
Bears Set 2026 Identity: Meritocracy, Tight Ends, and a Rookie-Heavy Roster
With the cutdown finished, the Bears’ 53-man roster signals a 2026 identity built on merit: Gervon Dexter traded to Atlanta in favor of relying on Jordan van den Berg; a TE-heavy offense featuring Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, Sam Roush and Hayden Large; Ozzy Trapilo’s remarkable return from a patellar tendon injury; and 11 rookies on the roster, including four undrafted players, highlighting Ryan Poles’ talent-identification success.












