Chicago Bears: 3 players with the most at stake as practice begins this week

The Chicago Bears veterans are set to conduct their first practices under new head coach Ben Johnson this week. The Bears will hold voluntary minicamp practices starting on Tuesday.

Johnson said after the draft that Chicago has no depth chart this spring. He wants to see heavy competition from the revamped roster during OTAs and training camp.

“The moment the players got back into the building, call it three weeks ago now, it was going to be a competitive environment,” Johnson said. “There is no depth chart right now. If you want to play, you’ve got to go earn it. If you want a role, you’ve got to go earn it. They know that. So we were very straightforward and honest with them when they came into the building.”

Following a spell of 15 wins in three seasons, everything should be on the table for the new coaching staff. Here are three players with the most to prove as practices start this week.

Chicago Bears players with the most to prove this week Tyler Scott

Remember when the national and local media called Scott the “steal” of the 2023 draft? The Bears selected Scott in the fourth round, but many draft analysts thought the Cincinnati standout could be drafted as high as the second round.

Scott has appeared in 28 games and started four in his first two seasons in Chicago. He’s caught a total of 18 passes for 168 yards. He’s scored no touchdowns.

The writing could be on the wall for Scott after the Bears selected the “steal” of the 2025 draft, Luther Burden III. The rookie from Missouri is expected to claim the WR3 job. The Bears signed Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency, and he has better experience than Scott. Devin Duvernay can return kicks and punts.

Noah Sewell

TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds are the top linebackers for new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Johnson said LB3 is up for grabs before Week 1.

The Bears selected Sewell in the fifth round of the 2023 draft. He’s appeared in 22 games and made no starts for Chicago. He’s made 13 tackles in the league, just seven of which were solo tackles. He did create one forced fumble.

Sewell played in five defense snaps in 2024 compared to 141 special teams snaps.

Chicago’s fourth-round pick in 2025, Ruben Hyppolite II, will likely take Sewell’s place. Sewell will have to outperform Amen Ogbongbemiga in the hopes of seeing Week 1 with the Bears. Given that Sewell has spent a significant time as a healthy scratch, that isn’t likely to happen.

Roschon Johnson

The Bears were considering multiple options at running back in the first two rounds. However, Chicago chose not to make an aggressive push for the likes of Ashton Jeanty or TreVeyon Henderson.

Chicago drafted Kyle Monangai in the seventh round. If running backs coach Eric Bieniemy gets Monangai up to speed quickly this spring, Johnson could be the odd man out in training camp, especially if the Bears wind up signing a veteran running back like J.K. Dobbins or Nick Chubb.

Johnson has rushed for 502 yards on a 4.7 yards per rush average in his first two seasons in the league. The 2024 fourth-round pick has scored eight rushing touchdowns.

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