• The Chicago Bears entered their early bye week with a .500 record after starting the season 0-2.
• Rookie offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and wide receiver Luther Burden III have shown promise in their limited opportunities.
• Several rookies, including Shemar Turner and Ruben Hyppolite II, have received low grades due to lack of availability or impact.
• Seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai has exceeded expectations, earning significant playing time at running back.

The Chicago Bears have the earliest bye week of the NFL season this year, joining the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Atlanta Falcons as teams who have off this week.

After struggling out of the gate and starting their season 0-2, the Bears have bounced back in their last two games and entered their bye week with a .500 record, but plenty of question marks remain on their roster. In the Week 4 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, rookie offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo played the most snaps he has to begin his career, and played well in his first real opportunity.

Trapilo has been just one of few rookies to get onto the field for the Bears this season, and while it’s only four weeks into the season, it’s time to give out an early report card with plenty of room for growth in the remaining 13 games.

TE Colston Loveland (Round 1, Pick 10): C

While not completely all his fault, Colston Loveland has rarely been used through the first part of the season, and then missed the Week 4 matchup against Las Vegas due to a hip injury. Loveland was supposed to come in and create a dynamic pass catching duo at tight end alongside Cole Kmet, and it’s something that hasn’t come to fruition. Loveland’s grade will likely improve if Ben Johnson and the coaching staff can find ways to make him more involved throughout the rest of the season.

WR Luther Burden III (Round 2, Pick 39): B-

Stuck behind DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus at the wide receiver position might be the only thing holding back the true potential of Luther Burden III. His biggest game of his young NFL career came in the win over the Dallas Cowboys, when he caught three passes for 101 yards, which included a 65-yard flea flicker touchdown. One of the most exciting plays in recent Bears history, Burden had an incredible catch down the sideline from Caleb Williams that really showed his big play-making ability.

OT Ozzy Trapilo (Round 2, Pick 55): B

The Bears offensive line has shown they still have work to do, and Ozzy Trapilo may have given them more to consider when moving forward. In the Week 4 victory over the Raiders, standout right tackle Darnell Wright missed the game due to injury, which gave Theo Benedet the starting nod. After a lackluster start, left tackle Braxton Jones was pulled for Benedet and Trapilo was inserted at right tackle. Trapilo, for being thrown into the fire in the middle of the game, held his own against star pass rusher Maxx Crosby. Chicago may have to really consider if Trapilo will be part of their starting offensive line when they return from the bye week, as Wright might still be sidelined.

DT Shemar Turner (Round 2, Pick 62): D

Most of the grade for Shemar Turner comes in his lack of availability, as he only got his first action of the season in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys but did not record a tackle in that game. Turner picked up two tackles against the Raiders, which was a game in which veteran Grady Jarrett was out due to injury, but he could’ve done more. Turner may be the rookie who has the hardest opportunity for playing time, but the best ability is availability, and Turner has not had that yet.

LB Ruben Hyppolite II (Round 4, Pick 132): D

Linebacker Ruben Hyppolite has had more opportunity than Turner to get on the field, and has been available for more games, but has just two more tackles than Turner in four games. Hyppolite’s best game of his career was in the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, but has not recorded a tackle in the last two games. With T.J. Edwards missing most of the first four games, Hyppolite had the opportunity to earn more playing time as LB3, but has not done so, and it has been Noah Sewell who has shined in the spotlight.

CB Zah Frazier (Round 5, Pick 148): INCOMPLETE

Right before the season began, it was announced that cornerback Zah Frazier would miss all of the season due to personal reasons, so he will not get a grade at all this year.

OL Luke Newman (Round 5, Pick 195): INCOMPLETE

Offensive lineman Luke Newman has not had a chance to crack the lineup but in the preseason he showed versatility and good playing ability in his short window. To their credit, the Bears added to their offensive line depth with the selections of Trapilo and Newman, but there has not been much opportunity for the latter.

RB Kyle Monangai (Round 7, Pick 233): B+

The third-highest rusher on the Bears this season, running back Kyle Monangai defeated the odds stacked up against him just to make the roster, but now he’s getting plenty of time on the field. Monangai has taken over the roster spot of Roschon Johnson as the team’s second running back at the very early stages of the season. Even more importantly, Monangai could benefit even more if D’Andre Swift continues to struggling out of the backfield, bringing the Bears more juice and energy, and a different look to their rushing attack.