Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson said OTAs and minicamp were about “learning and communication.”Late July and into August is when Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles start to figure out who’s going to be on the team for Week 1.“Camp is really where we’re earning a spot on the 53,” Johnson said last week. “We’ll carve out our roles. So those are a couple positions we’ll certainly have our eye on. And there will be several others where there are spots up for grabs.”Which positions will have the most competitive roster battles? Which recent draft picks enter camp on the bubble? Is there a Jahdae Walker on this year’s team who can make the 53 as an undrafted rookie?Based on what we observed in the spring, here’s our first crack at projecting the 53-man roster for a 2026 Bears team facing a lot of expectations.Chicago Bears building momentum as offseason program endsDan WiedererQuarterbacks (3)Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Case KeenumKevin Fishbain: You have to go back to the 2009-11 stretch when the Bears had Caleb Hanie backing up Jay Cutler (along with Todd Collins in 2010) to find the last time they had the same two QBs atop the depth chart for three consecutive seasons. This front office found something in Bagent, and Williams will get more league-wide attention heading into this season than maybe any QB in team history.Dan Wiederer: This is unusual to say in Chicago, but an argument can be made for this being the most well-rounded QBs room in the league. The process of measuring Williams’ Season 3 growth promises to be entertaining.Running backs (4)D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, Roschon Johnson, Salvon AhmedWiederer: Quietly, Swift totaled 1,386 yards from scrimmage with 10 touchdowns last season. The hard-charging Monangai is ascending and provides a useful complement.Fishbain: It’s Johnson’s contract season as he looks to fend off Ahmed, who was with Bears running backs coach Eric Studesville in Miami. Injuries have been an issue throughout Johnson’s career, but he’s valuable on special teams.Wide receivers (5)Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, Zavion Thomas, Jahdae WalkerFishbain: It wasn’t only the defense that saw upgrades in speed, as Raymond and Thomas make this a faster group. Walker, everyone’s favorite UDFA last season, will battle vets Maurice Alexander and Scotty Miller for that last spot — unless the Bears keep six receivers.Wiederer: Expected growth from Odunze and Burden could make the Bears’ passing attack ultra-dangerous. Internally, there’s plenty of trust that Ben Johnson can squeeze the most out of this crew.Much is expected of the Bears’ tight ends in 2026, led by second-year player Colston Loveland. (Michael Reaves / Getty Images)Tight ends (3)Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, Sam RoushWiederer: Loveland is an emerging star. Kmet is a selfless veteran leader. Roush offers versatility and upside. It’s an ideal setup for Johnson, who is confident this group can aid his chess skills as an offensive designer and play caller.Fishbain: Three quality tight ends taken in the first three rounds, all younger than 28, in an offense that wants to highlight them. Depending on Roush’s development, this could be one of the league’s better trios.Offensive line (9)Braxton Jones, Joe Thuney, Garrett Bradbury, Jonah Jackson, Darnell Wright, Theo Benedet, Logan Jones, Luke Newman, Kiran AmegadjieNote: Ozzy Trapilo is projected to begin the season on the PUP list.Fishbain: Kudos to the scouting and coaching staff for identifying Benedet, who is likely the top swing backup. How quickly can Jones compete with Bradbury for the starting center spot? Can Amegadjie stay healthy for camp, and if so, what role will he play?Wiederer: Even with significant questions about left tackle lingering, the quality depth of this line feels encouraging. Thuney, the NFL’s Protector of the Year last season, is as good as they come. Wright’s impact at right tackle should continue to be felt.Defensive line (10)Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter, Grady Jarrett, Austin Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, Shemar Turner, Daniel Hardy, Jordan van den BergWiederer: The outside world continues to shrug, concerned that the Bears haven’t given their defensive front the teeth it needs. The team needs to improve on its 2025 sacks total (35) for certain. A mission to become even more disruptive with pressures, hurries and pass deflections is critical, too.Fishbain: The depth on the interior should be better with the additions of Gallimore, Street and, if he can get ready quickly, van den Berg. The focus in the spring was the get-off. Johnson talked up Sweat’s 2025 season. Can the veteran end get to another Pro Bowl? Can Booker continue ascending? Will Odeyingbo bounce back? When will Turner be ready? More questions than answers here.Linebacker Devin Bush was an under-the-radar acquisition, but he could be a key player on the Bears defense this year. (Ken Blaze / Imagn Images)Linebackers (6)T.J. Edwards, Devin Bush, D’Marco Jackson, Jack Sanborn, Keyshaun Elliott, Noah SewellFishbain: The least-talked-about signing of free agency could be Bush, who replaces Tremaine Edmunds and looks to build off a career-best season. He’s the healthiest of the front-line players. Day 3 draft picks Sewell and Ruben Hyppolite will enter the summer on the roster bubble.Wiederer: Edwards is returning from a fractured fibula. Sewell is making his way back from a torn Achilles tendon. Elliott missed chunks of the offseason program with an undisclosed issue. Keeping this group near full strength will be a goal in 2026. Bush offers a speed upgrade.Cornerbacks (6)Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Josh Blackwell, Malik Muhammad, Jaylon JonesWiederer: Strong on paper, the Bears’ corner crop still has a lot to prove, including keeping their most talented playmakers available and playing at a high level. Johnson and Gordon, who both battled injury issues throughout 2025, have the potential to be stars if they can return to full strength.Fishbain: Remarkably, the Bears have had the same top three at corner for a fourth consecutive season now with Johnson, Gordon and Stevenson. But how often will they be on the field together? Muhammad has speed and the competitive mentality the Bears covet. If Terell Smith stays healthy, who can he push to make the roster? Blackwell and Jones are versatile mainstays who are critical on special teams.Safeties (4)Coby Bryant, Dillon Thieneman, Cam Lewis, Elijah HicksFishbain: The Bears have had some successful positional overhauls in the past — just see what the interior offensive line did last year. It’s rare to pair a first-round pick with the top prize of free agency. They also might have upgraded at No. 3 with Lewis, who did leave OTAs with an injury. He started for the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs last January. UDFA Skyler Thomas could be one to watch in camp.Wiederer: The Bears will miss the leadership and ball production of Kevin Byard, who departed for New England in free agency. But the speed, instincts and versatility that Bryant and Thieneman possess should bring a new edge to Dennis Allen’s defense.Special teams (3)K Cairo Santos, P Tory Taylor, LS Beau GardnerWiederer: Is the Week 1 long snapper already on the roster? Or may the Bears be forced to do some specialist shopping during the late stages of the summer? As trivial as it may seem, that competition is worth tracking throughout camp.Fishbain: If you don’t think I’ll be locked in on the long snapper battle, you haven’t followed my Bears coverage over the past decade and a half. The Bears cut rookie kicker Gabriel Plascencia. We’ll see if they bring in another leg for camp, but otherwise, the special teams focus will be on the long snappers and which players excel in coverage to make the roster.