Winning a job in the NFL is the easy part. Anyone will tell you that keeping it is far more difficult. Most players are lucky to keep a roster spot for two or three years before a team decides to move on. The Chicago Bears have repeatedly proven this with their mass roster turnovers during the previous decade. As GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus continue to haul in more young talent, it has put several notable veterans on notice. This training camp may be the most consequential of their professional careers.
For the first time in years, starting jobs are mostly locked down. That means the heaviest competition will be for depth spots. Guys who normally would’ve been obvious choices to stay are now battling for privilege. Former Bears scouting director Greg Gabriel assessed the roster on Windy City Gridiron. From his vantage point, three notable names could be on the chopping block if they don’t put together a strong August. They all seem to have something in common, too.
Khalil Herbert
I feel the running back who has a fight on his hand to make the roster is fourth-year man Khalil Herbert. Yes, Herbert is a very productive player. When he is carrying the football, he may be the best pure runner the Bears have. His problem is not running with the ball but rather the other two skill sets that a running back has to possess, which are pass blocking and receiving…
…Larry Borom
For a fifth-round pick, Larry Borom has played very well for the Bears in his first three seasons. He has lined up at both left and right tackle and has started 23 games in his three seasons. As a rookie in 2021, he earned the job at camp, but the reality is he has limitations.
Though he has lined up on both sides, he is best on the right side and can struggle when he has to play left tackle…
…Ja’Tyre Carter
Because of injuries to Nate Davis, Carter Last year had to start two games and played in eight others. During the first half of the season, when he got his most playtime, he looked good. We could easily see his natural talent. But for some reason, Carter fell out of favor with the coaching staff. While he started some games and played often in others, by the end of the season, he wasn’t even dressing.
Thanks to its outside zone tendencies, Herbert was a great fit for Luke Getsy’s offense. However, new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron appears to prefer more inside zone. His running style isn’t conducive to that, and his lack of blocking or receiving prowess doesn’t help matters. Roschon Johnson is a far better fit alongside De’Andre Swift. Travis Homer is the one guy Herbert must beat, and he has significant value on special teams.
Borom has served as a reliable backup tackle for the past two years. His problem is the Bears only carry one backup each year. That means it’s a decision between him and rookie Kiran Amegadjie, their 3rd round pick. There is no way Chicago will cut him in favor of Borom. That means either they carry a fourth tackle, or he’s on his way out.
As for Carter, the additions of Ryan Bates, Coleman Shelton, and Matt Pryor really hurt his chances of staying on the Chicago Bears’ roster. Bates has the flexibility to play guard and center. Pryor can play guard and tackle. That is the type of flexibility Carter can’t offer. So he needs a strong month in camp, as do the other two.
