2024 Chicago Bears 53-man roster projection - ESPN

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears open the 2024 regular season against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 8 at Soldier Field.

The offseason was filled with moves that transformed the Bears' offense, from trading Justin Fields and drafting quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick to becoming the first team in NFL history to add a player with 100 receptions (WR Keenan Allen) and one with 1,000 rushing yards (RB D'Andre Swift) from the previous season.

Chicago's defense was one of the best in the league during the second half of the 2023 season and added safety Kevin Byard III. The secondary led the Bears to finish last season tied for the league lead in interceptions with 22.

Though the Bears have only made the playoffs twice since 2011, Chicago is primed to move past the rebuilding phase and into the category of contenders in its third year under the direction of general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus.

«It's going to be hard to make this team now,» Poles said. «It's going to be really hard to make this team.»

Here is a 53-man roster projection as the Bears open training camp.

QUARTERBACKS (2): Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent

Williams was named QB1 before his first practice with the Bears at rookie minicamp. The No. 2 job belongs to Bagent, who showed last season he is capable of winning games as a backup. Brett Rypien likely will be a practice squad player. Chicago believes the support system around Williams — which includes offensive assistant Ryan Griffin, who spent 10 years as a backup QB to the likes of Drew Brees and Tom Brady — gives the rookie ample resources for growth.

RUNNING BACKS (4): D'Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer

Chicago doled out a three-year, $24 million contract