The Chicago Bears have a big summer ahead as they ease into the 2026 regular season. They have more stability at important positions than they’ve ever had, but there are still going to be battles for spots up and down the roster.
Head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles have done a great job building the team, but they need to make sure that the 53-man roster gives them the best chance to improve on the success that they had in 2025.
The defense is going to have intrigue when it comes to who makes it on the line, while other depth position players will enter camp needing a great showing to make the team. These five players, in particular, are bubble guys who will make the team if they show out during camp and preseason, or be cut along the way if they aren’t good enough.
WR Scotty Miller
It is going to be difficult for Scotty Miller to make the Bears roster given their loaded receiver room, even with the departure of DJ Moore. Rome Odunze and Luther Burden are expected to be the go-to guys, but Kalif Raymond, Zavion Thomas and Jahdae Walker are all expected shoe ins for a roster spot. As a member of the true bubble heading into the season, Miller must have an impressive training camp and preseason if he wants any chance of making the football team. The practice squad is an option, but that’s not what he’s playing for at this time.
RB Roschon Johnson
The Bears have one of the best running back duos in the NFL with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, who led the third-best rushing attack in the league last season. But there’s one, possibly two, spots up for grabs in that room. Roschon Johnson hasn’t contributed much on offense in the last couple of years, but he’s proven to be a key special teams contributor. That’s likely his route to the 53-man roster in the final year of his rookie contract.
TE Stephen Carlson
The Bears are loaded with weapons, and that includes at the tight end position. Unless there is an injury, Ben Johnson will use Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, and Sam Roush in 12 and 13 personnel, which he has always preferred as a playcaller. The Roush selection leaves Carlson the odd man out, and it’s unlikely he makes the roster. Right now, with everyone healthy in front of him, it’s hard to say he’s anything other than a bubble player going in, regardless of how he performs in the preseason. If anything, he is playing for another team to notice him.
CB Jaylon Jones
The Bears are hoping that Jaylon Johnson is much healthier in 2026 so that they don’t have to use as many rotational pieces at the cornerback position. Jones, who signed with Chicago as an undrafted free agent in 2022, returned to the team last year amid injuries. The hope is Jones is on the bubble and ultimately doesn’t make the roster, because that would mean the Bears are healthier this time around. But he has a chance to make it due to Kyler Gordon’s injury concerns, but the Bears have strong depth in their overall defensive backfield.
DE Daniel Hardy
This is the most unlikely of the bunch, given Daniel Hardy’s special teams contributions. But the Bears have a lackluster pass rush, and they must improve on that if they want to take a step as an organization. As far as defensive end goes, Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, and Dayo Odeyingbo are expected to get a bulk of the playing time, and there is a chance that they still sign someone left on the free agent market or make a trade. While Hardy could very well be on the roster bubble, it’s likely his role as a core special teamer that will earn him a roster spot.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 Bears players on the roster bubble this summer
Reporting by Vincent Parise, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Vincent Parise, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
