The Bears head into training camp with plenty of momentum, but the roster still has some real sorting out to do before August ends. Both the offense and defense have issues that need answers, and four questions sit at the top of the list.
Two of them center on the offense, where Chicago is trying to see who can take the next step. The other two are on defense, where the Bears have jobs up for grabs and pressure building for key young players.
Luther Burden III is one of the biggest names to watch. Ben Johnson appears to be fully on board, and that alone sent the fan base into a frenzy after Burden’s showing at OTAs.
The second-year receiver finished last season with 652 yards and two touchdowns, and the offseason work suggested he made major progress. With DJ Moore gone, the Bears need Burden to keep that momentum going.
Caleb Williams is another major piece of the puzzle. The talent has already flashed, and last season gave Chicago plenty of reasons to believe in what’s coming next.
The question now is whether 2026 is the year he turns that promise into something bigger. If he can put together another strong season and sharpen his accuracy, the Bears could have a top-five quarterback on their hands for a long time.
On the defensive side, Tyrique Stevenson is fighting to hold onto a role that is no longer guaranteed. Five starters from the secondary are gone, and Stevenson is trying to reclaim the CB2 job that Nahshon Wright took from him last season.
Rookie fourth-round pick Malik Muhammad is there to push him, so nothing is being handed over. Stevenson has the ability, but the fan base has started to waver, which makes camp an important stretch for him.
Austin Booker is in a similar spot, only his battle is up front. He returned from injury midway through the 2025 season and still managed 4.5 sacks in 10 games, enough to keep the door open for a starting role in the NFL.
Booker filled in well when Dayo Odeyingbo was hurt, and now the two are set to compete for the starting job opposite Montez Sweat. If Booker makes the jump people are expecting in 2026, it would go a long way toward easing concerns about last year’s pass rush.
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This Hidden Bears Rookie Could Shake Up A Fragile WR Battle
The Bears receiver room still looks unsettled enough that every little skill set matters, and that is why Omari Kelly has started to draw attention. The Michigan State undrafted rookie is not the kind of name that usually jumps off a depth chart, but he brings a useful blend of punt return ability and slot work that could help him stand out in a crowded competition.
With Luther Burden III, Rome Odunze and Kalif Raymond already part of the conversation, Chicago is clearly sorting through options for the back end of the group. Kellys path is tied to versatility, since he can help on special teams and offer another layer on offense, which gives him a real chance to keep the Bears wideout battle interesting as camp unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Center Battle Could Decide More Than Caleb Williams Protection
The Bears center competition has become one of the more interesting camp battles on the roster, and it reaches well beyond who lines up between the guards. Garrett Bradbury arrived with plenty of NFL experience and a built-in familiarity with Joe Thuney from their NC State days, while rookie Logan Jones brings the kind of college rsum that suggests he is ready to handle the job right away. For an offense trying to settle around Caleb Williams, the choice at center could shape more than just protection calls.
Bradbury has the benefit of a head start in chemistry, and that matters on an offensive line where communication can be as important as raw talent. Jones, though, is not just a developmental option waiting his turn. The former Iowa standout has the experience and physical readiness to push this battle deep into camp, which is exactly why the Bears may have a harder decision here than they expected when the job opened up. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Face One Risky Veteran Debate Before Camp Opens
With camp still ahead, the Bears are being linked to the kind of veteran names that can change the tone of a roster even if they are no longer the centerpiece of it. Joey Bosa, Bobby Wagner, Tyreek Hill and Von Miller all came up as possible fits in a speculative look at how Chicago could add experience, with the idea being less about splash and more about finding the right mix of leadership, role clarity and short-term impact.
Wagner is the most interesting of the group from a schematic standpoint because the conversation around him is not just about whether he can still play, but how he might be used if Chicago ever decided to bring him in. Miller, meanwhile, fits the familiar veteran pass-rusher mold teams often weigh when they want help around a young core, and the Bears are at least being mentioned in that broader discussion even though nothing is confirmed and no decisions have been announced. [Read more 🡒]