Hey, wait, if the Bears are sitting almost all their starters Sunday in the preseason opener against the Dolphins, is there really any point to watching it?
Absolutely.
Not only is it new coach Ben Johnson’s first time calling all the shots during a game, it’ll be a key stage in several position battles. Some starting jobs are still up for debate, and several important second-string spots are there to take. Those who impress now might end up playing vital parts when the season starts Sept. 8 against the Vikings.
Here are four things to watch when the Bears kick off the preseason:
“He’s been phenomenal,” Johnson said. “He’s smart as a whip. I appreciate the seriousness and intent that he brings every time he walks into a room… I couldn’t be more thrilled that he’s here with us.”
That’s a good starting point, but there’s more to go. Bagent needs to earn Johnson’s trust in case starter Caleb Williams misses time this season, and coaches typically find it easier to count on a veteran like Case Keenum. While Keenum was brought in largely to be a mentor to Williams, he and Bagent have been vying for the backup spot throughout camp.
Bagent leads for now and is likely to play the first half. It’s a good chance to solidify his standing.
2. Left tackle battle intensifies
While Johnson said Friday he planned to hold out approximately 18 starters, choosing instead to get them heavy reps in the joint practice against the Dolphins, he will play starting left tackle candidates Braxton Jones and Ozzy Trapilo. Kiran Amegadjie was part of that competition, too, but has slipped because of a leg injury.
Jones got the top spot on the depth chart leading up to the game and has the advantage of 2,484 NFL snaps at the position, while Trapilo is a rookie.
However, Jones didn’t progress as much as he needed to last season and is coming off a broken ankle. And Johnson was instrumental in drafting Trapilo with the No. 56 overall pick.
At 6-foot-8, 312 pounds, Trapilo is taller and heavier than Jones, plus he’s the head coach’s pick, but he has to prove he can outplay a three-year starter.
3. Monangai, rookies take stage
Johnson already said rookie running back Kyle Monangai, a seventh-round pick, is someone “we’re going to be able to trust” in the regular season, but there’s a wide range of meanings in that statement.
Sure, Johnson could trust him in a pinch. Monangai, though, could earn more of a role if he shows the between-the-tackles tenacity the Bears want. There are questions about starter D’Andre Swift’s ability to run like that, and Roschon Johnson is still an unknown quantity after being virtually ignored in the offense last season.
Speaking of rookies, Johnson didn’t specify his plans for all of them, but it’s possible this will be a good first look at tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III.
4. Abundance of cornerbacks?
It sure looks like the Bears will have six starter-level cornerbacks when Jaylon Johnson returns from injury.
He’ll start on one side, Kyler Gordon will be at nickel and Tyrique Stevenson is trying to hold off Nahshon Wright and Terell Smith on the other side. Backup nickel Josh Blackwell also has left little doubt he’ll be a starter one day.
Whatever combination of them plays Sunday, it’ll be revealing. The Bears will learn how much depth they really have at the position, and those players’ trade value could surge as well.
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