Ben Johnson’s first season in Chicago couldn’t have gone much better — a division title, a revived offense, and a fan base that finally believes again. But if the Bears are serious about staying atop the NFC North, the next few weeks will force some tough roster decisions that reveal exactly what kind of team the head coach wants to build. And for at least three players, the clock is ticking.
Training camp provides clarity. It also draws a line between who’s part of the long-term plan and who’s just filling a jersey. Based on Chicago’s depth chart and recent roster moves, here are three Bears whose spots are far from safe.
Roschon Johnson — Running Back
The Bears’ ground game was a strength in 2025, ranking third league-wide with 144.5 rushing yards per game. The combination of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai gave Chicago a reliable one-two punch, and behind them, the team has depth: Salvon Ahmed and Brittain Brown are both in the mix. That leaves Roschon Johnson, a former fan favorite, suddenly looking like the odd man out.
Johnson’s 2025 season was essentially lost — just seven games, two carries, and a trip to injured reserve. The year before, he scored six touchdowns and had shown real promise. But the NFL moves fast, and if he can’t make an impression during camp, it’s hard to see where he fits in an offense that already has its core backfield locked in.
Kiran Amegadjie — Offensive Tackle
Left tackle is suddenly a major concern for the Bears. Ozzy Trapilo, who looked like the long-term answer, suffered a ruptured patellar tendon and is questionable for the entire 2026 season. That opens the door for a competition between Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, and Jedrick Willis Jr. But one name conspicuously absent from that conversation is Kiran Amegadjie.
A third-round pick who the organization once believed in, Amegadjie missed all of 2025 with an elbow injury and was already behind on the depth chart before getting hurt. He’ll get a chance to compete, but the writing may be on the wall. The Bears have invested elsewhere, and Amegadjie hasn’t been able to stay healthy or make the leap when given opportunities.
James Lynch — Defensive Tackle
Chicago signed Lynch to a one-year deal in the offseason, meaning someone in the building sees potential. But the interior defensive line is crowded. Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter are entrenched starters, and behind them are Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, rookie Jordan van den Berg, and Shemar Turner returning from injury. That’s a lot of bodies for limited snaps.
Lynch has five years of NFL experience and played in 17 games for the Titans in 2025, but his Pro Football Focus grade of 53.0 placed him 87th out of 134 qualified defensive linemen. For a defense that needs to improve, mediocrity isn’t enough. Unless Lynch shows significant growth in camp, he could be one of the first cuts when the Bears trim the roster.
Ben Johnson has made it clear: this roster is still being built. These three players have a chance to prove they belong, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
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