LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears open the 2023 NFL season against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 10 at Soldier Field.
Quarterback Justin Fields enters a pivotal third season in Chicago with an injection of new talent around him. The Bears kickstarted free agency by landing wide receiver DJ Moore in a trade for the No. 1 overall pick and spent the bulk of their cap space on linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards along with guard Nate Davis. Chicago made several low-cost moves on offense by signing tight end Robert Tonyan and running back D'Onta Foreman before utilizing the No. 10 pick on right tackle Darnell Wright and a fourth-rounder on running back Roschon Johnson.
The Bears took a methodical approach to improve a roster that netted three wins in 2022 but have still yet to address their biggest remaining need at edge rusher.
Here's a 53-man roster projection ahead of training camp.
QUARTERBACK (2): Justin Fields, PJ Walker
The chemistry Fields built with Moore, his new No. 1 receiver, came on quickly in OTAs and minicamp and resulted in what should be an improved deep passing game. Chicago committed to Fields as its starter this offseason, but he still has a way to go to develop into an efficient passer, like improving on his time to throw and faster processing of his reads. The Bears signed Walker in free agency, which gives the offense a backup option whose skillset is more similar to Fields'.
RUNNING BACK (4): Khalil Herbert, D'Onta Foreman, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer
The biggest position battle at training camp will be in the Bears' backfield. Herbert and Foreman split reps with the first- and second-team units during the spring while Johnson continues to yield rave reviews inside Halas Hall. All three bring a variety of skill to a running back room that fortified its by-committee approach this offseason. Homer could provide value as a third-down back and special teamer.
FULLBACK (1): Khari Blasingame
The league's top rushing offense retains its lead blocker. Blasingame also played the fifth-most snaps on special teams in 2022.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): DJ Moore, Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney, Equanimeous St. Brown, Velus Jones Jr., Tyler Scott
The addition of Moore instantly upgraded the receiving corps in Chicago. Claypool and Mooney are expected to be back for training camp after missing the offseason program due to injuries. Beyond those three, the competition if wide open. The Bears will give Jones, a former third-round pick, every shot to prove he's worth a roster spot while St. Brown, whose blocking skills are highly valued, and rookie Scott round out the depth chart.
TIGHT END (3): Cole Kmet, Robert Tonyan, Jake Tonges
Kmet and Tonyan are both locks to make the roster and give Fields two options in the red zone. The competition for the No. 3 tight end spot could lead the Bears to sign a veteran during camp.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Cody Whitehair, Nate Davis, Darnell Wright, Lucas Patrick, Ja'Tyre Carter, Alex Leatherwood, Larry Borom
The Bears built continuity within their projected starting O-line early this year. Jones will once again protect Fields' blindside after playing every snap on offense as a rookie in 2022. Changes elsewhere shifted Jenkins over to left guard while Whitehair moved back to center, where he started from 2016-20. Wright took the reins at right tackle from the moment he arrived in Chicago, and Davis is Chicago's new right guard after four years in Tennessee.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): DeMarcus Walker, Justin Jones, Andrew Billings, Trevis Gipson, Dominique Robinson, Gervon Dexter Sr., Zacch Pickens, Rasheem Green, Travis Bell
The Bears built their defensive line from the inside out and hope for a solid rotation on the interior with rookies Dexter and Pickens competing with Jones, who is attempting to maintain his spot at the Bears' 3-technique, and Billings. Unless Chicago picks up a free agent before or during camp, it's slim pickings at edge rusher with a combined 4.5 sacks last season from Gipson and Robinson. Walker, who signed with the Bears during the first wave of free agency, can play multiple positions along the D-line, Chicago still needs help pressuring opposing QBs.
LINEBACKER (6): Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, Sterling Weatherford, Dylan Cole
Chicago chose to pay Edmunds and Edwards a little more combined than what it would have cost to keep Roquan Smith ($20 million per year) on the roster. Sanborn missed the offseason program while recovering from an ankle injury sustained in Week 15. In his absence, fifth-rounder Sewell took plenty of snaps at strongside linebacker and could challenge Sanborn for that position.
CORNERBACK (6): Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Terrell Smith, Kindle Vildor, Jaylon Jones
Stevenson quickly worked his way into first-team reps and is in line to start opposite Johnson with Gordon in the slot. Smith, a fifth-rounder, has the size, length and speed to fit in this defense. Vildor will provide quality depth on the final year of his rookie deal. It's possible the Bears only keep five corners, and the battle for the final spot likely comes down to special teams impact.
SAFETY (4): Eddie Jackson, Jaquan Brisker, Elijah Hicks, Kendall Williamson
Brisker is primed for a breakout year next to Jackson, but beyond that, the depth at safety is questionable. The departure of DeAndre Houston-Carson leaves a void on special teams and a proven option in various nickel and dime packages. Hicks has made strides in his second offseason while Williamson, a rookie, earns the final spot.
SPECIALISTS (3): Cairo Santos, Patrick Scales, Trenton Gill
Chicago kept its core of specialists intact this offseason after re-signing Scales on a one-year deal. Santos struggled on extra points (27 of 32) last season but went 21-of-23 on field goals. Unless those issues pop up in camp or he gets outperformed by rookie Andre Szmyt, Santos will remain the Bears' kicker in 2023.