DEFENSE (25 PLAYERS)
Defensive line
Starting: Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols
Making the team: Angelo Blackson, Khyiris Tonga, Mario Edwards*
Outside looking in: LaCale London, Daniel Archibong
Biggest camp development: Hicks, who has refused interviews all camp, is entering the final year of his contract and wants a new deal. Edwards is suspended for the first two games because of a performanceenhancing drug violation and doesn’t count against the 53-man roster.
He said it: “Tonga is everything I love about a player. He’s tough, he’s physical. He wants to learn, he’s eager to learn.” — Nichols
Inside linebackers
Starting: Roquan Smith, Danny Trevathan Making the team: Alec Ogletree, Christian Jones, Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Josh Woods Outside looking in: Caleb Johnson Biggest camp development: A free agent when camp began, Ogletree has played well enough to make the team and be its best insurance policy against Trevathan or Smith going down during the season.
He said it: “”Depending on where Danny is — status-wise, health-wise, etc. —we feel good with the way that ’Tree’s played.” — Nagy
Outside linebackers
Starting: Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn Making the team: Jeremiah Attaochu, Trevis Gipson,
Outside looking in: James Vaughters, Charles Snowden, Sam Kamara
Biggest camp development: The Bears have been cautious with Quinn’s back dating to the spring, and he missed time after hurting his ankle against the Dolphins. But he has looked good when he has been on the field one year after totaling only two sacks. He said it: “[Quinn] has a certain expectation for himself and he’s got high goals. And for him, he didn’t find last season acceptable.” — outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey
Cornerbacks
Starting: Jaylon Johnson, Kindle Vildor Making the team: Duke Shelley, Thomas Graham Jr., Desmond Trufant, Artie Burns Outside looking in: Tre Roberson, Xavier Crawford
Biggest camp development: Vildor and Trufant are rotating snaps in the only open starting job on the team, but there’s a complicating factor. Trufant has been gone the past week because of the death of his father, whose funeral was Wednesday. “I know it’s been difficult for him,” Nagy said. “He wants to be here ... We all support him with that. I just think that the one thing that he has is, he has that experience, and we know that.”
He said it: “Obviously we’ve been rotating pretty much the whole camp and everything like that, so I know nothing’s gonna be given to me.” — Vildor
Safeties
Starting: Eddie Jackson, Tashaun Gipson Making the team: Deon Bush, DeAndre Houston-Carson
Outside looking in: Marqui Christian, Teez Tabor
Biggest camp development: Jackson (hamstring) didn’t practice for the first time until Aug. 10 and Gipson (groin) missed two weeks. Both are back, though, and played 33 snaps side-by-side in Saturday’s preseason loss. Christian has been impressive in camp and has a chance to stick.
He said it: “[I want to] just be real thoughtful about where [Jackson] is on the field, be real thoughtful about how people are trying to attack us on defense. And try to get him in some spots where he can use his skills to the best of his ability.” — defensive coordinator Sean Desai