September is nearly upon us, and that means the NFL preseason has come to an end. For the Chicago Bears, they are now in a difficult predicament.
The roster stands at around 90 players. Soon, it will be trimmed down to 53. Some decisions are quick and easy. Others, not so much. This is due in large part to the Bears feeling a sense of loyalty due to contracts (unethical) and being unwilling to risk losing a very good young player (more understandable.
So, how does this team go through this process? The task starts with identifying which players are safe from being cut, and despite a poor record last season, the worst in the NFL, Chicago has enough players, thanks to the draft and free agency, that they know they can keep around and improve upon next season.
For the others that are on the verge of being let go, the question comes down to what have they done during the preseason and their time with the organization that makes them worth sticking around. Additionally, what if a better option comes around on the waiver wire? There's a lot to take into consideration.
Let's take a look at some players who did enough in the preseason to stick around and at one in particular who may be on his way out of town.
No. 1 player the Bears should keep on 53-man roster: DE Terrell Lewis
Granted, Terrell Lewis didn't blow up on the stat sheet against Buffalo like he did against Tennessee and Indianapolis. However, in his limited action, Lewis showed the same burst and quickness off the edge that should have defensive coaches in Chicago vouching for his employment within the organization.
Additionally, with the news coming down that fellow teammate Trevis Gipson is seeking a trade, it might be even more paramount that Chicago retains Lewis to help with their pass rush. The unit is already struggling as it is, but losing one if not two of their bright spots this preseason would be a severe blow to the unit.
The Bears have to be careful with whom they choose to let go, and losing Terrell Lewis would be an absolute mistake. If Gipson goes, some form of compensation has to return. But you can't lose both. Lewis has done enough to stick around, so keep him.
No. 2 player the Bears should keep on 53-man roster: S AJ Thomas
If you didn't know who AJ Thomas was before the Buffalo game, you certainly know it now. Considering the Bears have a deep core of bodies in the secondary, making the team part of that group is a tall task in and of itself. After the effort he showed against the Bills, Thomas has earned the right to stick around.
The way he flew around and was going after the ball, combined with how, despite the defensive unit struggled as a whole, Thomas was not afraid to keep coming. Though the Bills' offense kept having good strides and relatively had a great day against the Bears' secondary, Thomas kept coming.
Defensive coordinator Alan Williams has coached good cornerbacks and safeties before. He knows what a good one looks like. Thomas looked like one, and for that, he needs to stick around. If he is let go, it had better be for someone who produced equally if not greater than what Thomas has done this preseason. It's hard to find an exception.
No. 3 player the Bears should keep on 53-man roster: WR Nsimba Webster
The wide receiver core in Chicago is not as solid or set as many Bears would like to believe. With Dante Pettis now in IR and Velus Jones Jr. having a question mark over his head, the 5th and 6th wide receiver spots are now in limbo. Nsimba Webster took advantage of the opportunity and looked good with it.
Given how the waiver wire is expected to be in full swing, Chicago will likely look at the market and trade route for a wide receiver to fill up the roster, but Nsimba Webster shouldn't necessarily feel too worried because he did enough to at least make himself as part of the first five. Three catches for 37 yards against Buffalo is pretty good.
Webster may eventually be let go because general manager Ryan Poles is still looking for any way to make this team better. This is still a roster that has issues with depth in various eras and that includes the wide receiver room. There could be better options out on the market, and though Webster might make the initial 53, changes could be coming.
No. 1 player the Bears shouldn't keep on 53-man roster: C Lucas Patrick
Wait a second, with all the issues on the offensive line, why does Lucas Patrick get the axe? Injury issues and the lack of production at center play a key role. At the same time, there are better options out there on the market and in the waiver wire. Patrick can be easily replaceable, and the same cannot be said for other linemen.
Given how the offensive line as a whole has looked throughout this preseason and even through the offseason, with the number of injuries and lack of continuity, changes are absolutely necessary, and some players have to go. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy may feel a sense of loyalty to Patrick, but that doesn't mean it helps win football games.
Chicago will likely end up keeping Patrick because of a "lack of outside options," but the NFL is a revolving door. When changes can be made, they have to be made. Justin Fields only has this season to show whether ot not he is a franchise quarterback, and the offensive line play has to be on point, or else it's another failure.
