LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Every NFL team seeks to create competition in training camp. For the Bears, there are position battles aplenty.
With the Bears' roster featuring few proven pieces, the competitions will go a long way toward deciding whom first-year general manager Ryan Poles covets as building blocks for a team in transition.
With about five weeks remaining before the regular-season opener, here's our first installment of the Bears' initial 53-man roster projection.
Note: Given the Bears are rebuilding and sit seventh in the NFL's waiver order, I anticipate there will be several players added through waivers as 53-man rosters are formed ahead of the Aug. 30 deadline.
Quarterback (2) -- Justin Fields, Trevor Siemian
There are no surprises here and no controversy this time around. Fields is established as the Bears' starting quarterback, while Siemian will serve as the backup. Nathan Peterman, the third quarterback on the 90-man roster, should be stashed on the practice squad.
Running back (4) -- David Montgomery, Khalil Herbert, Trestan Ebner, Darrynton Evans
It appears the Bears will split the workload in their backfield this season, with Montgomery leading the way and Herbert and Ebner contributing. The sixth-round rookie Ebner has made a strong enough impression in camp to earn a place on the roster.
Fullback (1) -- Khari Blasingame
A fullback? A fullback!
Wide receiver (7) -- Darnell Mooney, Equanimeous St. Brown, Byron Pringle, N'Keal Harry, Velus Jones Jr., David Moore, Nsimba Webster
Harry's injury status complicates this projection, as he could miss time to open the season after suffering a potentially serious ankle injury in practice Saturday.
Tight end (3) -- Cole Kmet, Ryan Griffin, James O'Shaughnessy
The Bears believe Kmet can emerge in his third NFL season. Griffin and O'Shaughnessy will provide depth and are blocking presences.
Offensive line (9) -- Braxton Jones (left tackle), Cody Whitehair (left guard), Lucas Patrick (center), Michael Schofield (right guard), Riley Reiff (right tackle), Larry Borom, Sam Mustipher, Shon Coleman, Ja'Tyre Carter
Whether it's due to a trade or a release, Teven Jenkins likely won't be on the Bears' active roster in Week 1. Rookies Doug Kramer and Zachary Thomas should land on the practice squad.
Defensive line (8) -- Robert Quinn, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Justin Jones, Trevis Gipson, Dominique Robinson, Mario Edwards Jr., Angelo Blackson, Khyiris Tonga
Muhammad and Jones represent the key additions by the Bears' new regime, while key starters like Quinn and Gipson will be rushing with their hands in the dirt in this 4-3 scheme.
Linebacker (5) -- Roquan Smith, Nick Morrow, Matt Adams, Joe Thomas, Caleb Johnson
At some point, Smith and the Bears will resolve his contract hold-in during training camp. As the regular season approaches, the urgency for each side will increase. It's just a matter of whether a long-term deal is reached soon or pushed off until later.
Cornerback (6) -- Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Kindle Vildor, Tavon Young, Thomas Graham, Greg Stroman Jr.
The Bears are confident in the rookie Gordon's place at the nickel position. They also seem to believe in Vildor, who struggled as a starter in 2021 but could fit better in the new coverage scheme.
Safety (5) -- Eddie Jackson, Jaquan Brisker, DeAndre Houston-Carson, Dane Cruikshank, Elijah Hicks
The Bears drafted Brisker with the hope that he could immediately step in as a starter at safety. Early on, he has shown that he can handle that.
Special teams (3) -- Cairo Santos, Trenton Gill, Patrick Scales
It's a bit odd seeing someone other than Pat O'Donnell punting for the Bears, but the rookie Gill is the man for the job. The Bears haven't created any special teams competition in camp.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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