The Chicago Bears trimmed their roster down to the league-mandated 53 players on Tuesday, signaling the start of the regular season is right around the corner.

As there is each and every season, there were some tough cuts made as the Bears trimmed down the roster, with several players who likely deserved a roster spot unable to get one based off several circumstances, mainly positional need and injuries.

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There weren’t any shocking moves by Chicago, but there were some surprises along the way. With that in mind, here’s a look at the five toughest cuts as the Bears assembled their initial 53-man roster.

RB Brittain Brown

The Bears are depleted by injuries at the running back position, and Brittain Brown played well enough this preseason to give himself a shot. With injuries to Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai, and Travis Homer, it would’ve made sense for Chicago to give Brown a roster spot, at the very least until the running back room got healthy. Brown rushed for 100 yards and one touchdown through three preseason games, but the Bears opted to only keep three running backs on the roster, although Travis Homer was placed on injured reserve with a return designation.

CB Tre Flowers

Another player who was passed over due to the number of players kept at his position, Tre Flowers performed well in the preseason so this is was an interesting decision. It was announced on Tuesday that fifth-round rookie pick Zah Frasier would miss all of the 2025 season due to a personal issue, and with Terell Smith lost for the season due to injury, Flowers is without a doubt a tough choice to cut. He finished the preseason with five tackles and three passes defended.

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OL Jordan McFadden

While Chicago elected to keep 10 offensive lineman this season, Jordan McFadden just missed the cut and had been talks of trade discussions coming into Tuesday. The Bears could not find a trade partner to take on McFadden, who played well as a backup this preseason with a new look offensive line in Chicago. McFadden should land elsewhere and provide good and talented depth to another team, and if he doesn’t, Chicago should keep his number at the top of their call log.

DL Zacch Pickens

The reason for Zacch Pickens landing on this list is mainly due to the disappointment attached to the former third-round pick back in 2023, and he never really got his footing in the NFL. Pickens was drafted in the same class as Gervon Dexter Sr., and while Chicago felt they would have two young anchors at defensive tackle, only Dexter has panned out. With the team adding several veterans on the defensive line, Pickens was the odd man out and will look for a fresh start elsewhere.

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WR Tyler Scott

Another miss from the 2023 draft class, wide receiver Tyler Scott was given ample opportunities to earn his spot on the roster but never got to where he needed to be. Whether it was at wide receiver or on special teams, Scott couldn’t break the roster on either side and is yet another failed project that likely was too early of an pick when general manager Ryan Poles selected him. The Bears offense and special teams units have gotten much more deeper and talented, and after not capitalizing on his previous chances, Scott will be on the search for a new home.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears initial 53-man roster: Toughest cuts