The Bears reported to Lake Forest, IL for training camp this week. Time for a look at the projected depth chart and some news and notes:

There is an awful lot riding on QB Justin Fields’ performance in this upcoming season. If he can take a Jalen Hurts-like leap forward in his third year, he could get a megadeal next offseason. If he falters, the Bears might use their two first-rounders in next year’s draft to trade up and select his successor. We all know Fields can run; now it’s time for him to show improvement throwing the football. In addition to having better footwork and accuracy, he needs to be able to read defenses, work through his progressions, and get the ball out on time more efficiently. He’s looked good through four camp practices, but the pads don’t come on until next week. Fields has talked recently about wanting to become the first Bear to throw for 4,000 yards in a single season. I don’t see it happening this year, but I think he should be able to eclipse 3,000 yards now that he has better weapons and an improved O-line.

Look up the word "logjam" in the dictionary and you’ll see a photo of the Bears’ tailback room. RB Khalil Herbert is the incumbent, but RB D’Onta Foreman and rookie RB Roschon Johnson could give him a run for his money. RB Travis Homer will be a special teamer and may see some action on third downs. RB Trestan Ebner says "hi" as well (though he’lllikely be saying "bye" once the season starts).

There are a few questions here, but there is one thing for certain: WR D.J. Moore is the real deal. He and Fields have hooked up for big plays seemingly every practice since the Bears traded for him, and I think those two are going to be quite the dynamic duo this season. WR Darnell Mooney has been able to practice since Day 1 of camp, but he’s been limited to individual drills and 7-on-7 work in his return from tightrope surgery to repair the broken left ankle he suffered last year. Coming off a 1,000-yard season in 2021, Mooney struggled last season, partly because of a new offense but also because of lingering pain from a left ankle injury he suffered in the 2020 regular season finale. Now that his ankle is fully healed, hopefully he can show what he’s really capable of.

No one seems to know what to expect from WR Chase Claypool. Former Steelers legend Hines Ward said in February that Claypool "needs to grow up a little bit." In May, Fields praised Claypool for his improvements in work ethic and attitude. Good, right? I was all set to predict a big year for him. Most news about him was positive until June, when Chicago sports radio host Marc Silverman reported that the Bears weren’t happy with Claypool’s lack of self-motivation, etc. When you add in the mystery injury that caused him to miss a few weeks in the spring and his mystifying one-day PUP stint last weekend, you have an enigma wrapped inside a riddle. He’slooked good in camp so far, but let’ssee if he can stay on the field.

Rookie WR Tyler Scott has impressed with his speed, hauling in a couple of long TDs in practice a couple days ago. Like any rookie receiver, he’s had some alignment issues, but OC Luke Getsy is very high on him. Scott might not make a huge fantasy impact this season, but he’sdefinitely one to watch for the future. Second-year WR Velus Jones Jr looks more comfortable now with a year under his belt, and he’s made some plays in camp as a receiver and a return man. If he can be a reliable, sure-handed return guy and an occasional gadget guy, I think the Bears will take that from him. Assuming that Jones makes the team, that probably leaves one more receiver spot for the likes of WR Equanimeous St. Brown and WR Dante Pettis. Pettis is currently on the non-football injury list, so advantage St. Brown at this point.

TE Cole Kmet has improved every year since the Bears drafted him three years ago, and GM Ryan Poles rewarded him earlier this week with a four-year, $50 million extension. His seven TDs last season (after none in 2021) were likely the main catalyst for the extension, but now Kmet will have competition from TE Robert Tonyan, who had 11 TDs three years ago and has hauled in a few in camp so far from Fields. The Bears having two legit tight ends is great in real life but makes things murky for fantasy.

When you look at this defense, the secondary looks great. S Eddie Jackson has fully recovered from his Lisfranc injury, and S Jaquan Brisker is coming off an impressive rookie campaign. CB Jaylon Johnson is looking for a new contract but has practiced every day, CB Kyler Gordon looks comfortable now that he can just focus on being a slot corner, and rookies CB Tyrique Stevenson and CB Terell Smith both have impressed. Second-rounder Stevenson was projected to start opposite Johnson after he was drafted, but fifth-rounder Smith has been splitting reps with him so far in camp.

The linebacking corps also looks solid. Free agent signings LB Tremaine Edmunds and LB T.J. Edwards have performed well and provided quality leadership. LB Jack Sanborn, now the projected starter on the strong side, is having a similar ramp-up period to Mooney after his own season-ending ankle injury last season. Rookie LB Noah Sewell could factor in as well.

If the Bears are going to even sniff the playoffs this season, it will largely depend on their ability to rush the passer. They were awful last season (Brisker led the team in sacks), and Poles still hasn’t signed a proven veteran pass rusher yet. Long-term solutions at edge likely won’t come until next year’s draft. In the trenches, the team will be relying an awful lot on two rookies, DT Gervon Dexter and DT Zacch Pickens.

PK Cairo Santos is still the kicker.

More to come next month!

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