr., Kindle Vildor, Macon Clark
Poles has overhauled most of the Bears' cornerback position — with the exception of Johnson, who's entering a contract year without a long-term deal in place. The rookie Stevenson and second-year nickelback Gordon are each set to start on this defense.
Safety (4): Eddie Jackson, Jaquan Brisker, Elijah Hicks, A.J. Thomas
Cuts (2): Kendall Williamson, Bralen Trahan
The Bears' depth at safety was tested during training camp as Jackson and Brisker were each sidelined by injuries. That allowed the team to get a better feel for Hicks and Thomas as the backups. Jackson and Brisker should be ready to go for the season opener.
Specialists (3): K Cairo Santos, P Trenton Gill, LS Patrick Scales
The Bears will have the same special teams battery for the second straight year. Santos was the only player with competition, though the Bears waived undrafted rookie kicker Andre Szmyt in early August.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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