There are only a couple more weeks until the Chicago Bears hit the practice fields at Halas Hall for training camp, the final stretch of the offseason before the regular season gets underway. For players like quarterback Caleb Williams, wide receivers Rome Odunze and DJ Moore, and cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, it’s the final prep for a 17-game season.
For many others, however, it’s one final chance to earn a job. The bottom of NFL rosters turn over constantly, and the Bears will be no different this year under new head coach Ben Johnson. Several vested veterans are entering camp on the roster bubble, hoping to stand out enough to earn a position on the initial 53-man roster. Here are six players who are squarely on the bubble:
1. WR Tyler Scott
Two years ago, it seemed the Bears found a steal at wide receiver when they drafted Tyler Scott in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. His quickness and speed made him look like a potential deep threat in the making. That hasn’t materialized on the field, however, and entering his third training camp, Scott could be getting squeezed out.
The Bears signed a handful of speedy receivers, such as Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay, while adding veterans like Mile Boykin to compete for a roster spot. Add in the selection of Luther Burden III in the second round, and suddenly Scott looks to be on the outside looking in. Scott played just 20 offensive snaps last year, and if Johnson planned to rely on him this year, he wouldn’t have brought in all of these other receivers. At best, Scott is on the roster bubble. At worst, he’s already looking for his
2. OL Ryan Bates
Remember Ryan Bates? He’s still around, but the Bears may not have him in their plans for much longer. A year ago, Bates was competing for the starting center job after he was acquired via trade from the Buffalo Bills. Bates missed much of training camp with a shoulder injury that carried well into the regular season after he played in Week 1.
When he returned in Week 10, Bates started two games before a concussion forced him to miss the rest of the season. Instead of waiting for Bates to get healthy and see if he could be a starter once again, the Bears overhauled the interior of the offensive line. Bates is now a backup at best, and if he can’t stay healthy, he’s going to be one of the final roster cuts. It’s also important to note the Bears can save $3.5 million if he’s cut. If Bates’ shoulder injury still isn’t healed, it’s very possible the two sides agree to an injury settlement well before camp ends.
3. OL Doug Kramer
Going into last year’s training camp, Doug Kramer was someone who was on the roster bubble and stuck around. Can he do it two years in a row? Kramer made himself more valuable by playing multiple positions last season, though his effectiveness was questionable at times. If he can stay healthy, there’s a chance he makes the roster as a backup interior offensive lineman with the ability to play a pseudo fullback role. Especially if players like Bates aren’t available.
Kramer signed a one-year deal to return to the Bears in March, but only for just over $1 million. There’s a chance the offensive staff doesn’t have as much use for him as the previous regime, and he winds up getting cut in the end. We’ll see what plans the staff has in store for Kramer.
4. DT Zacch Pickens
The Bears did plenty of work on their defensive line this offseason, from signing Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo to drafting Shemar Turner. All of those additions, coupled with returning starters Gervon Dexter and Andrew Billings, give the Bears a sizeable upgrade at the position. So where does that leave former third-round pick Zacch Pickens? He’ll need to start making noise in camp to keep his roster spot.
It may sound crazy, but Pickens may be general manager Ryan Poles’ worst third-round pick yet. He has just 1.5 career sacks and two tackles for loss in two years. He’s on the smaller side and doesn’t have the speed to make up for his lack of size as a three-technique. He’ll have to fight tooth and nail to stick around this new defensive line group.
5. DE Dominique Robinson
Another frequent member of the roster bubble club, Dominique Robinson just keeps hanging around the team. The 2022 fifth-round pick still hasn’t done much of anything since his stellar debut almost three years ago. Yet Johnson singled Robinson out for having a great mini camp last month and could be earning the trust of the coaching staff.
He has an uphill battle to make the final roster, though. Robinson’s playing time has decreased every season since he was drafted. Robinson appeared in just six games in 2024, notching seven total tackles. He hasn’t made much of an impact since his pro debut in 2022, yet he keeps hanging around. We’ll see what defensive coordinator Dennis Allen thinks of him, but Robinson is on borrowed time with the Bears.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 Bears players on the roster bubble going into training camp
Reporting by Brendan Sugrue, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
