Predicting Chicago Bears Final Roster: 5 Bubble Locks and 3 Surprise Cuts

Here's five Chicago Bears players who were previously on the roster bubble who we now view as locks for the 53-man roster.

Chicago Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn (57) prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Roster cutdown day is almost upon us and the Chicago Bears will soon whittle their roster down to 53.

Cutdown day will fall on Sunday, Aug. 30, and once Chicago's cuts go through, the Bears will be scouring the waiver wire to find other players who can help them, so the initial 53 could change rather quickly.

With cutdown day rapidly approaching, here's a look at five players who were previously viewed as being on the bubble that we now view as locks.

We also have three players who will fall short of making the 53-man roster and amount to at least mildly surprising cuts.

Lock: Jordan van den Berg

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg (96) makes a tackle against Cincinnati Bengals running back Kentrel Bullock (31) during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The rookie entered training camp as a cut candidate because of his status as a late-round pick and because he didn't show much during OTAs and minicamp.

However, van den Berg has flipped the script completely with great showings in training camp and in the preseason, with his preseason Week 2 performance being especially impressive.

It's no longer a question of if van den Berg makes the roster, but rather how big of a role he's going to have out of the gate.

Lock: Salvon Ahmed

Chicago Bears running back Salvon Ahmed (36) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While Ahmed has worked behind Roschon Johnson in both of the preseason games, he has outperformed Johnson in both, also.

The same can be said throughout camp, where Ahmed has clearly been the better back and one of the bigger standouts for Chicago overall.

What does Ahmed making the roster mean for Johnson? We'll touch on that shortly.

Lock: Kaden Davis

Chicago Bears wide receiver Kaden Davis (27) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While Davis was blanked in the second preseason game, he was also out there with the ones on the opening series, which is a good sign for his roster chances.

Before that, Davis had been one of Chicago's bigger standouts in practice, and he had an outstanding showing in preseason Week 1, when he led all Bears pass-catchers in receptions and yards.

Davis' ability to play on special teams, including as a returner, will put him over the top.

Lock: Jack Sanborn

Chicago Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn (57) runs with the ball during Training Camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While Ruben Hyppolite has come on strong of late, Sanborn has been the more consistent player during training camp and the preseason, and he's an experienced and solid special teams contributor, which is important for a backup linebacker.

This doesn't mean Hyppolite is cooked, however, and he could still make the roster, but he's going to need something specific to happen for him to do so. More on that shortly.

Lock: Xavier Woods

Chicago Bears safety Xavier Woods (23) after a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

When the Bears signed Woods, we still did not know exactly what was up with Coby Bryant, which made Woods a question mark in terms of making the 53-man roster.

But now that Bryant is out for most or all of the season, Woods is going to make the roster for sure, even if Elijah Hicks returns from the PUP list before cutdown day.

Surprise cut: Roschon Johnson

Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (23) reacts after gaining a first down against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

We wouldn't exactly be shocked if Johnson is cut, as he has been pegged as a cut candidate all offseason long. But the fact that he has been the clear RB3 in the preseason suggests he might be safe.

That said, Johnson has done nothing to impress us with his preseason touches, and he has routinely been outperformed by Ahmed, both in practice and in exhibition play.

His special teams prowess and the injury to Kyle Monangai might save him, but for now, we think Johnson simply hasn't done enough to earn a roster spot.

Surprise cut: Ruben Hyppolite

Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion (1) runs in for a touchdown against Chicago Bears linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II (47) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It isn't normal to see a team part ways with a fourth-round pick in Year 2, which is why Hyppolite getting cut would be at least some semblance of a surprise.

While he has shown flashes, including in preseason Week 1, he also need a strong showing in the second preseason game, something Hyppolite failed to do.

He has not been as good as Sanborn, who is going to earn the LB4 spot in our projection, and at this point, Hyppolite's only chance to make the roster is if rookie linebacker Keyshaun Elliott remains on the shelf and starts the season on the PUP list.

However, NFL Network's Stacey Dales reported last week that the rookie is close to returning to practice, and if he does before cuts are made, that will be the death blow to Hyppolite's time in Chicago.

Surprise cut: Terell Smith

Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Coming off a signficant injury, Smith played a good amount of snaps for the Bears in 2023 and 2024, and with the injuries at cornerback, his chances of making the roster increased.

However, with Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Malik Muhammad, Jaylon Jones and Josh Blackwell all locks to make the roster, Smith is in a precarious spot. He also has not been able to stay healthy this offseason, which is another problem.

Even if Gordon stays on the PUP list through final cuts and opens up a spot for another cornerback, we still believe Smith will get cut, as Dontae Manning has been available and better this offseason, even with his struggles in preseason Week 2.