The Chicago Bears will soon embark on their beginning of training camp, looking to build off their 11-win season in 2025, as head coach Ben Johnson enters his second year leading the team.
For the first time since 2018, the Bears, led by Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams, won the NFC North division and made it to the NFC divisional playoffs where they were eliminated by the Los Angeles Rams.
With training camp just around the corner, the good vibes and happy feelings over last season will officially be put to rest, and the focus on this year becomes crystal clear. Here at Bears Wire, we are taking a look at one offensive player at each position group to keep an eye on throughout camp to see the impact they could have and for some, if they can make the roster.
Quarterback: Tyson Bagent
Every year, in the unfortunate side of the NFL, injuries happen across the league and that usually could force teams to seek out replacements at the quarterback position. Tyson Bagent has established himself as the clear top backup behind Caleb Williams, but if a team loses their quarterback during training camp or preseason, it could be worth watching to see if a franchise would make a desperation trade to acquire Bagent, who has shown potential to be a starting caliber quarterback in the league.
Running back: Roschon Johnson
D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai hold the top spots at the running back position, and while it could be intriguing to see if the latter overtakes the former as the go-to option, there’s a real question mark around Roschon Johnson’s place on the depth chart. Johnson came into last season as a potential top backup behind Swift, but injuries, and the emergence of Monangai, put him behind both players at running back, a vital part of Ben Johnson’s offense. Johnson is in his final year of his rookie deal with the Bears, so he could be shopped around during preseason, or he could be a potential roster cut if he doesn’t hold his own.
Wide receiver: Zavion Thomas
There’s a lot of focus on what Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III will do as the top receivers in the room following the offseason trade of veteran DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, but they’re not alone. The Bears used a third-round pick in this year’s draft on speedster Zavion Thomas out of LSU, and he’s got the skillset to be a fun piece for Ben Johnson to use creatively in multiple positions, but could he offer more? Chicago also signed veteran Kalif Raymond, who can serve as a return specialist, as well as the WR3 on the depth chart. But Johnson’s creativity as a playcaller makes Thomas one of the most intriguing players of training camp.
Tight end: Sam Roush
Sam Roush is going to be a fun watch, no matter what he does. With Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet already established as the top tight ends, and the pass catchers at the position, so Roush may get his playing time by doing the dirty work. Upon his arrival in Chicago last season, Johnson set the standard as a head coach with his “no block, no rock” mentality, and Roush was praised coming into the draft for his blocking technique at the position. If the Bears are happy with their passing offense, Roush could play a pivotal role in the rushing attack, which would get the other third-round rookie of this year’s draft class on the field, similar to Thomas.
Offensive line: Garrett Bradbury
There is plenty of youth on the Bears roster, especially on the offensive side, and Johnson showed that whoever steps up to the plate will be the players who find the field, which calls into question the center position. After Drew Dalman’s sudden retirement this offseason, the Bears quickly moved to trade for veteran Garrett Bradbury, who is on a one-year deal, but then also brought in competition in second-round selection Logan Jones. The battle of the center position is one of the most intriguing position battles of the entire roster this summer, while there will be plenty of conversation about the left tackle position as well, Bradbury was placed on immediate notice with the selection of Jones. Dalman’s one year in Chicago was crucial to the offense’s success, so Bradbury’s veteran experience could give him the upper hand, or Jones could come in and set the tone as a rookie, elevating himself to the starting job.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 1 Bears player to watch at each position on offense in training camp
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
