Bears: Two Unexpected Preseason Roster Cuts to Watch Before Week 1
The Chicago Bears are determined to make a significant leap in the standings this season. After finishing last in the NFL with a 3-14 record, the Bears secured the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft.
Already having their quarterback of the present and future in Justin Fields, the Bears traded down in the draft and acquired elite receiver D.J. Moore from the Carolina Panthers. Moore is expected to be Fields' go-to playmaker, as evidenced by a 62-yard touchdown on a screen pass in the Bears' preseason game against the Tennessee Titans.
Moore has impressed throughout training camp, playing like a No. 1 receiver should. The challenge will be maintaining health over 17 games, building chemistry with Fields, and producing consistently. Moore caught 63 passes for 888 yards and 7 touchdowns last season with the Panthers. Before that, he had three consecutive seasons with 1,157 yards or more, proving he can handle Chicago's high expectations. Ultimately, his success may hinge on Fields' growth as a passer in his third season.
Fields must improve as a passer
Fields has already proven his athleticism, rushing for 1,143 yards and 8 touchdowns last year. However, he needs to show consistency on short- and medium-range passes, an area where he has struggled in his first two seasons.
While Fields and Moore are undoubtedly the Bears' most crucial offensive players heading into the 2023 season, turning the Bears into a winning team will require contributions from many others.
There are several players the Bears have high expectations for, and we've identified 2 who need to step up if they want to make the roster and prove their reliability. If they fail to do so, they could face cuts before the season begins.
Wide Receiver Chase Claypool
The Bears acquired Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2022 season, hoping he would bolster their lacking wide receiver corps.
However, Claypool didn't achieve much in his seven active games with the Bears following the trade. He only caught 14 passes for 140 yards and failed to score a touchdown.
While excuses can be made about his performance due to playing for a struggling team and adjusting to a new environment, Claypool's contribution in a Chicago uniform was limited.
The Bears' depth chart suggests that Claypool is expected to start opposite Moore, but that position is not guaranteed as the Bears prepare to face the Green Bay Packers on September 10th.
The Bears' coaching staff is eager to see some productivity from Claypool this summer, providing hope that he will be a reliable player for them in 2023. A hamstring injury has hampered him in training camp.
Return Specialist Velus Jones Jr.
The Bears drafted Velus Jones in the third round of the 2022 draft following his collegiate career at USC and Tennessee.
Although listed as a wide receiver, the Bears hope that Jones can use his explosive speed to become a consistent threat as a punt and kickoff returner.
However, Jones first needs to prove he can securely hold onto the football, an area where he struggled in 2022 and has had a rocky start this summer.
In the first preseason game against the Titans, a ball bounced off Jones, leading to a costly turnover recovered by the Titans.
At this stage, it seems head coach Matt Eberflus has little reason to trust Jones as a return specialist.
Unless Jones improves in the remainder of the preseason, it is likely he will be cut before the start of the season.
| POLL | ||
19 AOUT | 51 ANSWERS Bears: Two Unexpected Preseason Roster Cuts to Watch Before Week 1 Will Velus Jones Jr. make the roster? | ||
| Yes | 20 | 39.2 % |
| No | 31 | 60.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
