The Bears’ Roschon Johnson knows how to be patient — at Texas, he played behind all-world running back Bijan Robinson. But he admits that he grew frustrated last season when, as a result of injury, ineffectiveness, he carried the ball exactly twice.
It’s been refreshing, then, for the special teams contributor to be the Bears’ starting running back in each of their two preseason games, totaling 12 carries.
“I can be a back that you can plug in and be productive with …” he said. “I have my own skillset …. I think I’m a powerful runner … that gets those hidden yards.”
Coach Ben Johnson has singled out starting left tackle and free safety as the two position battles still up in the air. There are other jobs, like Roschon Johnson’s, that will be decided before the team has to cut its roster to 53 players Sunday.
Here’s where they stand:
OFFENSE (25 keepers)
Quarterback (3 out of 4 kept)
They’re on the team: Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum
Work to do: Miller Moss
What’s left to answer: Whether the Bears will carry Moss, a former Williams teammate at USC, on their practice squad.
Number to know: 158.3 — Keenum’s passer rating in the preseason opener
Running back (4/5)
They’re on the team: D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, Roschon Johnson, Salvon Ahmed
Work to do: Brittan Brown
What’s left to answer: Whether the Bears can justify keeping four running backs. It likely depends on whether they believe that Monangai’s knee will heal in time for Week 1. Ahmed has been thrilling with the ball in his hand, while Johnson is the better special teamer.
Number to know: 0 — Snaps played this preseason by Swift, with whom the Bears have been thrilled.
Tight end (3/6)
They’re on the team: Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, Sam Roush
Work to do: Stephen Carlson, Hayden Large, Qadir Ismail
What’s left to answer: Whether the team decides to keep Carlson as a fourth tight end — or whether coach Ben Johnson decides instead to use backup tackle Theo Benedet as an extra blocker.
Number to know: 3 — The Bears’ top three tight ends were drafted in Rounds 1, 2 and 3.
Wide receiver (6/11)
They’re on the team: Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, Kalif Raymond, Jahdae Walker, Zavion Thomas, Kaden Davis
Work to do: Scotty Miller, JP Richardson, Maurice Alexander, Omari Kelly, Ray-Ray McCloud III,
What’s left to answer: Davis, who spent the spring toiling in the UFL, has been one of the stars of training camp, making a wow play almost every day. But can the Bears trust him on special teams?
Number to know: 0 — Career regular-season NFL catches for Davis.
Offensive line (9/17)
They’re on the team: Braxton Jones, Joe Thuney, Garrett Bradbury, Jonah Jackson, Darnell Wright, Theo Benedet, Logan Jones, Luke Newman, Ozzy Trapilo
Work to do: Jedrick Wills, Kiran Amegadjie, Jordan McFadden, Mason Murphy, Jaren Kump, Caden Barnett, Kyle Hergel, Wesley French
What’s left to answer: What will the Bears do with Amegadjie? He’s three years away from being a third-round pick, so teams figure to dig into their scouting notes if and when the Bears waive him.
Number to know: 7 — Months after patellar tendon surgery that Trapilo was able to return to the practice field. When he got hurt in Round 1 of the playoffs, the Bears feared he’d miss the whole season. He needs a few more weeks of practice before he can play in games.
DEFENSE (25/44)
Defensive line (10/15)
They’re on the team: Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Gervon Dexter, Grady Jarrett, Neville Gallimore, Daniel Hardy, Dayo Odeyingbo, Kentavius Street, Jordan van den Berg. Marcus Davenport. Shemar Turner is likely to start the season on PUP or injured reserve.
Work to do: Jamree Kromah, Jayden Loving, James Lynch, Jeremiah Martin
What’s left to answer: Does Dexter get traded? He’s started 33 games for the Bears in three years and has garnered some interest, given that his contract expires at the end of the season. The Bears need all the defensive line help they can get, though, even with van den Berg flashing throughout camp.
Number to know: 0 — Full practices Davenport has participated in since signing Aug. 17.
Linebacker (5/10)
They’re on the team: Devin Bush, TJ Edwards, D’Marco Jackson, Jack Sanborn, Ruben Hyppolite
Work to do: Jon Rhattigan, Keyshaun Elliott, Tony Fields, Antonio Greer, Wayne Matthews
What’s left to answer: Does Elliott have time to get up to speed on special teams after being activated from PUP on Tuesday?
Number to know: 125 — Tackles Bush had with the Browns last year, more than any Bear.
Cornerback (6/11)
They’re on the team: Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Jaylon Jones, Josh Blackwell, Malik Muhammad, Terell Smith. Kyler Gordon will likely open the season on PUP.
Work to do: Beanie Bishop, Dontae Manning, Deantre Prince, William Wright
What’s left to answer: Is Bishop worth the trouble? If he makes the team, he must serve a three-game NFL suspension issued him before he signed with the Bears.
Number to know: 4 — Games Gordon would have to miss, at minimum, if the Bears put him on PUP to start the season.
Safety (4/8)
They’re on the team: Dillon Thieneman, Elijah Hicks, Cam Lewis, Xavier Woods. Coby Bryant, who is out for most of the season, will be put on injured reserve after cuts are made.
Work to do: Anthony Johnson Jr., Marlen Sewell, Skyler Thomas
What’s left to answer: Is Lewis a better safety than slot cornerback? The signing of Woods and the return of Hicks from injury gives the Bears flexibility to move him around.
Number to know: 134 — Career games played by Woods, whom the Bears signed after Bryant got hurt.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3/3)
He’s on the team: K Cairo Santos, P Tory Taylor, LS Beau Gardner
What’s left to answer: Whether the Bears find a veteran on cut they like better than Gardner.
Number to know: 0 — Gardner’s career NFL snaps.