Chicago Bears: 5 Players With Most To Lose In Preseason

ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 25: Jeremy Langford /

The Chicago Bears know preseason doesn’t count on the schedule, but for many of their players it’s a life or death struggle for their livelihood.

There are 90 players on the current roster. Before opening day in September there will be 37 fewer. The coaches know they have to make those decisions and often preseason performances can be the determining factor in who stays and who goes. It’s why so many surprise names are cast out year after year. So in regards to the Bears, which notable players face that danger in 2017. Here are five to watch over the next month.

Jeremy Langford (RB)

At this time last year Langford was the unquestioned starter for the Bears at running back and heir to the Matt Forte throne. Barely a month later he was out with injury and Jordan Howard was taking his job and going to the Pro Bowl. Now Langford isn’t even guaranteed a roster spot. Not only is he dealing with a persistent ankle injury that has kept him out of practice but rookie Tarik Cohen has played well in his absence. This means if Ka’Deem Carey or Bennie Cunningham start to show up too, Langford could be cut after just two seasons.

Zach Miller (TE)

In terms of being a quality teammate and just all-around great guy it’s hard to do better than Zach Miller. He works so hard and has had success over the past couple years in Chicago. There are two problems though. His persistent injury problems came back and he’s 32-years old with a host of young bucks like Dion Sims and Adam Shaheen arriving. Suddenly the Bears are loaded at tight end almost to the point where they might feel comfortable cutting their losses with him. A clunker preseason could be his undoing.

Adrian Amos (S)

The safety competition is wide open at this point. Most believe veteran Quintin Demps has one spot locked up, which means the other occupied by embattled third-year man Adrian Amos will be under threat. Amos has worked tirelessly in two years as starter but his persistent inability to create turnovers has left him vulnerable. Second-year man Deon Bush and rookie Eddie Jackson are gunning for his job and have proven that much in practice. If they back it up with some big plays in preseason, it’s all over.

Kyle Fuller (CB)

One really has to feel for Kyle Fuller. The guy is talented and works hard but he’s got some rotten luck. His first coaching staff was fired after one season. He got benched midway through his second and just when he started to get going he misses all of 2016 with a knee injury. He can’t catch a break and now the Bears are putting on the pressure. Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper arrive via free agency. It’s going to be a challenge for Fuller to stick on the roster. The team still believes in him, but he needs to start believing in himself.

Connor Barth (K)

Missing five field goals the year before didn’t guarantee Connor Barth anything this season. The Bears are content with the veteran at this point because he’s a known commodity who is fairly reliable from inside 40 yards. That said the arrival of rookie Andy Phillips has certainly put the pressure on. The preseason will present plenty of obstacles for him to clear. One or two notable whiffs could open the door for Phillips to swipe his job.

Home/NFL Draft