From defensive tackle to kick returner: 5 position battles to watch during Chicago Bears training camp.
With training camp on the horizon, that means some jobs on the Chicago Bears are up for grabs at Halas Hall.
While there won’t be as many as last season – some have won without even taking a camp snap like Caleb Williams – there are still a few that have to be decided ahead of a pivotal 2024 season in Chicago.
Here are five position battles to watch during training camp this summer, as the Bears aim to move from playoff hopeful to playoff contender.
Defensive Tackle
If you’ve heard it once, you’re going to keep hearing it.
The 3-technique defensive tackle position is the most important position in Matt Eberflus’ defense. That’s what plenty have said since Eberflus was hired in 2022.
This year, Gervon Dexter is expected to be the player that fits what the Bears are looking for. He had 2.5 sacks as a rookie and was good enough to let Justin Jones walk in free agency.
But, that improvement needs to be consistent.
Dexter is currently ahead of Byron Cowart, signed this offseason, and undrafted rookie Keith Randolph on the Bears’ depth chart on ESPN. Fellow second-year player Zacch Pickens is also looking for more playing time and could get it with solid performances in camp.
However, Dexter is a player the Bears need to perform at a high level if the defense wants to take the next step from a top-15 defense to a top-10 or better unit.
Defensive End
This needs to come with a disclaimer: this position battle is for the defensive end position opposite Montez Sweat.
Sweat is a key piece to the Bears’ defense. He led the team in sacks last season, even after arriving midway through the season via trade with the Washington Commanders.
Right now, DeMarcus Walker is slated as the starting defensive end opposite Sweat. That would make the most sense. However, that could ultimately change if the Bears decide to sign a free agent defense end before the season starts.
Chicago did that last offseason, adding Yannick Ngakoue before the start of the season. They could run that back, as Ngakoue is still a free agent and only played in 13 games before a broken ankle sidelined him before he could show what he could do opposite Sweat.
However, rookie Austin Booker could find a way to be effective in a rotational role, too. That could change who starts and who gets playing time.
Kick Returner
With the new kickoff return rules comes a new need.
Now, kickoff returners will be expected to get plenty of touches during a game as opposed to the last handful of seasons. That means returners have to be a mix of durable and explosive.
Durning mandatory minicamp, Velus Jones, Tyler Scott and Kahlil Herbert were seen returning kicks. With the Bears’ receiver room now loaded, that’s an opportunity for Jones or Scott to get playing time, especially if it means they’ll have a chance to solidify their roster spot.
Jones has struggled to be a consistent part of the offense since joining the Bears in 2022, especially considering how he struggled with ball security returning punts early in his career.
All of that has to be taken into consideration with a rule change that could impact field position as much as it does the scoreboard.
