Bears Post-Draft 53-Man Roster Projection: Ben Johnson hopes Chicago added the final pieces needed to compete for a Super Bowl

Skinny: The Bears opted out of adding a running back to the room this offseason and will enter 2026 with the same two-back combo that was among the league’s best. After letting Travis Homer walk in FA, I expected to see another addition. Instead, I’m giving Brittain Brown the RB3 nod over Roschon Johnson.

Wide receiver (5)

In: Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, Jahdae Walker, Zavion Thomas*
Out: JP Richardson, Maurice Alexander, Squirrel White**

Skinny: This is a really strong WR room on paper, even after trading away DJ Moore. Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III will be studs while Kalif Raymond fills that veteran role. Zavion Thomas will be an exciting player with dangerous speed, both on offense and as a returner. And there’s no way I was leaving Jahdae Walker off the squad.

Tight end (3)

In: Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, Sam Roush*
Out: Nikola Kalinic, Hayden Large**, Stephen Carlson, Qadir Ismail

Skinny: This TE room is easily the best in football with a top offensive mind scheming these guys up. Cole Kmet is confirmed to be back in 2026 and could even see more H-back work along with attacking the middle. Colston Loveland will be a matchup nightmare inside and outside. Sam Roush will take over Durham Smythe’s role and offer a lot more athleticism. I really like this room a lot and can’t wait to see how Johnson deploys all of these weapons together.

Offensive tackle (5*)

In: Darnell Wright, Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills Jr., Theo Benedet, Kiran Amegadjie, Ozzy Trapilo (IR)
Out: Mason Murphy**

Skinny: Despite all of the rumors about adding a top left tackle prospect, the Bears walked out of the entire draft without an offensive tackle addition. That gives full faith in Braxton Jones and Jedrick Wills Jr. competing for the open position and allows Kiran Amegadjie to stick around, for the time being.

Interior offensive line (6)

In: Joe Thuney, Garrett Bradbury, Jonah Jackson, Logan Jones*, Luke Newman, Caden Barnett**
Out: Jordan McFadden, Kyle Hergel, , Jaren Kump**

Skinny: The interior had some unexpected changes following Drew Dalman’s retirement, however the Bears handled the situation very well by adding a veteran starter in Garrett Bradbury and a long-term player in the waiting in Logan Jones. I also made a tough choice here rolling with UDFA Caden Barnett over Jordan McFadden. That will be a good battle to watch between those two this summer and whoever doesn’t make it will likely get poached by another team.

Defensive end (5)

In: Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, Shemar Turner, Daniel Hardy
Out: Jamree Kromah

Skinny: Another position the Bears were heavily expected to address, but did not. The Bears will roll into 2026 with the same DE group and expecting much different results this time around. It’s worth noting that the staff liked what they were starting to see from Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner prior to their season-ending injuries and believe Austin Booker is blossoming into a high-level player.

Interior defensive line (5)

In: Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr., Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, Jordan van den Berg*
Out: James Lynch, Jeremiah Martin, Johnathan Garvin, Jayden Loving**

Skinny: Just like with DE, many expected a top rookie to join the room at the DT spot. Jordan van den Berg was the only addition with Chicago’s final draft pick and is a very exciting prospect to watch out for. Gervon Dexter Sr. is entering into the final year of his deal and the Bears will need to see improved play out of Grady Jarrett to justify keeping him around in 2027. Neville Gallimore is another underrated signing.

Linebacker (5*)

In: Devin Bush, T.J. Edwards, D’Marco Jackson, Jack Sanborn, Keyshaun Elliott*, Noah Sewell (IR)
Out: Ruben Hyppolite II, Dominique Hampton, Nephi Sewell

Skinny: Linebacker was easily the position with the most change since the 2025 season. Dennis Allen added three external players to the room and re-signed his guy in D’Marco Jackson. The Bears dealt with depth concerns at the position last season and Allen is making sure that won’t happen again while adding more speed to the second level. Keyshaun Elliott offers a lot of promise as a future starter for this unit.

Cornerback (6)

In: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Zah Frazier, Josh Blackwell, Malik Muhammad*
Out: Terell Smith, Jaylon Jones, Dontae Manning, Dallis Flowers, KC Eziomume**

Skinny: This room will be really solid saying Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon can each play a full healthy season. As for the outside cornerback spot, Tyrique Stevenson, Zah Frazier, and rookie Malik Muhammad should have a healthy battle. Terell Smith and Jaylon Jones will be fringe roster guys, I just couldn’t find a spot for them.

Safety (4)

In: Coby Bryant, Dillon Thieneman*, Cam Lewis, Elijah Hicks
Out: Gervarrius Owens, Skyler Thomas**

Skinny: The safety position got a makeover with three new players joining the top of room. Coby Bryant and Dillon Thieneman will be a deadly duo that DA can mix and match at either position to help disguise coverages.

Specialist (3)

In: Cairo Santos (K), Tory Taylor (P), Luke Elkin (LS)
Out: Gabriel Plascencia**(K), Beau Gardner** (LS)

Skinny: As bizarre of a draft Chicago had, I was fully expecting Ryan Poles to go off the rails and draft a kicker or something crazy. Instead, the Bears are set to bring back Cairo Santos and Tory Taylor with Taylor’s college long snapper Luke Elkin taking over the duties in 2026. Chicago did bring in a lefty kicker as a UDFA in Gabriel Plascencia along with the nation’s top long snapper in Beau Gardner, but I see the returning trio staying.