One of the more uncomfortable days in the NFL is here. The deadline to trim rosters from the 90-man allowable limit during the preseason to a 53-man format for the regular season.
The Bears began their work early, cutting several players on Monday. And while there were not really many surprises, there were certainly some decisions that had to be difficult to make. First, let?s run through every player the Bears cut or waived at the deadline.
Bears Roster Cutdown Tracker: Every Move to Reach 53-Man Limit
Bears Release, Waive 22 Players at Cutdown Deadline
The Bears waived undrafted free agents: cornerbacks Leon Jones, Reddy Steward, and Ro Torrence, defensive linemen Dashaun Mallory and Jamree Kromah, linebacker Carl Jones Jr., offensive lineman Theo Benedet, quarterback Austin Reed, and tight end Brenden Bates.
They also waived veterans in linebacker Micah Baskerville, long snapper Cameron Lyons, offensive lineman Jake Curhan, and punter Corliss Waitman.
Those players join the nine ? D-linemen Michael Dwumfour and Jaylon Hutchings, linebackers Javin White and Paul Moala, O-linemen Ja?Tyre Carter and Jerome Carvin, receivers John Jackson and Peter LeBlanc, and safety Quindell Johnson ? waived on Monday.
Each player has to clear waivers before becoming a free agent and several ? namely 2023 Bears Carter and Johnson, as well as Reed and Jackson ? could be practice squad candidates.
The Bears also released nine vested veterans at the deadline.
They released CB Greg Stroman Jr., DL Byron Cowart, OL Aviante Collins, QB Brett Rypien, S Adrian Colbert and Tarvarius Moore, TE Steven Carlson, and WR Collin Johnson. Fullback Khari Blasingame was cut but he is expected back, per the Chicago Tribunes? Brad Biggs.
The Bears were active. But many familiar names were left off the final roster. That speaks to the level of talent the group has compared to two years ago.
The final roster breaks down like so:
Quarterback (2): Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent
Running Back (4): D’Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer
Wide Receiver (6): DeAndre Carter, DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Tyler Scott, Velus Jones Jr.
Tight Ends (3): Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, Marcedes Lewis
Offensive Linemen (10): Bill Murray, Braxton Jones, Coleman Shelton, Darnell Wright, Doug Kramer, Kiran Amegadjie, Matt Pryor, Nate Davis, Ryan Bates, Teven Jenkins
Defensive Tackles (4): Andrew Billings, Chris Williams, Gervon Dexter Sr., Zacch Pickens
Defensive Ends (6): Austin Booker, Daniel Hardy, Darrell Taylor, DeMarcus Walker, Dominique Robinson, Montez Sweat
Linebackers (5): Amen Ogbongbemiga, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, T.J. Edwards, Trumaine Edmunds
Cornerbacks (6): Jaylon Johnson, Jaylon Jones, Josh Blackwell, Kyler Gordon, Terell Smith, Tyrique Stevenson
Safety (4): Elijah Hicks, Jaquan Brisker, Jonathan Owens, Kevin Byard
K/P (2): Cairo Santos/Tory Taylor
LS (1): Pat Scales
Few Surprises Among Bears? Roster Cuts, Keepers
While many of the players the Bears cut did good things in training camp and the preseason, there were not any true surprises among those the Bears parted with.
Steward sat down with Clocker Sports and spoke about his confidence in making the final roster as what is inarguably the Bears? deepest position. He lost out to a numbers game with Kyler Gordon and former UDFA Josh Blackwell both ahead of him.
Carter, Carlson, Collins, Johnson, and Stroman all logged regular-season snaps for the Bears in 2023 and would seem like likely practice squad candidates.
2022 third-round pick Velus Jones Jr. and fifth-rounder Dominique Robinson made the cut.
The only players not to make the final roster that did in Clocker Sports? projection are Carter, Cowart, and Lyons, who was always expected to be a short-term fill-in. Lyons? dismissal does leave the Bears with a need as regular starter Pat Scales is heading to injured reserve.
Among the pleasant surprises (albeit still ones we projected) included pass rusher Daniel Hardy, who showed well during the preseason.
Trades for Chris Williams and Darrell Taylor certainly altered the Bears? math.
Projecting Bears’ 16-Man Practice Squad
With the 53-man roster set, the Bears will set their 16-man practice squad ahead of Wednesday?s scheduled practice.
With so many interesting names being let go, things could get crowded and remain difficult as to which players they should try to bring in and which to let go. Players on the practice squad can be signed to a rival team?s active roster at any time.
Passing on one player for another could leave the Bears without both in the end.
Baskerville, Carlson, Colbert, Collins, Collin Johnson, Quindell Johnson, and Stroman were all on the practice squad in 2023. They could be early favorites for spots in 2024.
Jackson and Reed could also be early candidates to join the practice squad due to their relationship with Caleb Williams. Reed has also grown close to No. 1 tight end Cole Kmet, as seen on HBO?s ?Hard Knocks.?
That is 10 players right there.
Steward had a really good preseason and has drawn positive reviews from the coaching staff. Keeping him would bring the count to 11 players.
Bates and both Carl and Leon Jones flashed during training camp and the preseason. The Bears kept a third quarterback on the roster. A fourth could be one too many which could be bad news for Rypien.
Our prediction is they fill at least one spot with someone cut from another roster.
Former Bears in Need of New Teams
Several former Bears players were victims of cutdown day. They now must find new homes with two weeks before the regular season opener.
Adrian Amos (Jacksonville Jaguars), Allen Robinson (New York Giants), Nathan Peterman (Las Vegas Raiders), PJ Walker, Seattle Seahawks, and Travis Bell (Cincinnati Bengals) were all released by their respective teams. Trevis Gipson was traded from the Jaguars to the Seahawks.
