The Chicago Bears’ final 53-man roster brought the kind of shakeup that always leaves a few names standing out. Most of the decisions were in line with what was expected, but this group is still packed with youth, rookies, and several undrafted players who forced their way into the conversation. That alone says plenty about how much this roster has changed from last year.
One of the clearest winners was Hayden Large. Ben Johnson’s preference for blocking tight ends showed up loud and clear here, and Large earned his spot with effort and the way he handled himself in the preseason. He was one of the biggest surprises on the roster, and now the question is how Chicago will actually use him.
Another surprise came on the defensive line, where James Lynch ended up as one of the cuts despite a strong camp and preseason. The expectation seems to be that he could still make it back onto the roster eventually, but for now he was squeezed out by numbers and the need to keep other players. Chicago will hope to get him back soon.
The Bears also made room for an undrafted rookie who beat out Lynch for a spot. Loving made a late push at the end of camp and turned enough heads to stick. Whether he stays on the roster all season or eventually moves on is something worth watching.
At cornerback, Kyler Gordon lands in the loser column because he remains on the PUP list with no timetable for his return. There’s no clearer answer coming anytime soon, which keeps the situation unsettled.
That uncertainty opens the door for Malik Muhammad, who looks positioned well for the future. With Gordon unavailable, Muhammad has a real chance to be the starting nickel for the 2026 season. He backed that up in the preseason, where he played well and showed he could handle the job.
The running back room delivered one of the biggest surprises of all. Salvon Ahmed did enough in the preseason to make people think he had locked down a roster spot, so his cut was a stunner. He could still land on the practice squad or catch on somewhere else, but Bears fans were clearly not thrilled to see him miss the cut over Roschon Johnson.
Johnson, for his part, went from being viewed as a cut candidate early in training camp to making the team as the RB3. There are still questions about his vision, but he showed enough in camp and preseason to earn another shot in Chicago.
Another undrafted rookie who turned heads was Thomas. He surged over the last two preseason games, highlighted by his interception against the Cincinnati Bengals, and his strong finish helped him make the roster. With injuries piling up at the position, he could even see playing time this season.
In Other News...
Bears Initial 53-Man Roster Sent A Clear Message About Ben Johnson
The Bears first 53-man roster of the Ben Johnson era offered an early snapshot of what the new coaching staff values, and it was not hard to read between the lines. Roschon Johnson earned the third running back job largely because of his special teams work, while the team chose to keep a fourth tight end instead of carrying a sixth receiver, another sign that versatility and role certainty carried real weight in the final decisions.
The cuts and keepers filled in the rest of the picture. Jedrick Wills and Kiran Amegadjie were both let go, Marcus Davenport was released, and Terell Smith was waived, while Jayden Loving made the roster and Elijah Hicks and Skyler Thomas both stuck. It was a reminder that this group is being built with specific jobs in mind, and the early roster math suggests Johnsons staff is willing to prioritize those jobs over more familiar names. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Defensive Line Shuffle Isn't Over Yet
The Bears defensive front is still taking shape after roster cutdowns, and James Lynch is back in the picture. Chicago re-signed the defensive tackle to its 53-man roster after initially letting him go, a move that gives the team another body inside as it keeps sorting through a group that blends rookies and veterans.
To clear a spot, undrafted rookie tight end Hayden Large is headed to injured reserve, opening the door for Lynchs return. For a Bears defense trying to settle its rotation, the move is another reminder that the line shuffle is not finished yet, especially with depth at defensive tackle still a live issue as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Still Have Obvious Holes After Cuts And Free Agency Could Matter
The Bears have their initial 53-man roster set, but the work is hardly finished. Even after the cuts are in, the picture still includes some obvious gaps, which is why attention is already shifting toward the 2026 free-agent class as a way to patch up spots that remain thin or unsettled.
Among the names floated as potential fits are Sam Williams, Taylor Decker, Tyrel Dodson, Trevon Diggs, Kenny Moore II and Stone, each tied to a different need the Bears could be trying to solve down the line. Nothing official is happening yet, and there have been no reported signings or negotiations, but the early look at possible targets shows just how much roster maintenance still lies ahead. [Read more 🡒]