It's unclear how the upcoming season is going to play out for the Chicago Bears. On one side, there is plenty to be excited about with the number of talented prospects on the team, while there are concerns they don't have the prowess to truly compete quite yet. The coaching staff will have to make some tough decisions as they'll be making some releases to generate the best possible team moving forward. For that reason, we look at three possible cut candidates on the Bears roster entering training camp.
The front office has done a great job in creating a foundational roster to build upon. However, Chicago might still be a year or two from being truly competitive. We won't know that until the 2022 NFL season kicks off, but at least the Bears have some talented prospects to root for. Regardless, the coaching staff will be making some roster cuts throughout training camp and things could get interesting.
There will be some instances where a rookie just outperforms a veteran and earns a spot on the final roster. That's especially true for the linebacker position. Additionally, the Bears have acquired a great group of running backs but one player could be the odd man out in the backfield. Lastly, Chicago hasn't done much to improve the wide receiver room this offseason and somebody's career outlook is losing momentum.
With that said, here are three possible cut candidates on the Bears roster as they enter training camp.
*Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Bears Roster Cut Candidates
Joe Thomas (LB)
The veteran linebacker was signed during free agency and many believed he'd be playing a backup role in the linebacker position. However, the Bears brought in rookie Jack Sanborn which doesn't bode well for Joe Thomas. For that reason, he must be considered a potential cut candidate for Chicago.
He's been in the league since 2015 and has been a decent backup option throughout most of his career. However, Thomas' time with the Bears may not last long, as Chicago may opt to give the rookie more opportunities. Especially considering this roster likely prefers the younger players right now in their rebuild.
Darrynton Evans
There were high hopes for Darrynton Evans when he was originally drafted. The Tennessee Titans were hopeful to have him play a backup role behind Derrick Henry, but injuries prevented the young running back from seeing the field much. Now, Evans finds himself fighting for a roster spot in Chicago and the Bears have plenty of talent for him to compete against.
David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert should be locks to make the final roster. For that reason, Darrynton Evans will be in competition with rookie Trestan Ebner, who was a solid option during his time in college. We'll see how it plays out, but the Bears may have to move on from Evans sooner than originally expected.
Chicago made a trade to improve the wide receiver position, however, N'Keal Harry isn't really an exciting option. After being a first-round pick for the New England Patriots, Harry failed to meet expectations and was routinely outplayed by his teammates. He gets a breath of fresh air playing for the Bears but s spot on the final roster is not a guarantee.
N'Keal Harry is in direct competition with 11 other wide receivers, as Darnell Mooney is the only safe option in Chicago right now. Based on how his career has gone, it's hard to imagine Harry makes a complete turnaround for the Bears. If that's the case, then he could be walking out of the door before the 2022 season begins.