Bears' Starting Jobs Still Unsettled as Cutdown Day Approaches
With roster cutdown day approaching on Aug. 30, Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson admitted that things aren't settled at two starting spots on the roster. Speaking to the media before Tuesday's practice, Johnson said that starting spots at left tackle and safety are still up for grabs.
Regarding left tackle, Johnson said the job "is still an ongoing spot," according to Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune. "I don't know that we are 100% sold on who that guy's going to be for Carolina yet (in Week 1)," Johnson added.
At safety, Dillon Thieneman's job is not in question, but the spot next to him is, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Cam Lewis Brings 'Chip on His Shoulder' to Safety Competition
Cam Lewis is competing for one of the Bears' starting safety spots in the final weeks of training camp, and he carries a mindset he's had since entering the NFL in 2019 as an undrafted free agent. Even if he makes the initial 53-man roster after Sunday's cutdown, Lewis knows the team could still bring in other players.
"That's how I always look at it, being in the NFL," Lewis said at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. "Your job is not, quote-unquote, secure. I've always had a chip on my shoulder. So I don't look at it as a big thing. I go out there, put my best foot forward and go compete my butt off, try to help my team win football games and the outcome is going to be the outcome."
Lewis unexpectedly finds himself in this role. General manager Ryan Poles revamped the safety room this offseason, signing top free agent Coby Bryant and drafting Dillon Thieneman in the first round, in addition to bringing in Lewis and re-signing Elijah Hicks. But the Bears lost Bryant to a knee injury that will keep him out four to six months — a timeline that would sideline him for at least most of the season.
Lewis shifted into Bryant's role after already working at slot cornerback, where starter Kyler Gordon is injured. He also missed some time himself after needing to be taken off the field on a cart because of an injury. Lewis has since returned and worked exclusively with the first team at safety opposite Thieneman at Tuesday's practice.
The team also added veteran Xavier Woods to the mix, and he intercepted a pass at the end of practice. Woods is likely the top competition for Lewis at the open safety spot. Skyler Thomas has also played well at times.
Johnson said the safety spot is one where the Bears hope to come to an agreement over the next three days on who should start in game one. Lewis praised Thieneman, who made a nice play during Tuesday's practice to break up a pass, calling him smart, playing fast, and very instinctive.
Left Tackle Battle: Jones Leads, But Competition Remains
The left tackle competition involves Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills, Theo Benedet, and Kiran Amegadjie, though it could become moot if Ozzy Trapilo is ready for Week 1. Jones has been the clear front-runner all offseason, getting the vast majority of snaps with the ones, but his candidacy might have taken a hit on Saturday night when he struggled over his two drives.
At Tuesday's practice, Jones took all of the first-team snaps at left tackle, while Wills earned all of the second-team snaps. Amegadjie worked in with the second team at right tackle. Benedet, despite some struggles, settled down as the game progressed and remains the favorite to be the swing tackle until Trapilo returns. Amegadjie and Wills are clearly behind those two and both are cut candidates with just days to go before the initial 53-man cuts.
Injury Updates and Other Practice Notes
Right tackle Darnell Wright left practice with an apparent right arm injury, and the Bears provided no update on his status. Wright has worn a right elbow brace since injuring it during Week 3 of last season, missed one game, and was named a second-team AP All-Pro. He signed a four-year, $116 million contract extension earlier this month. Theo Benedet stepped in at right tackle after Wright's injury.
Defensive lineman Gervon Dexter and defensive back Dontae Manning also left practice. Offensive lineman Austin Booker did not practice Tuesday, while cornerback Tyrique Stevenson practiced and took part in team drills. Terell Smith and Jaylon Jones returned to practice but did not participate in team drills, and quarterback Tyson Bagent returned after missing last week's practices and game.
The Bears activated safety Elijah Hicks and a rookie linebacker off the Physically Unable to Perform list. Hicks is on the PUP list with a shin issue but could factor into the starting job down the road. Johnson said Hicks would be back "sooner rather than later." The team also signed linebacker Antonio Grier and placed linebacker Nephi Sewell on injured reserve. Johnson said it is unknown at this point whether Shemar Turner (knee) and Noah Sewell (Achilles) will be on PUP.
During practice, Caleb Williams found Rome Odunze for a big gain and a touchdown, while D'Andre Swift dropped a pass but also ran for a touchdown. Jaylon Johnson brought the team together before a team drill, and Cole Kmet praised the moment as leading to one of the better practices of camp.
The Bears also released Nike "Rivalries" jerseys they will wear against the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day. The navy tops feature orange numbers outlined in white trim honoring 1948 uniforms, sleeves with three stripes from the 1930 jersey, "Monsters of the Midway" stitched inside the collar, orange pants, navy socks with orange stripes, and an orange helmet with the Bears' C logo in navy.