The long wait from spring workouts through the dog days of summer always feels like it takes forever for football-starved fans. From May to late July, anticipation builds as the Chicago Bears prepare for training camp and preseason. Then suddenly, it’s gone in a flash—three preseason games in less than two weeks and now the real decisions loom. For a brand-new coaching staff, the challenge ahead is trimming a 91-man roster down to 53 players and an additional 16-man practice squad.
As Bears fans count down the final hours before the regular season officially begins, the biggest question is: Who makes the cut? Let’s dive into Aaron Leming’s final roster projection, breaking down each position group and what it means for the 2025 Chicago Bears.
Quarterbacks (3): Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum
There’s no surprise at the top—rookie franchise cornerstone Caleb Williams is QB1 and will carry the weight of this franchise moving forward. Ideally, he stays healthy and plays all 17 games, but Bears fans know all too well how rare that kind of durability has been in recent decades. Williams is actually the first quarterback since the mid-90s to start every regular-season game.
Behind him, Tyson Bagent offers developmental upside, while veteran Case Keenum provides stability and experience. With over $2 million guaranteed to Keenum this offseason, the front office made it clear he’s not going anywhere. It’s also hard to see this team risking roster depth at the game’s most important position, which explains the decision to keep three quarterbacks on the 53.
Practice Squad: Austin Reed
Running Backs (4): D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai, Travis Homer
Nationally, the Bears’ running back group might not strike fear into opponents, but head coach Ben Johnson is confident in this mix of speed, power, and versatility. Johnson reunites with D’Andre Swift, who he previously coached in Detroit, and the veteran will headline the backfield as the explosive playmaker.
The intrigue comes with the names behind him. Rookie Kyle Monangai turned heads in camp, showing patience and burst, while Roschon Johnson brings physicality but continues to fight availability concerns. Travis Homer makes the roster largely because of his value on special teams, an underrated factor for players filling out the back half of the roster.
Still, this group doesn’t feel set in stone. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Bears explore roster moves before Week 1 to bolster depth and durability.
Practice Squad: Ian Wheeler
Tight Ends (3): Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, Durham Smythe
This position group looks straightforward. While Joel Wilson had plenty of offseason buzz, his underwhelming preseason means he’s likely headed for the practice squad.
Instead, the Bears stick with Cole Kmet, rookie first-rounder Colston Loveland, and Durham Smythe. Kmet remains a steady, reliable presence, but Loveland is the future—a rare height/speed talent who could become a matchup nightmare for defenses. Expect a fairly even split of snaps between Kmet and Loveland early on as the rookie gets his footing, but it’s clear the organization drafted Loveland to be Williams’ long-term go-to at tight end. Smythe, meanwhile, will contribute in blocking packages and provide valuable depth.
The Bigger Picture
Every roster cut is a balancing act—blending star power with developmental players, and immediate contributors with long-term investments. With a fresh coaching staff in place, Chicago is in the middle of reshaping its identity, leaning on young talent like Williams and Loveland while relying on veterans like Keenum, Swift, and Kmet to provide stability.
The truth is, this roster will remain fluid in the weeks to come. Injuries, waiver wire pickups, and trade opportunities could reshape the depth chart quickly. But for now, Bears fans finally have their first real glimpse of the 2025 squad that will take the field in Week 1.
The wait is over regular season football is finally here.