Five insights we can learn from the Bears' first depth chart of 2020
The Bears released their first unofficial depth chart Monday after trimming their roster down to 53 players over the weekend, plus 16 on the practice squad. We learned Friday night that Mitch Trubisky will lead the offense at quarterback, but what else can we learn from the Bears' 2020 depth chart?
While its technically "unofficial," it's still possible to glean some valuable information.
1. The Bears are optimistic that David Montgomery will be ready for Week 1.
The team kept three running backs on the 53-man roster, along with Cordarrelle Patterson (who is still technically listed as a receiver). If running back David Montgomery's groin injury were going to keep him on the sidelines for Week 1, the Bears would have kept an additional running back on the roster.
Montgomery is listed as the starter with Tarik Cohen the backup and Ryan Nall as the third option. Patterson will likely be involved in some way, too. Undrafted rookie Artavis Pierce was signed to the practice squad.
2. Darnell Mooney has impressed his coaches.
The fact that rookie receiver Darnell Mooney is listed ahead of second-year receiver Riley Ridley on the depth chart says something. Mooney is exceptionally fast and showed his speed throughout training camp, at times working with the first-string offense.
Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller and Ted Ginn Jr. are the top three options at receiver, according to the depth chart, with Patterson, Mooney and Javon Wims behind them on the second string. Ridley looks to be the seventh option.
Mooney is also listed as the backup option at kick returner and punt returner.
3. Jaylon Johnson should be on the field Week 1.
Rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson didn't participate in team drills much during camp. He had one interception against Nick Foles early in camp, but did not play at all in the scrimmage at Soldier Field.
He is, however, listed as a starter at cornerback. Coach Matt Nagy never sounded worried about the rookie, who had offseason shoulder surgery. Johnson confirmed he will start during an interview Tuesday.
4. Expect to see a lot of Buster Skrine and Deon Bush in the secondary.
While Johnson is likely to be on the field, there remains some question about how much he will play in Week 1 as a rookie with no preseason experience. Cornerback Buster Skrine and safety Deon Bush will be on the field often in the secondary. Whether that's in subpackages or to give Johnson a rest now and then, those two figure to rotate in and out frequently. Bush is listed as a backup safety behind veteran Tashaun Gipson.
Even so, they all figure to play a part in the rotation. Bush appeared in 15 games last year as a backup and Skrine played in all 16 games, with four starts.
5. 2020 brings a huge opportunity for Roy Robertson-Harris.
Defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris is firmly in a starting spot at defensive end. When nose tackle Eddie Goldman opted out, Bilal Nichols moved over to the nose spot, leaving room for Roberston-Harris on the end.
Robertson-Harris and former Bears defensive lineman Nick Williams had breakout performances in 2019 when Akiem Hicks spent time on injured reserve with an elbow injury. Williams turned that into a healthy paycheck (two years, $10 million from the Lions). The 27-year-old Robertson-Harris is going to see big minutes in 2020, and needs a new contract after the season. If he can stay healthy and perform well, he will have the chance to prove he deserves big money, too.