The Chicago Bears are heading into a season with reinforcements on both sides of the ball and a new coaching staff that will have high expectations to turn things around. However, part of the overhaul in Chicago will be on the players to help pave the way for an era of winning football. With that, several Bears players are slated to take a massive step next season.
5 Bears Players Slated to Take a Massive Step
RB Roschon Johnson
Former 2023 fourth-round pick Roschon Johnson has a golden opportunity to prove his worth after a year of mismanagement last season and a lack of additions in the running back department. The Texas Longhorn rushed for 502 yards on 136 carries for eight touchdowns in two seasons with the Bears, and general manager Ryan Poles had some comments on Johnson heading into his third season in the NFL.
“Roschon, really looking forward to him playing a physical brand of football that we know he has. I think kind of that role was a little bit out of whack last year. I think he’s going to have more of a physical role for us.”
Gervon Dexter Sr.
It feels like Gervon Dexter Sr. is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode into one of the premier defensive tackles in the NFL. Last season, he saw a major increase in tackles, sacks, and pressures, but Dexter knows what he must work on to reach the next level next season.
“Being more consistent, finishing, just staying consistent is the next step for me,” Dexter said in a press conference. Now he has another mentor in Grady Jarrett, and the stars are aligning for Dexter to take that next step.
Darnell Wright
The Bears are expecting big things out of Darnell Wright next season. The former first-round pick had a nice season in 2024, ranking 16 out of a possible 140 offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus (PFF) with a 79.3 overall grade. He also put up an amazing 82.2 run blocking PFF grade (7th/140) and a respectable 75.4 pass blocking grade (35th/140). Now with stability at right guard (knock on wood) with the addition of Jonah Jackson, Wright should be in line for a massive 2025-26 campaign.
Rome Odunze
With Keenan Allen out of the mix, Rome Odunze is expected to take a huge step next season in a larger role. This offseason, Odunze is focused on putting himself “in peak condition spiritually, mentally, and physically.” With a year under his belt, it’s time to have a breakout sophomore campaign.
Austin Booker
The Bears surprisingly made just one notable investment at defensive end, signing Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year, $48 million deal. That leaves the window of opportunity wide open for 2024 fifth-round pick Austin Booker. He should find opportunities to play meaningful snaps next season as the third option between Odeyingbo and Montez Sweat, and the hope is Booker takes a big leap from his rookie season.
Breakout szn for Austin Booker?👀🐻⬇️#Bears pic.twitter.com/wtDBmGo5YP
— IZ🏈 (@Isaac__Zuniga) June 3, 2025
Main Image: Kamil Krzaczynski – USA Today Sports
