As the Chicago Bears prepare for a pivotal 2025 campaign under new head coach Ben Johnson, roster turnover appears imminent — and two recent draft picks could become its most high-profile casualties.
Wide receiver Tyler Scott and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens, both drafted in 2023, are reportedly at risk of being cut before the regular season kicks off. Their future with the team has been called into question following aggressive offseason moves that reshaped key position groups on both sides of the ball.
Scott, a 2023 fourth-round pick, finds himself buried on the wide receiver depth chart after the Bears selected Luther Burden III early in the second round and signed experienced options such as Devin Duvernay and Myles Boykin.
The emergence of new weapons for quarterback Caleb Williams leaves Scott, who had just one catch for five yards last season, in a vulnerable position.
A decline in special teams snaps — from 55 in his rookie year to 35 in 2024 — further weakens his case. With no significant role on either offense or special teams, insiders believe the 24-year-old speedster is no longer among the six most valuable receivers on the roster.
Defensively, third-round defensive tackle Zacch Pickens is also in jeopardy. Chicago fortified its interior line by signing veteran Grady Jarrett and drafting Shemar Turner, while 2023 contributor Chris Williams continues to hold favor within the coaching staff. Despite playing 492 snaps across 26 games in his first two years, Pickens appears to have slid down the pecking order.
With a deep defensive line rotation and limited roster space, the former South Carolina standout’s remaining two years on a $5.8 million rookie deal may not be enough to secure his spot.
As training camp nears, both Scott and Pickens face an uphill battle to remain in Chicago — a stark reminder of how quickly roster dynamics shift in the NFL.
