3 biggest needs on Chicago Bears roster as training camp approaches

The Chicago Bears did a solid job of filling several roster needs in free agency and the 2022 NFL Draft. General manager Ryan Poles bought in bulk, opting to sign unproven wide receivers and draft multiple day-three offensive linemen to build around quarterback Justin Fields. He used premium draft picks to upgrade the secondary and allocated most of his free-agent dollars to the defensive line.

But there’s still work to be done as the NFL offseason steamrolls toward training camp. Here are the most glaring needs remaining on the Bears roster.

Right guard

The Chicago Bears’ offensive line is almost set. And that’s assuming Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom are the starting offensive tackles. They’ll get the first chance to prove they can handle the massive responsibility, and without much depth behind them, they’ll likely have some room for growth.

Lucas Patrick (center) and Cody Whitehair (left guard) are locked in with the first team, leaving right guard the only position without a clear starter at this time. Sam Mustipher is a candidate for the gig, although his play at center in 2021 left much to be desired. Rookie sixth-round pick Zachary Thomas is a dark horse to win the job. He was a quality starter at right tackle for San Diego State but profiles as an interior lineman in the NFL. It’d be a boon for the Bears if a day-three pick could emerge as a first-teamer.

The Bears signed veteran Dakota Dozier as a swing lineman in free agency, but he isn’t a viable starter at this point in his career. There’s a chance Poles could back into a quality starter like what happened in 2016, when the Bears scooped up Josh Sitton after the Green Bay Packers released him at the end of training camp.

Wide receiver

Contrary to popular belief, the Bears do have talent at wide receiver. It’s just unproven talent. Is it possible that players like Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown break out with a bigger opportunity? Sure. But it’s risky to begin the season going all-in on upside.

The list of veteran free-agent receivers who have an established resume has thinned. Will Fuller? Emmanuel Sanders? Odell Beckham, Jr.? None of those guys move the needle, but if the Chicago Bears don’t see what they were hoping for from the players already on the roster, Poles won’t have much of a choice but to consider a veteran at some point.

Three-tech

Justin Jones is a fine player. He’ll be a decent starter for the Bears in 2022. Mario Edwards has upside, too. But Chicago prioritized the position in free agency when they attempted to sign Larry Ogunjobi, only to have the contract rescinded due to a failed physical.

Having a quality three-tech is a critical piece to Matt Eberflus’ defense. There are few options left to target in the final phase of free agency, but it’s a position Poles is sure to keep an eye on as training camp unfolds. The best-case scenario would be for the Bears to land Ogunjobi on a discounted one-year deal if he continues hanging around unsigned this summer.