Bears Players Who Need Impressive Camp to Avoid Being Cut

Training camp is going to be different for the Chicago Bears in 2022, with plenty of new faces filling the practice fields. That starts at the top, as this will be the team's first camp under Matt Eberflus, who is an NFL head coach for the first time in his career.

Some players are essentially locked into starting spots, such as quarterback Justin Fields, running back David Montgomery and wide receiver Darnell Mooney. Other positions are much less clear, and there will be heated competitions for playing time.

Not every player who reports to Bears camp on July 26 will end up on the 53-man roster for Week 1 of the regular season. Some guys are going to get cut, falling short of making the team. That's why it's so crucial for bubble players to stand out in positive ways during the summer months.

Here's a look at several Chicago players who need to have strong showings this summer to avoid being in jeopardy of getting cut at the end of camp.

Duke Shelley, CB

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Chicago Bears cornerback Duke Shelley (20) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

If Duke Shelley is going to have a role with the Bears, it will be a slot cornerback. It's unlikely that the 25-year-old can have success on the outside, which is something that's been evident over his first three years with the team.

However, Chicago has bolstered its secondary this offseason, and there could be better candidates to serve as its slot CBs. The Bears signed Tavon Young in free agency, while Thomas Graham Jr. could take a big step forward in his second NFL season.

It's a crowded cornerback group for the Bears, who will surely need roster spots for others such as Jaylon Johnson and rookie Kyler Gordon, both favorites for starting roles. And with plenty of other depth players, Shelley could end up being the odd corner out this summer.

Shelley will need to prove during camp that he's improved since playing 30 games over his first three seasons and that he's worthy of a roster spot. Otherwise, his time in Chicago could be nearing an end before the regular season arrives.

Darrynton Evans, RB

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Chicago Bears running back Darrynton Evans warms up at the NFL football team's practice facility in Lake Forest, Ill., Tuesday, May 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Whether or not the Bears carry four running backs on their roster could decide if Darrynton Evans makes the team. If they opt to only keep three, then Evans may be the odd one out, unless he impresses during his first training camp with Chicago.

Evans signed with the Bears in March to serve as the clear No. 3 back behind Montgomery and Khalil Herbert. Evans didn't play much over his first two NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans, registering only 16 carries in six games, but the 24-year-old could have some untapped potential.

However, Chicago's backfield picture became more crowded during the 2022 NFL draft, when it selected Trestan Ebner in the sixth round. He may not get many snaps on offense during his rookie season, but he also brings value to the return game. And that could help him solidify a roster spot in the preseason.

If Evans has a strong camp, he could easily make the team, especially if the Bears are open to keeping four RBs on the roster. But if Evans struggles and they'd rather use the space to retain a player at another position, he may not make it to the regular season with the team.

Dane Cruikshank, S

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LAKE FOREST, IL - MAY 24: Chicago Bears defensive backs Michael Joseph (30) and Dane Cruikshank (29) chat and look on during the the Chicago Bears OTA Offseason Workouts on May 24, 2022 at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Like Evans, Dane Cruikshank is a former Titans player who the Bears signed early in free agency. The 27-year-old safety is entering his fifth NFL season after appearing in 44 games during his time with Tennessee from 2018-21.

Last year, Cruikshank set career highs in tackles (43), forced fumbles (one) and starts (four) while playing 14 games. So there's reason to believe he could be on the rise and may become a solid contributor for Chicago's secondary.

But the Bears now have a crowded situation at safety. Eddie Jackson and rookie Jaquan Brisker are the probable starters at the two spots, while DeAndre Houston-Carson and rookie Elijah Hicks will also be battling for roster spots along with Cruikshank.

There's a chance Cruikshank beats out Houston-Carson or Hicks to earn a backup role, but it seems unlikely that Chicago will carry more than four safeties on its roster. So Cruikshank will likely need to showcase his talent throughout camp and have a strong performance to make the team over the other options.