Bears' Biggest Weaknesses Ahead of 2024 NFL Training Camp

The Chicago Bears have turned themselves into one of the more competitive teams on paper ahead of the 2024 NFL season.

General manager Ryan Poles filled a ton of weaknesses over the last two seasons and his roster overhaul culminated with the selection of Caleb Williams in April.

The Bears have far fewer holes than they did at this point of the offseason in the last few seasons.

That's exactly what you want out of a rebuilding process, but the roster is not perfect and there are still some weaknesses going into training camp.

Most of the concerns are about players who could fill in for starters, but there is one glaring issue on the offensive line.

Right Guard

Justin Casterline/Getty Images

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 31: Nate Davis #64 of the Chicago Bears in action in the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field on December 31, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Nate Davis is perceived as the weak link of the Bears offensive line.

It's easy to be singled out for poor play when you are surrounded by first-round draft picks and improving young players.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus rotated Davis, Ryan Bates and Matt Pryor at right guard during minicamp, a sign that the position is open for competition in training camp.

"Yeah, don't know yet," Eberflus said, per 670 The Score. "I really don't know. We'll see. We'll see how it goes. I'm just thinking through my head, a bunch of multiple combinations. I really don't know exactly. Sure, we had Bates there. He's played there. (Coleman) Shelton has played at center, of course. Davis has played there. Tev has been on the (left) side. Pryor has been in and been out. The versatility there has certainly been helpful."

That statement makes it seem like any one of Davis, Bates or Pryor could start the season at right guard. The Bears might even opt to sign a veteran free agent to fill the role.

Regardless of who starts there in Week 1, there is less stability at right guard compared to everywhere else on the interior.

Running Back Depth

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - JUNE 04: Khalil Herbert #24 of the Chicago Bears takes part in a drill during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall on June 04, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Chicago's running back committee played as well as it could in a season where the starting quarterback was hurt.

The Bears rushing attack will be better in 2024 at the top with D'Andre Swift, but some questions remain about Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson.

Herbert rushed for over 600 yards in each of the last two seasons, but he only has eight rushing touchdowns in his three-year career.

He has not been utilized a ton in the passing game to declare if he can help or hurt the Bears in that spot. He had 31 catches for 134 yards last season.

Johnson flashed plenty of potential with 561 total yards last season. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry and 6.1 yards per reception.

Johnson will likely be the No. 2 running back, but how he reacts to a likely uptick in production could play a huge role in how the Bears offense operates.

Swift is coming off the only 1,000-yard season of his four-year career, and if he drops back to the 600-yard form he showcased in three years with Detroit, Herbert and Johnson must be ready to step up to fill the production to ensure no drop offs in the ground game.

Backup Quarterback

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 24: Tyson Bagent #17 of the Chicago Bears reacts against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field on December 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Bears' quarterback depth outside of Caleb Williams is a bit stunning.

Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien and Austin Reed are listed in that order on the depth chart going into training camp.

Bagent was okay as the Bears backup in 2023, but he did not have a game with more than 230 passing yards. He only had three touchdown passes and completed less than 70 percent of his passes in three of five games.

Rypien has more experience on his resume, but he has not wowed in the short time he has had on an NFL field.

Reed is a rookie out of Western Kentucky who needs some work to jump over Bagent and Rypien on the depth chart.

The Bears hope they do not have to worry about their backup situation at all in 2024, but if Williams misses any sort of time, they could be in deep trouble.