The Bears are expected to release their first depth chart for the season after practice Tuesday, which will be their 11th of training camp.
While it’s an unofficial depth chart and there is still more than a month before the Sept. 8 season opener against the Vikings, it will hopefully give some clues as to how coach Ben Johnson views his personnel. Of course, many teams hedge by listing multiple names in a first-string slot.
Here are some of the key mysteries:
• Who will be the starting left tackle? The Bears have been holding a three-way competition between rookie Ozzy Trapilo, veteran Braxton Jones and second-year player Kiran Amegadjie. Trapilo is a second-round pick chosen under coach Ben Johnson, while Jones is coming off a broken ankle. Amegadjie has been out with a leg injury.
• Who will be the starting wide receivers? DJ Moore and Rome Odunze are givens, but if there’s a third spot listed, as there usually is, will it be veteran Olamide Zaccheaus or rookie Luther Burden III? Based on Johnson’s comments Sunday, it’s likely to be Zaccheaus.
• Where will linebackers T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds be listed? It has been unclear which player will be the middle linebacker and who will play on the weak side, and Edwards said Sunday he doesn’t know his spot yet.
• Who will be the backup quarterback? Veteran Case Keenum has the edge in experience and knowledge, but Tyson Bagent has been a Bears success story.
Other than those battles, there are several other spots of intrigue that could be answered. It’s still very early — final cuts are due by Aug. 26 — but heading into a joint practice with the Dolphins on Friday and a preseason game against them Sunday, this is a chance for Johnson to let everyone know where they stand.
