Breaking Down Bears 53-Man Roster: Offense |
Like the rest of the NFL, Chicago cut their roster down to the 53 players they will be carrying into week one this weekend. Over the next couple of days, we will look at who made that squad and discuss whether surprises or potential changes are moving forward. Today we will look at the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterbacks: Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles: This shouldn't come as a shock when you look at the quarterback situation in Chicago, but I am a little surprised not to see three quarterbacks on the roster. With COVID and everything associated with it, I thought Chicago would carry three quarterbacks as a safety net for uncertain circumstances. I am also a little surprised to see Trubisky named as the starter for week one over Foles. I am not saying Trubisky doesn't deserve, but given what the Bears gave up getting Foles and what they are taking on Financially in bringing him in, it felt like he was going to be the starter by default. Instead, Trubisky is the man, but let's see if that is the long-term answer. Running Backs: David Montgomery, Tarik Cohen, Ryan Nall, and Cordarrelle Patterson: This group could have looked drastically different had Montgomery been hurt worse than he was. Instead, the Bears dodged a major bullet and will proceed with this group going forward. With Montgomery out the first two weeks, look for Cohen to be the primary back with Patterson getting in on the action also. Chicago will undoubtedly need their running backs to pick up the slack this season if they want the passing game to reach the next level. Wide Receivers: Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, Ted Ginn Jr, Darnell Mooney, Riley Ridley, and Javon Wims: There are no surprises on this list as these are the six names that have been talked about all camp. The only question is, who plays the role of the No. 4 receiver on this team? With Robinson, Miller, and Ginn as the team's top three, the remaining three receivers will be battling it for that final spot on offense. I expect all of them to have their opportunities at some point, but right now, Wims appears to be the favorite to get the No. 4 spot with Riley a close second. Tight Ends: Jimmy Graham, Cole Kmet, Demetrius Harris, J.P. Holz, and Eric Saubert: To say the Bears tight end production was a joke last season would be putting it lightly. To improve on the tight end production, Chicago not only went out and signed Graham via Free Agency but drafted Kmet in the second round to give them a nice 1-2 combo. Add in Harris, Holz, and Saubert, and you have a crowded group. This position has been the most crowded all season as the Bears once had 12 tight ends. Although we have seen them trim it to five ahead of week one, that still seems like a lot to me. Name one team in the league that Carries more than three tight ends, let alone plays more than three in the game. Graham and Kmet will be the primary focus, but who is the team's number three. I don't get this many tight ends on the roster and will have to wait and see Matt Nagy's plan by carrying so many. Offensive Line: Alex Bars, Rashaad Coward, James Daniels, Arlington Hambright, Germain Ifedi, Charles Leno Jr, Bobby Massie, Jason Spriggs, Cody Whitehair: The Bears offensive line play was not up to par last season, but there was some confidence to take away from that. For starters, the starting five played together much of the season, so they will have some continuity this season. Secondly, the signing of Ifedi is one of the most underrated pickups this offseason, and he immediately adds depth and makes them stronger upfront. Ifedi was a starter for the Seahawks and played in a run-first system. The Bears are trying to become a run-first team, so having a guy like Ifedi to anchor a run-first squad would be an excellent option. Along with Ifedi, you have Whitehair, Daniels, Leno Jr, and Massie, who will be playing together once again, so expect much more continuity this season. Should those five gel the way the Bears expect them to, look for a more fluid and consistent offense that could finally take the defense off.
