Predicting Bears' Top NFL Training Camp Breakout Players

All of the buzz around the Chicago Bears' training camp should surround No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.

Williams will be under the spotlight every time he touches the ball in practice and preseason games.

But we are also already projecting that Williams will be a star for the NFC North side in its quest to get back to the postseason.

Other players will fill the breakout roles in training camp, even if they perform well in Williams' shadow.

There are a handful of positional battles further down the depth chart that will be won by breakout stars of the summer.

Roschon Johnson

Justin Casterline/Getty Images

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 31: Roschon Johnson #23 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after a touchdown with Lucas Patrick #62 in the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field on December 31, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Roschon Johnson built a solid foundation for his NFL career with 352 yards on 81 carries in his rookie season.

The Texas product comes into training camp as the clear No. 2 option to free-agent signing D'Andre Swift.

Johnson's goal this summer should be to become option 1A and not Swift's true backup.

Plenty of teams have succeeded with two strong running backs, and in fact, you could make the case the Bears need two impressive ball carriers to support Williams in games in which he does not play well.

Chicago needs to beat teams in multiple ways, and if a Swift-Johnson running back pairing is thriving, it may be win one or two more games than expected.

Austin Reed

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - MAY 10: Austin Reed #16 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass during Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall on May 10, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Chicago's backup quarterback competition should be wide open.

Tyson Bagent is the incumbent backup, but he did not blow everyone away in his starts in 2023.

Brett Rypien has some NFL experience as a spot starter, but he has been a career backup.

That opens up the possibility for rookie Austin Reed to shine in preseason and jump over at least one of those players on the depth chart.

The Bears probably do not want to go into the regular season with a rookie backing up a rookie, so one of Bagent and Rypien will stay around.

Reed, who threw for 8,086 yards in two seasons at Western Kentucky, should receive plenty of reps in the second half of preseason games.

He will not be playing the best competition, but if he makes the right decisions and puts up decent stat lines, he can be the No. 3 signal-caller.

Collin Johnson

Justin Casterline/Getty Images

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 31: Collin Johnson #80 of the Chicago Bears runs the ball after a catch in the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field on December 31, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

The back end of the Bears wide receiver depth chart possesses a lot of similar players.

Collin Johnson is physically built different at 6'6" in comparison to Tyler Scott, Velus Jones Jr. and Dante Pettis.

Johnson needs to make the 53-man roster as a pass-catcher, while the other smaller wide receivers will be fighting for the kick and punt return jobs as well.

A singular focus in training camp may help Johnson stand out, potentially as Reed's go-to option late in preseason games.

Johnson likely has a long path to making the 53-man roster, but that is exactly what could be the motivating factor for the 26-year-old to break out in July and August.