3 Bears make CBS Sports’ list of NFL’s Top 100 players

Hold your breath, Bears fans. CBS columnist Pete Prisco has just unveiled his highly-anticipated annual column, ranking the top 100 players in the league. In this article, we’ll be delving into the 2024 rankings, but first, let’s do a quick recap of the 2023 list and see which Chicago Bears players made the list.

2023 Rankings

(78) Justin Fields

(93) Tremaine Edmunds

It wasn’t a surprise to see these two names on the list heading into the 2023 season, as the Bears were expected to improve from their previous three-win season, and Fields / Edmunds were arguably the best players on their sides of the ball (or so we thought). I don’t think anyone would be too shocked to learn that neither of those players made Prisco’s 2024 list. Let’s look at who from the Bears made the cut this year and who could have a chance at the 2025 list.

2024 Rankings

(34) Jaylon Johnson

Prisco writes:

He had his breakout season in 2023, which earned him a new contract from the team. He gives them a true No. 1 corner and will team with Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon to give them one of the best trios in the league. (Last season: NR)

(73) Montez Sweat

Prisco writes:

He had a career-best 12 1/2 sacks last season playing for the Commanders and Bears. He was traded midway through the season from Washington to Chicago and quickly established himself as the top edge player on the Chicago defense. (Last season: NR)

(84) DJ Moore

Prisco writes:

He had a career-best 96 catches in his first season with the Bears. But the best thing about him is his big-play ability that is evident by his 14.2 yards-per-catch average. (Last season: NR)

Priso also mentions Wide Receiver Keenan Allen in his Honorable Mention section.

Overall, I was not surprised to see those three names on the list, but I was surprised by the omission of linebacker TJ Edwards, who was PFF’s sixth-highest-ranked linebacker and leads what some experts believe is a top-five unit in the NFL.

2025 Predictions

From 2023 to 2024, the Bears expanded from two to three players on Prisco’s list. While I expect those three to stay on the list for 2025, here are a few names I think could be added.

TJ Edwards

The Bears tax is real. While a member of the Bears, Roquan was snubbed from the list in 2022 but came in at 76 in the 2023 rankings and then jumped all the way up to 40 for 2024. TJ Edwards had more tackles, fumbles recovered, and interceptions in 2023 than Roquan but failed to make the list. I am hopeful that another year in the Flus system will get Edwards the recognition he deserves.

Darnell Wright

The rookie was forced into action right away, and while things might have been a little bumpy at the start, he quickly found his footing and established himself as one of the best young tackles in the NFL. PFF had him graded as the 32nd-best tackle last year (INSert LInk), and he should take a massive leap heading into year 2. Wright allowed just three sacks in his final 12 games.

Caleb Williams

This will be an uphill climb for Caleb, but seeing that 15 quarterbacks made the top 100, Prisco puts a premium on the position. CJ Stroud, who had about as good a rookie campaign as we’ve seen, came in this year at 38. If Caleb can duplicate that, he should make this list comfortably. I believe he has a good shot of eclipsing some of those numbers, given that he has better talent around him to work with.

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