Bears' 53-Man Roster Raises Questions at Tight End and Safety

The Bears kept four tight ends, including Hayden Large, which is unusual under coach Ben Johnson and may signal a trade or protection against poaching. The team also traded Gervon Dexter and faces cap constraints, leaving questions about whether they will add a safety. The roster appears far from final as waiver claims and trades are expected.

The Bears' decision to carry four tight ends, with Hayden Large making the initial 53-man roster, departs from typical roster construction under coach Ben Johnson. Large's blocking ability, showcased in preseason and camp, may have prompted the team to protect him from waiver claims by opponents like the Panthers. The team's cap situation, sitting at roughly $4.6 million in space before the Dexter trade, complicates any potential moves at safety or other positions of need.

Offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo's status remains uncertain after patellar tendon surgery, with the team carrying only three other tackles. Trapilo has been limited to individual drills rather than full scrimmage work, yet the Bears avoided placing him on injured reserve. This suggests they expect him available early in the season, though his readiness for Week 1 remains an open question as waiver claims and potential trades could still reshape the roster.