The Bears hit their bye at the midpoint of the 2026 season, which makes it a natural checkpoint for the rookie class. Some first-year players have already carved out roles.
Others are still waiting for their chance. And a few are in position to matter more in the stretch run than they have so far.
Dillon Thieneman has been in the lineup from the start, and the bye should give him a chance to reset before the second half. The outlook around him is better now than it was early in the year, with the secondary expected to be improved and Jeffery Simmons anchoring the front. That combination should help Thieneman settle in and play better down the stretch.
Logan Jones has barely been used, logging only six snaps this season. Garrett Bradbury has handled the job early, but he has also run into a few issues. That could open the door for Jones to get a look after the bye week.
Sam Roush has had a rougher introduction. He has looked overwhelmed at times and has been mostly a disappointment so far.
Still, his role has grown over the last two weeks because of Cole Kmet’s injury. The break should be especially useful for Roush, since he is now being counted on to hold down the second tight end spot the rest of the way.
Zavion Thomas has also had a limited impact on offense. When he did get on the field, he picked up a bad penalty and was benched soon after.
He has contributed on special teams, and he is not in the Velus Jones tier of asset. Even so, the Bears need to find a way to get him more involved offensively before the season ends.
Malik Muhammad has been the standout of the group. He has started both outside and in the slot, and with Kyler Gordon back, he should settle into a starting outside role after the bye. Muhammad has been out since Week 7, but the injury does not appear to be long-term.
Keyshaun Elliott missed time in training camp because of injury, but he has still managed to make an impact on special teams.
Jordan van den Berg, a sixth-round pick, saw his snaps dip after Jeffery Simmons arrived. Kentavius Street is now out, but the Bears also got Shemar Turner back, and he will move inside at times. Even with that added depth, van den Berg could still pick up a few more snaps to finish the season.
In Other News...
Jeffery Simmons Revealed What Initially Bothered Him About Joining Bears
Jeffery Simmons did not hide that the move from Tennessee to Chicago took some getting used to after eight seasons with the Titans. The veteran defensive lineman said his first reaction to being traded to the Bears was frustration, even as he quickly came to appreciate the welcome he received from Chicago fans and the chance to join a team with strong leadership and plenty of talent.
Simmons also made it clear this is not just a short-term stop for him. After the Bears paid a steep price, sending two first-round picks to land him, he has already started thinking about the possibility of finishing his career in Chicago, a sign of how quickly the fit has grown on him. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Bye Week Put These Practice Squad Names In Focus
The Bears bye week has given the coaching staff a little extra time to sort through the practice squad, and there are a handful of names worth keeping on the radar as the team looks ahead to the 2026 season. Salvon Ahmed, Elijah Jones, Scotty Miller, Wesley Matthews III and tight end Ismail all sit in that familiar gray area between depth piece and next-man-up option, with their value tied as much to roster flexibility as to any one role.
Chicagos injury situation at several positions has only sharpened the focus on that group, because practice squad players can move from background pieces to real contributors quickly when the roster gets thin. For a team trying to stay prepared for whatever comes next, the bye week is less about rest than about figuring out which of those names are most ready if the Bears need help in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Bye Week Still Carries Huge Stakes In The NFC Race
The Bears may be off in Week 10, but the standings around them are anything but quiet. Chicago remains in the middle of a crowded NFC North chase while also keeping an eye on the conferences top seed, which means the bye week is less about resting and more about scoreboard watching. With Minnesota, Green Bay and Detroit all still shaping the division picture, the Bears have plenty riding on results they cant control.
There is also a broader playoff ripple to track beyond the division race, with games involving New England, Dallas and San Francisco carrying potential impact on Chicagos positioning. For a team sitting out this weekend, the stakes are still real, and every result around the league can push the Bears a little closer to, or a little farther from, the path they want in January. [Read more 🡒]