Youth, Hustle And Enthusiasm: Bears Head To Training Camp With High Expectations

By signing their last two draft picks, Gervon Dexter, Sr., and Tyrique Stevenson, the Bears ended the offseason on high notes. All players are under contract. Justin Fields had his best day of the Spring. The expected returns of Mooney, Sanborn, and Claypool from injuries when training camp opens next month suggests they should be 100% healthy.

With the roster exemption the team received for OL Roy Mbaeteka, the Bears have 91 players ready to hit the practice field when camp opens. At the time of writing, the camp schedule has not been released. Here is a quick look at the current roster:

Youth In Abundance

57 of the 91 players reporting to camp are 25 years old or younger.

24 players are rookies, and another eight have just one year of experience

Roster Breakdown

Barring any late roster moves by GM Ryan Poles, the roster:

Defensive Backs 17, Defensive Linemen 14, Linebackers 10, Offensive Linemen 17, Tight End 5, Quarterback 4, Runningback 5, Wide Receiver 12, Fullback 2, Kicker 2, Punter 2, Long Snapper 1

Will There Be A Gem Or Two In This Year’s UDFA Class?

No fewer than 15 Undrafted Free Agents will be able to earn a roster spot. Jack Sanborn was a huge surprise last year, going from an undrafted signee to starting LB. The list of this year’s UDFAs:

Tyson Bagent, QB, Sheperd; Micah Baskerville, LB, LSU; Robert Burns, FB, Connecticut; Macon CLark, DB, Tulane; Aron Cruickshank, WR, Rutgers; Jalen Harris, DL, Arizona; Bobby Haskins, OL, USC; Gabe Houy, OL, Pitt; D’Anthony Jones, DL, Houston; Josh Lugg, OL, Notre Dame; Lorenz Metz, OL, Cincinnati; Thyrick Pitts, WR, Delaware; Bralen Trahan, DB, Lousiana

Training camp will be held at Halas Hall beginning in July.

Preseason Schedule:

August 12th (Noon CDT) vs. Tennessee

August 19th (6:00 CDT) at Indianapolis

August 26rg (Noon CDT) vs. Buffalo