LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears open the 2026 NFL regular season at the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 13 at Bank of America Stadium. But first, they play one more preseason game Saturday at the Tennessee Titans and then must cut their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Who will make the team? Which positions have tough decisions on deck? And where might the lineup be deepest and thinnest this season?
The Bears entered training camp in search of a starting left tackle and had hoped to settle this position by now. Braxton Jones was the front-runner before missing more than a week because of injury while the Bears tried to see if Kiran Amegadjie or Jedrick Wills Jr. could offer consistency.
Entering the fourth week of camp, coach Ben Johnson delivered a plot twist ahead of practice No. 14. Jones and Theo Benedet will now battle it out at left tackle. Amegadjie and Wills have since moved over to right tackle with the backup offensive line units.
Here is our projection for the 53-man roster for the Bears.
Quarterbacks (3)
Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum
Williams' training camp experience is a night-and-day difference from his first under Johnson. The quarterback has taken control of what the Bears are trying to accomplish while stacking strong practices. The offense has consistently been the strongest unit on the field, which is a testament to Williams' command.
Running backs (3)
D'Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, Salvon Ahmed
Swift had arguably the best training camp of any offensive skill player. He and Monangai will continue to power a rushing attack that ranked third in 2025. Ahmed edges out former fourth-round pick Roschon Johnson for the role of RB3.
Wide receivers (6)
Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, Jahdae Walker, Zavion Thomas, Kaden Davis
Like Walker did last year, Davis has made a compelling case for a roster spot if the Bears opt to keep six wide receivers. He has routinely made big plays in practice and snags the final spot over veterans Scotty Miller and Maurice Alexander.
Tight ends (3)
Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, Sam Roush
The Bears play multiple tight ends more than most NFL teams. Loveland led the team in receiving as a rookie and looks like he's primed for a breakout season after a dominant showing in camp.
Offensive linemen (10)
Braxton Jones, Joe Thuney, Garrett Bradbury, Jonah Jackson, Darnell Wright, Ozzy Trapilo, Theo Benedet, Logan Jones, Luke Newman, Jordan McFadden
It took Trapilo seven months to get back on the field after rupturing a patella tendon, which is way ahead of where the Bears thought he would be before Week 1. He'll be on his own timeline to get up to speed, according to Johnson, but this news means a couple of things: Trapilo will account for a roster spot and not start the year on the physically unable to perform list. And when ready, the Bears get their left tackle back. Chicago can move interior lineman Caden Barnett, who received a sizable undrafted free agent contract, on the practice squad and part ways with Amegadjie and Wills.
Defensive linemen (10)
Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr., Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker, Daniel Hardy, Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, Jordan van den Berg, Marcus Davenport
Odeyingbo has had a solid camp eight months removed from rupturing an Achillies, and the Bears appear to have a plan for him at defensive end in their base structure before kicking him inside on passing downs. Booker is primed to take his next step in Dennis Allen's system, while Davenport, who played for the Bears' defensive coordinator in New Orleans, is inexpensive depth. Shemar Turner has missed all of training camp while recovering from an ACL tear. If the Bears believe Turner's return is not too far off, they can use one of two injured reserve spots at cut-down with a designation to return.
Linebackers (5)
T.J. Edwards, Devin Bush, D'Marco Jackson, Jack Sanborn, Ruben Hyppolite II
Rookie Keyshaun Elliott started camp on PUP and hasn't been seen since. It's possible he stays there when cuts are made, paving the way for Hyppolite to be the fifth linebacker. The former fourth-round pick has bounced back nicely in training camp after an underwhelming rookie season.
Cornerbacks (6)
Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Malik Muhammad, Josh Blackwell, Jaylon Jones, Dontae Manning
Given the lack of a timeline for Kyler Gordon's return from PUP, it's possible the Bears move him to reserve/PUP during cuts, where he must remain for the first four games. Muhammad has been the Bears' nickel in Gordon's absence. Manning snags the final spot over Beanie Bishop Jr., who will serve a suspension for the first three games, and Terell Smith, who continues to struggle to stay healthy.
Safeties (4)
Cam Lewis, Dillon Thieneman, Xavier Woods, Skyler Thomas
With a four-to-six-month window to return from a knee injury, Coby Bryant likely lands on injured reserve and is simultaneously designated to return the day the roster is cut down. Lewis will take over in the meantime opposite rookie first-rounder Thieneman. The information the Bears have on top backup safety Elijah Hicks, who is on PUP, will determine whether he is healthy enough to return before cut-down day and take the fourth spot or pave the way for that opening to go to Thomas.
Special teams (3)
Cairo Santos (K), Tory Taylor (P), Beau Gardner (LS)
The kicking battery was solidified Aug. 9 when the Bears waived Luke Elkin, ending the long-snapper battle after two weeks of camp.