Starting July 25th, the Chicago Bears — under the watchful eye of Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace — will begin prepping for a second Super Bowl run. This time, they are aiming to get further than the WildCard round, and it all starts in training camp. During the heat of practice, some will look to prove their worth; others will vie an attempt to make the roster. However, three, in particular, are nearing potential cut status.
3. Marvin Hall – WR
As recently as the 2017 season, the Bears possessed one the NFL's weakest, and subsequently worst, depth charts at wide receiver. Now, you can't say the same. Via the past two drafts and free agency, the Bears' receiver room is more than formidable.
Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Miller, and rookie Riley Ridley make for a potential-laden group with speed and skills to boot. Cordarelle Patterson fills the chart out and brings special-teams proficiency. UDFA Emanuel Hall is a speed merchant that many thought of as high as a third-round pick. Javon Wims is a promising 2018 seventh-round pick and a potential practice squad stash.
Marvin Hall looks to be an odd-man-out amongst others. Though a free agency signing, Hall is expendable. Per Over The Cap, his $645 K contract contains zero guarantees. Formerly of the Atlanta Falcons, Hall played the role of a shifty kick returner. Unfortunately for the wide-out, Patterson is one of the NFL's best there.
2. John Franklin III – DB
By now, you have heard John Franklin's story. If you haven't, here's the short story: Franklin played quarterback at Florida State in 2013 and was a redshirt the whole year. He then transferred to East Mississippi C.C.; which coincidentally became the home to Netflix Docuseries Last Chance U. He became a star, on the show, as a backup turned handful-of -games standout.
Franklin, despite a lack of consistent starting status, transferred to Auburn — where he started one game at QB. In 2017, the War Eagles moved him to wide receiver. Then, he went onto FAU for one year.
After the 2018 draft, Franklin signed onto the Bears as an undrafted free agent on a tryout basis — where he'd play defensive back. The incendiary (reported [unofficial] 4.19-second 40-time) DB bounced between the practice squad and the waiver wire. He didn't play a snap for the season, as he's continuing to learn the position. Unfortunately, his Bears chapter may have ended in 2018. Chicago boasts one of the league's best defensive back groups with star power and depth alike.
1. A kicker
Let's not attempt to beat a dead horse here. We all know what happened in a particular playoff game, and the drama, roster moves, and memes that followed. Currently, the Bears have two kickers on the roster to attempt to shore up the position. Both Elliot Fry and Eddy Pineiro remain entrenched in the battle to win the position.
Each of the placekickers mentioned above hasn't yet attempted an NFL kick. One may make the roster, two won't, or none will. NFL teams will rarely trot out two kickers on an open day 53-man roster. Let's leave it at that.
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