Four players who have the most to prove at Chicago Bears’ training camp in order to play a big role in 2024

The Chicago Bears are a little over a month away from kicking of training camp at Halas Hall and excitement continues to be in the air.

The Bears rookies will report back to practice on July 16th with the veterans arriving on July 19th. The start of training camp also means the start of the filming for HBO’s hit documentary series Hard Knocks. A lot will be going on in Chicago next month, but on the field everything remains the same for the players.

When the next phase of the offseason program kicks off, many players on the roster will use the opportunity to show out with hopes of landing on the 53-man roster. Among those with decent chances of already making the roster, here are four who will be looking to earn a larger role on the team while at training camp.

1. WR Tyler Scott

Among all of the wide receivers in the Bears crowded room, second-year Tyler Scott has had the fewest buzz out this summer, of any of them. We heard nothing but positive things about receivers like Velus Jones Jr. and receivers like DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze throughout minicamp.

For someone who is anticipated to be the team’s fourth wide receiver on the depth chart, Scott’s name has been rather quiet. In 2024, Scott hopes to improve on his 17 receptions and 168 yard rookie campaign to become a much more dependable option in the passing game.

During his first season in Chicago, Scott was able to showcase several of his strong playing attributes, such as his speed. If he is able to research the Allen at training camp, he can look to create more opportunities for himself within Shane Waldron’s offense.

2. RB Khalil Herbert

From what we saw out of OTAs and minicamp, the Bears are going to use new running back D’Andre Swift a lot in a hostile manner. The other backs, especially Khalil Herbert, may find their roles reduced as a result.

In 2023, Herbert had the chance to start at quarterback for the Bears, but he missed a significant amount of the campaign due to a hamstring injury. He will now be competing with second-year running back Roschon Johnson for touches and playing behind Swift on the depth chart.

Herbert may be on the bubble for a spot on the squad going into training camp, according to major media reports. If he performs well, he may be given more offensive snaps in addition to helping to guarantee his spot on the squad. The Bears could be better off searching for a possible trade partner if he is unable to accomplish this.

3. RB Ian Wheeler

The Bears paid a handsome contract (as far as UDFA signings go) to add former Howard running back Ian Wheeler to the team after the 2024 NFL Draft concluded. There has to be good reason for that, and we started to see some of it during OTAs and minicamp over the previous month.

Given his abilities to play multiple roles on special teams, Wheeler has a legitimate path toward making the 53-man roster if he can beat out veteran Travis Homer, who played 61 percent of the team’s special teams snaps in 2023.

With a strong showing during training camp, Wheeler can really gain the attention of special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, who will be using the upcoming practices to further build out the rest of his units.

4. DB Elijah Hicks

After starting eight games and appearing in 32 over the last two seasons with the Bears, safety Elijah Hicks is potentially in jeopardy of being left off the 53-man roster due to a tight battle at the position heading into training camp.

Although Hicks was observed practicing with the second-team defense several times over the past month or so, the selection of the players who make the roster cuts may come down to a close decision between the two free agent signees. Jonathan Owens, a former starting safety for the Green Bay Packers, appears to be locked into the starting position, but Tarvarius Moore, a former 49ers depth player and performer on special teams, may challenge Hicks for the place given his past relationships with Hightower.

It doesn’t help that, according to Pro Football Focus, Hicks let up four touchdowns on 14 targets in the 2023 campaign. He needs to perform well during the season if he want to continue playing as a backup at the position.