Windy City Gridiron
Which Chicago Bears players have the hardest road to make the team in 2025?
With training camp set to begin in earnest today for most teams around the league, including the Chicago Bears, let’s take a look at which players figure to be fighting harder than most for a roster spot on the 2025 iteration of The Beloved.
What Bates has going for him is his versatility (105 snaps at G last season but signed to play Center) and his contract (4 years, $17 million). What he has going against him is his durability (only available for 3 games last season) and his salary (4 years, $17 million). If he can stay healthy this training camp and hold his own, I like his chances to be one of the first IOLs off the bench. If he struggles in his play or health, I fully expect him to be looking for work come September.
Despite not bringing in as much competition at the RB spot as many fans wished for, Homer finds himself on the bubble entering 2025. While I fully expect him to fend off rookie Kyle Monangai on Special Teams, I think he loses touches to the rookie on offense and will be off the roster completely in 2026. But this season? Expect Travis Homer to beat out Hard Knocks darling, Ian Wheeler as RB4 thanks to his dependability in the third phase.
One consistent theme this off-season with new Head Coach Ben Johnson and the staff he and Bears GM Ryan Poles assembled is the speed and athleticism they brought in while jettisoning some players who lacked as much. From releasing DeMarcus Walker to opting against re-signing fan favorite Jack Sanborn, this Bears team will be faster and more athletic in 2025. Though a 4.64 forty at 246 pounds is nothing to scoff at, especially with the same bench press numbers as Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher, it is nowhere near the 4.39 that Bears 4th rounder, and likely Sewell replacement, Ruben Hyppolite II ran at his Pro Day. If Sewell can show up to camp in great shape and makes play after play each chance he gets, I could see him sticking. But just look at Terrell Lewis from a few years ago - even that doesn’t make you a lock.
When Ben Johnson was hired, many people, including myself, wondered who would fill the role of “speedster” on this offense, similar to what Jameson Williams did in Detroit. Tyler Scott was a name that came up often with his 4.44 forty and deep speed. And then Devin Duvernay (4.39) was signed, and Luther Burden III (4.41) was drafted. And just this week, DJ Chark (4.34) was brought in for a visit, which is notable considering he has experience with Ben Johnson in 2022. While it is quite possible that the former Cincinnati...
