What are the weaknesses of the Bears’ roster as training camp approaches?

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has worked overtime to improve the roster this offseason. Poles has especially succeeded in his attempt to reshape the offense by acquiring Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, D’Andre Swift, Keenan Allen, Gerald Everett, and others, as high-level contributors this summer. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Bears’ roster is perfect heading into training camp, however.

The Bears are striving for annual postseason contention. That’s the reality when you’ve experienced three consecutive losing seasons. With training camp approximately five weeks away, we’ve identified three areas of weakness on the Bears’ current 90-man roster.

INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE

The interior of the Bears’ defensive line is easily the most unproven area of their roster. Veteran Justin Jones led all Bears defensive tackles in sacks last season and capitalized on that productivity by signing a lucrative contract with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. Poles is placing his faith in a pair of sophomores he drafted last year, Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens, to replace Jones.

Both Dexter Sr. and Pickens were inconsistent as rookies in 2023. The former Florida and South Carolina standouts did show up to organized team activities (OTAS) looking bulkier and ready to take desirable steps forward. The fate of Chicago’s defensive line in 2024 may rely on their improvement.

EDGE DEPTH

Acquiring Montez Sweat was a game-changer, but the Bears require better production from the pass rushers opposite him. DeMarcus Walker produced just 3.5 sacks last season after signing a $7 million per year contract. Young players like Dominique Robinson and Austin Booker will be tasked with maximizing their opportunities.

The Bears didn’t draft, sign, or trade for a difference-making defensive end this offseason. Sweat will be responsible for carrying the Bears’ pass-rushing unit for a second consecutive campaign. Improvement is necessary as the Bears recorded a 31st-ranked 30 quarterback takedowns throughout the 2023 campaign.

INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE

I wouldn’t necessarily call the Bears’ interior offensive line a weakness, but it’s definitely a mystery and work-in-progress. Can Teven Jenkins capture continuity at left guard after playing less than 500 snaps there throughout 2023? Will Nate Davis meet the expectations of his three-year, $30 million contract?

And how will the competition at center develop throughout training camp? The Bears wisely moved on from both Lucas Patrick and Cody Whitehair earlier this summer. Poles replaced them by signing Coleman Shelton following his release from the Los Angeles Rams, and he also traded for Ryan Bates from the Buffalo Bills. Neither player is considered a slam-dunk center.