Breaking : Bears reportedly set to leave behind Mid-Round Draft Busts in Camp

As for Robinson, the 2022 fifth-round pick has been virtually a non-factor as a pass rusher for the Bears. He recorded 1.5 sacks and seven tackles in the season opener of his rookie season, but he has notched just 35 tackles and a half-sack in his 27 games since.

“Even with Austin Booker joining the rotation, defensive end is not the deepest group on the team, so Robinson might stick around thanks to a numbers game alone,” Shapiro stated on May 26. “But if some player like Khalid Kareem or Jacob Martin outperforms him over the summer, the Bears could cut bait.”

Windows Still Open for Velus Jones & Dominique Robinson

The forecast is not the sunniest for either Jones or Robinson heading into Year 3, but just because they are down and on the roster bubble does not mean they are out yet.

Jones lacks the offensive production to be a sure thing for the 53-man roster, but the Bears seem confident in his ability to be a difference-maker with the new kickoff rules. If he can show enough growth as a pass-catcher, the merits of his return ability might be enough for the Bears to feel comfortable putting him fifth or sixth in the rotation.

Then again, Velus Jones is 27 years old. To put things in perspective, he is only 27 days younger than No. 1 receiver DJ Moore, a 2018 first-round pick. The Bears can look beyond his age to some extent, but it also heightens the pressure if he does not improve.

Robinson has a weaker case than Jones. The Bears, like Booker, initially saw him as a raw prospect with developable talents, but the few glimpses he exhibited as a rookie have yet to pay off after two seasons. In 2023, he recorded only five pressures and was Pro Football Focus’ lowest-graded edge rusher among players who played at least 100 defensive snaps. That’s a challenging reality for a squad eager to pass.

Shapiro is correct: stats can help Robinson secure a position on the 53-man roster in 2024, but they will not save him. He must outperform players such as Kareem and Martin, who are vying for positions behind Montez Sweat and DeMarcus Walker. Things will only become more difficult if the Bears opt to add another veteran pass rusher to their roster, such as re-signing Yannick Ngakoue.

Which Other Bears Could Lose Their Jobs in 2024?

Shapiro also cited fullback Khari Blasingame and offensive tackle Larry Borom as veterans who could be cut by the Bears during training camp.

Blasingame could be safe if new Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has plans to make use of a fullback in his offense, but he didn’t use one often in Seattle and leaned on big-bodied non-fullbacks to play the role when necessary. A changing offense could put him on the outside looking in, especially with just 28 all-purpose yards in two years.