A clean slate has been the theme of the Bears under new general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus.
Poles cleared out the roster, trading linebacker Khalil Mack, cutting nose tackle Eddie Goldman and letting guard James Daniels and defensive end Akiem Hicks go in free agency, among several veteran discards.
And Eberflus has made it clear that he is taking a very objective look at the roster he inherited. Linebacker Roquan Smith might be the only player who is certain to start in Week 1 — and that’s not that much of an exaggeration. Cornerback Jaylon Jones, the second most-established starter on the defense after Smith, missed the initial mini-camp in April and was running with the second team in OTAs two weeks ago.