Three Chicago Bears Players That Could Be Surprise Cuts, And Two That Could Be Surprise Keeps
The Chicago Bears' preseason has come to an end. And now, it is time for one of the most hectic times in the NFL; it's time to cut the rosters down to 53 players. Many Bears players impressed in the preseason, but not everyone will get a highly coveted roster spot.
While many players have a roster spot locked up, many more don't, and on the roster bubble are a lot of unexpected names that could find themselves without a roster spot, while other guys could see themselves surprisingly making the roster when it is cut down to 53 players.
Surprise Cut: Rasheem Green, EDGE
Green signed a one-year deal with the Bears in free agency. Many expected Green to be a rotational piece in the defense, behind guys like Demarcus Walker and Trevis Gipson, at the time of signing (this was before the Ngakoue signing). When the preseason began, Green was still seen as a top rotational piece for the Bears behind Ngakoue, Walker, and Gipson.
But fortunes seem to be chaining for the 26-year-old. A very lackluster preseason and the emergence of players like Terrell Lewis, who recorded 3 sacks in the preseason, could push Green out of the roster.
While still talented and with the potential to be solid, Green has done little to earn a roster spot and has been getting beat out by other players for his job. This all could wind up in the 2023 signing being waived or released before he even plays a regular season game for the Bears.
Surprise Keep: Velus Jones Jr., Wide Receiver
To say Velus Jones Jr.'s rookie season was poor is an understatement. He came into the Bears already under scrutiny, as the thought-to-be over-drafted third-round pick was already 25 years old. Jones didn't help his case during the season, as he cost the Bears multiple games with critical fumbles on punt returns. Combine that with some brutal drops, and fans were calling for the release of the rookie.
Jones, again, failed to help his case in the preseason, as a fumble on a punt return that led to a turnover against the Titans seemed to be the final straw for many fans in Jones' short and disappointing tenure in Chicago.
It isn't all bad for Jones, though, as he showed flashes in the kick return game in 2022; he recorded a total of 607 kick return yards on 22 attempts. Jones Jr. also got 4 returns of over 40 yards, with a long of 63 yards. His kick return ability could be a factor in keeping him on the roster.
His speed is also a considerable part of his game and a reason for the Bears to keep him. Jones flashed this speed in 2022 with some big plays, most notably an impressive 42-yard TD run in the season finale against the Vikings.
Jones's blazing speed and ability to play receiver and run the ball could be a huge reason to keep him. This valuable versatility could translate into Jones Jr. being a great, or at least solid, gadget player for the Bears.
The injury of WR Dante Pettis also clears the path for Velus Jones Jr. to make the roster, to the shock of many, as the 5th or 6th receiver on the depth chart. It's hard to see general manager Ryan Poles letting a guy of Jones' skillset go after just one season. Yet, due to the criticisms from fans and struggles from Velus in his tenure, it will be seen as a surprise keep once the roster is cut down.
Surprise Cut: D'Onta Foreman, Running Back
Yes, as crazy as it sounds, D'Onta Foreman may shockingly be on the roster bubble. The 27-year-old, coming off of a 914-yard and 5 TD season, signed a one-year deal with the Bears in free agency with the expectations of being the Bears' RB2. This sentiment now has doubts, and the running back could find himself out of the roster entirely soon.
The possibility of Foreman losing out on a roster spot can almost entirely be accredited to the emergence of Roschon Johnson. The 2023 fourth-round pick has really impressed during the preseason with some nice runs, including a highlight reel run against the Titans where he broke multiple tackles.
The running back has been making his case for the Bears' RB2, and it seems he's been earning it.
If the Bears have two talented RBs in Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson splitting carries, there is little need for a third workhorse running back in the mix. And with Travis Homer's pass-blocking and pass-catching ability, it could be possible to see Foreman traded, waived, or released in the coming days.
This would be best for both parties, as the Bears will still have two very talented RBs and get off Foreman's deal. Foreman would likely find a job with another team that would give him a much more significant role where he doesn't need to split as many carries as in Chicago.
Surprise Keep: Michael Ojemudia, Cornerback
A player on the roster since late last season, Ojemudia has had few opportunities in Chicago. The former third-round pick by the Denver Broncos saw significant playing time in 2020, recording 62 tackles and 6 PBU's. The cornerback appeared in 2 games in 2021, recording 11 tackles and 2 PBU's, but missed the majority of the season due to a hamstring injury. A dislocated elbow in the 2022 preseason caused him to miss more time, leading to Ojemudia being waived.
Michael Ojemudia was later claimed off waivers by the Bears but saw little action, appearing in just one game.
Ojemudia had a good preseason but showed out the most in Saturday's preseason finale. The 25-year-old was all over the field against Buffalo, recording 4 total tackles, a 76.5 PFF grade, and an impressive 3 PBU.
Ojemudia makes an excellent case for a roster spot with his potential and preseason showings. Leaving the cornerback off the roster would be very tough, as Ojemudia would provide great and valuable depth in the defense. I believe that Ryan Poles will also see that and give Ojemudia a deserved roster spot.
Surprise Cut: Trevis Gipson, EDGE
Another edge rusher that could shockingly be released or waived, this time a more notable name and more polarizing debate.
The Chicago Bears drafted Trevis Gipson in the 5th round of the 2020 NFL draft. Gipson played very little in 2020, recording just 5 tackles on 71 snaps.
Gipson followed that up with a much better season. The second-year edge rusher recorded an impressive 7 sacks and 7 TFLs. His 2021 season seemed to have cemented Gipson as a future piece of the defense, and he was primed to break out in 2022 in his first season as a full-time starter.
Gipson fell way short of those expectations in 2022. In year 3, the edge rusher surprisingly regressed by notching just 3 sacks and 4 TFLs.
In his defense, though, Gipson had no help next to him on the front seven. After the trade of Robert Quinn, Gipson was thrust in as the top option in the pass rush. With no depth, he was placed alongside raw and inexperienced rookie Dominique Robinson as the second option.
This led to Gipson being the 5th most double-teamed edge rusher in the NFL in 2022, and unsurprisingly, his numbers took a huge dip.
Gipson was expected to be the top rotational edge rusher option in 2023 behind Yannick Ngakoue and Demarcus Walker. Fans were surprised, though, as Gipson was buried deep in the Bears' first unofficial depth chart, behind players like Rasheem Green, Dominique Robinson, Terrell Lewis, and D'Anthony Jones.
Fighting for his job, Gipson impressed in the preseason, consistently making great plays in the backfield and recorded 2 sacks and a forced fumble.
But another shocker came out in the middle of the preseason finale against the Bills. Reports stated that Trevis Gipson had requested a trade and wanted to join a defense with a more familiar 3-4 scheme.
Gipson is a talented edge rusher with potential, so seeing him want out is disappointing. The edge rusher depth will take a hit if he's dealt, but with the emergence of guys like Terrell Lewis, it wouldn't be a huge blow.
That being said, Gipson could yield a solid mid-round pick if traded. However, Gipson is headed into the final year of his contract, which could make teams hesitant to trade for him.
If Gipson is not traded, the 26-year-old may be surprisingly released or waived.
Will They Be Cut Or Kept By The Bears?
Will any of these guys end up released or kept by the Bears? It's hard to tell, with a ton of players needed to get released before Tuesday; it'll be fascinating to see who makes it and who doesn't. Regardless, we won't know if the players mentioned above will make the roster until it is announced.
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