Bears finalize 53-man roster, trade defensive tackle and cut two offensive linemen
Chicago released offensive tackles Kiran Amegadjie and Jedrick Wills, kept Ozzy Trapilo, and added cornerback Clark Phillips after trading Gervon Dexter to Atlanta.
Chicago general manager Ryan Poles submitted the team’s initial 53-man roster ahead of the league deadline, making several notable moves. The Bears traded defensive tackle Gervon Dexter to Atlanta for cornerback Clark Phillips and a fifth-round draft pick, while releasing offensive tackles Kiran Amegadjie and former first-round pick Jedrick Wills. Defensive end Marcus Davenport was also cut.
Phillips, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound cornerback who missed most of last season with a triceps injury, joins a secondary that also includes Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Malik Muhammad and Josh Blackwell. The trade leaves the Bears with depth at defensive tackle, relying on veterans Grady Jarrett and Kentavius Street, as well as younger players such as Neville Gallimore, Jordan van den Berg and undrafted rookie Jayden Loving.
Injuries continued to shape the roster. Cornerback Kyler Gordon moved to the reserve PUP list, sidelining him for at least four games, while defensive lineman Shemar Turner, a 2025 second-round pick recovering from a torn ACL, remains on the PUP list. Safety Coby Bryant, who is expected to go on injured reserve soon, stays on the active roster for now. Several players were placed on injured reserve after the preseason, including cornerback Jaylon Jones, running back Brittan Brown, linebacker Tony Fields and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud.
Undrafted rookies who made the roster include long snapper Beau Gardner, tight end Hayden Large, defensive tackle Jayden Loving and safety Skyler Thomas. Wide receiver Zavion Thomas, a third-round pick, secured his spot after a 97-yard touchdown on his first NFL snap, while quarterback Tyson Bagent remains the second-string quarterback.
The Bears have 16 practice-squad spots available and are expected to make minimal waiver claims, given their low position in the waiver order. The final roster lists 3 quarterbacks, 3 running backs, 5 wide receivers, 4 tight ends, 10 offensive linemen, 5 defensive tackles, 5 defensive ends, 4 linebackers, 5 cornerbacks, 6 safeties and 3 specialists.