The NFL’s roster deadline should be drama-free for the Bears as they cut to 53 players by 3 p.m. Tuesday.
The majority of the roster and the most important spots were settled before training camp even started.
“This is a different situation than we’ve been in,” general manager Ryan Poles said last month. “A lot of these position battles are going to be tight, and it gets harder and harder to create that 53-man roster just because there’s an influx of talent. It’s challenging, but it’s a good problem to have.”
One of the biggest names on the bubble is Velus Jones, whom Poles drafted as a wide receiver and returner in the third round in 2022. Although he’ll most likely survive the cut, Jones never caught on at receiver and has had issues keeping the ball secure on special teams. The Bears are trying to convert him to running back who can still be a factor as a kick returner.
At quarterback, they have rookie Caleb Williams starting and Tyson Bagent as his backup but must decide whether to keep Brett Rypien on the roster or cut him and then try to get him back as part of the practice squad. If Rypien is on the roster, he can be inactive on game days but still eligible as an emergency third quarterback.
The Bears already have chopped their roster from 90 to 78 over the last several days. They waived nine players Monday, including offensive lineman Ja’Tyre Carter, a 2022 seventh-round pick who played 13 games over the last two seasons, and undrafted rookie wide receiver John Jackson, who was Williams’ teammate at USC.
We’re monitoring the Bears’ moves before roster cuts are due at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
In a twist, Allen left the West to search for gold. Even stranger, he’ll try to find it with the Bears.