Ben Johnson has been adamant that there is no Chicago Bears depth chart. The team’s new coach has said that time and again whenever asked about roster evaluation. It started shortly after his hiring in January and continued through the 2025 NFL Draft last month.

“There is no depth chart right now,” Johnson said after the draft. “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.”

Johnson wants to heighten the level of competition this spring and summer. He believes that’ll get the best out of Bears talent during what will be an arduous stretch for all. That’s fair, considering there are new coaches, new schemes and heightened expectations.

But we probably can pencil in starters and backups right now and feel comfortable with what the Bears have. Probably could have before the draft, too, which left the Bears’ selections truly open to the best player available.

So, as a thought exercise, we drew up a Bears two-deep — not a true depth chart — with where we believe the roster stands entering the more intense portions of the offseason program, with some thoughts on each position.

OFFENSE

Wide receiver
DJ Moore – Tyler Scott
Quick take: Moore will play most every snap. And while Scott is listed behind him, the Bears could put Olamide Zaccheaus or draft pick Luther Burden here without issue.

Left tackle
Braxton Jones – Kiran Amegadjie
Quick take: It’s possible that Darnell Wright will end up on the left, but we won’t know that answer for a while. Amegadjie and draft pick Ozzy Trapilo will battle for the swing tackle gig as a reserve on the left and right.

Left guard
Joe Thuney – Bill Murray
Quick take: Thuney is an ironman, and Murray has played well when given the opportunity.

Center
Drew Dalman – Doug Kramer Jr./Luke Newman
Quick take: It might be odd to see Newman in this mix, but the Bears liked his performance there during the pre-draft process. He could end up a reserve at all three interior spots.

Right guard
Jonah Jackson – Ryan Bates
Quick take: GM Ryan Poles has faith in Bates, who is good when healthy. Though he’s also a possible cut if the Bears need some salary-cap space.

Right tackle
Darnell Wright – Ozzy Trapilo
Quick take: If Wright moves to the left, Trapilo will have a chance to start here.

Tight end
Cole Kmet/Colston Loveland – Durham Smythe
Quick take: Kmet and Loveland both should be considered first-team players, considering how much they’ll be used.

Quarterback
Caleb Williams – Tyson Bagent/Case Keenum
Quick take: There will be a battle for the primary backup job with Keenum in the mix. Our money is on Bagent, though.

Running back
D’Andre Swift – Roschon Johnson
Quick take: Still believe there will be a veteran addition here, though Johnson has potential to be far better than he was last season in a limited role.

Slot receiver
Luther Burden – Olamide Zaccheaus
Quick take: Burden is an explosive player who can move around. Zaccheaus is a savvy veteran who will find ways to contribute.

Wide receiver
Rome Odunze – Devin Duvernay
Quick take: As at the other receiver spot, Burden and Zaccheaus will enter the mix here.

DEFENSE

Defensive end
Montez Sweat – Austin Booker
Quick take: The Bears are bullish on Booker, whom they traded up to get last year.

Defensive tackle
Grady Jarrett – Andrew Billings
Quick take: Billings will be in the rotation on early downs, but this new defense doesn’t specifically have a nose tackle spot.

Defensive tackle
Gervon Dexter – Shemar Turner
Quick take: Dexter and Jarrett should pair well together, and Turner should help all across the line.

Defensive end
Dayo Odeyingbo – Dominque Robinson
Quick take: It’s fair to question if the Bears have enough depth off the edge.

Wide linebacker
T.J. Edwards – Ruben Hyppolite II
Quick take: Edwards is a three-down player, but rookie Hyppolite’s speed should be useful if he picks up the scheme well.

Middle linebacker
Tremaine Edmunds – Amen Ogbongbemiga
Quick take: Edmunds is another guy who never leaves the field. Ogbongbemiga could back up both spots or play strongside linebacker when that position is required.

Slot cornerback
Kyler Gordon – Josh Blackwell
Quick take: New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said Gordon will learn a second position. That means he’ll rarely leave the field.

Safety
Jaquan Brisker – Jonathan Owens
Quick take: It’s important to have someone like Owens in reserve, considering Brisker’s injury history.

Safety
Kevin Byard III – Elijah Hicks
Quick take: Same setup as last season, with Byard never leaving the field.

Cornerback
Jaylon Johnson – Zah Frazier
Quick take: It will be interesting to monitor Frazier’s development. The Bears love ballhawks.

Cornerback
Tyrique Stevenson – Terell Smith
Quick take: Stevenson and Smith were splitting time last year, and this might be as open a competition as there is for a starting spot. Gordon also could factor in here.

SPECIALISTS

Kicker
Cairo Santos

Punter
Tory Taylor

Long snapper
Scott Daly

Kick returner/punt returner
Devin Duvernay – Josh Blackwell

Quick take: The Bears have great options in the return game, including one of the best in Duvernay.