The most important findings from the joint training of the Bengals and Bears
The Chicago Bears hosted the Bengals for a joint practice before their game in the second week of preseason training in Chicago.
The countdown to the regular season continues and the Chicago Bears face a tough challenge on Saturday against a strong Cincinnati Bengals team. Despite practicing together on Thursday, coach Matt Eberflus said the starters will play on Saturday, which should give rookie quarterback Caleb Williams valuable playing time in Week 2 of the preseason.
A lot of decisions will have to be made in the next few weeks. The newly formed offense still needs to get into its stride, several key positions still need to be filled and there are roster cuts ahead. This week’s game will be crucial for what the squad will look like.
Now, with that said, let’s analyze the five most important storylines ahead of the Bears vs. Bengals matchup.
1. Can the Bears carry the momentum from last week’s win into this week?
The Bears look different this year. A significant roster shakeup that included a change of guard at the most important position in football, quarterback, helped, but by that I also mean a change in mentality and discipline level. The proof of that is on the field; Chicago largely outperformed both of its preseason opponents, with starters leading by example and backups following suit. Wins and losses are unimportant in the preseason, as we all know, but the Bears’ high level of play thus far sends a clear message: They are ready to win in 2024.
The Bengals are looking to dent Chicago’s growing confidence, so Saturday will be a crucial test for the navy and orange. It’s important for the Bears not to rest on their impressive play. Cincinnati is a battle-tested team that has been to the playoffs several times in recent years, and if they’re not careful, they can knock Chicago off quickly. The Bears need to stay prepared and bring the same energy and focus they used to beat the Bills last week. Chicago has the talent to compete with the Bengals – it’s up to them to capitalize on that talent and play a complete football game this week.
2. How long will the starters play?
As important as the preseason is for the unproven players trying to secure a spot on the roster, fans aren’t settling into a chair to watch the backups play. We football-mad fans take every weekend off to catch a sneak peek at our favorite team’s starting lineup as it takes the field, savoring every snap before retreating to the sidelines to give the backups a chance. It’s no different for Bears fans, who were immediately intrigued by the 2024 version of the team last week against the Bills. The starters only played a few drives last Saturday before their day was over, so everyone’s biggest question entering this week has to be, “How long will the starters last this week?”
Well, first off (see what I mean by that?), head coach Matt Eberflus has confirmed that the first team will play against the Bengals, which is a good start. Given that confirmation, it’s safe to assume the core players will play longer than they did last week, as the intensity typically increases as the preseason progresses. One can further extrapolate that this week’s game will be Chicago’s dress rehearsal for the season, as the Bears will uniquely play four preseason games this year. In the classic four-game preseason format, core players get extremely little playing time in the first two games, much more playing time in the third, and hardly any playing time in the final game. This method of controlling the first team’s workload has been used frequently to prevent major injuries before the regular season.
Bears tight end Cole Kmet was asked Thursday how long he thinks the starters will play. He estimated it will be about a quarter, which is consistent with the extended playing time typically seen in the third preseason game, though he clarified that he wasn’t sure. Overall, it’s safe to assume the Bears’ starters will play much longer than they did last week, as Saturday’s game will be their final preseason warmup. Regardless, the collective excitement among fans that the first team will play longer this weekend is palpable, and that will make for some fun on Saturday afternoon.
3. Who will stand out in the key position battles?
There’s no doubt that the main attraction of the preseason is the starters in action. The second most interesting aspect of the preseason? The position battles, of course.
The battle for starting positions is ongoing throughout the roster, with several candidates having real chances at their respective titles. Competition exists at defensive end, center and right guard, with less pressing positions like backup quarterback and running back also up in the air. After training camp and two preseason games, rookie Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy have emerged as defensive end, while Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton stand out as centers. Even right guard, where Nate Davis is slated to play, has not been decided. But Bates will be considered “week to week,” giving Shelton and Davis a chance to solidify their jobs. Additionally, Brett Rypien and undrafted rookie Austin Reed are competing for the third quarterback position, and receiver and current running back Velus Jones Jr. and undrafted rookie Ian Wheeler are battling for the final running back spot.
The players in these competitive positions have just two preseason games and a couple of weeks of training camp left to prove themselves. For these players, it’s not just about first and second place. First place can mean significant playing time in the regular season and beyond, while second place could mean the loss of a roster spot. Who comes out on top in these races will become clearer after Saturday’s game.
4. Will the young players continue to be productive?
Many of the players competing in these position battles are, surprisingly, younger players; rookies and second-year pros who combine undeniable talent with a level of discipline that is uncommon for their age. The rookies have completely outshone their experienced counterparts in some cases, using their few plays in extremely efficient ways. It is rare to see so many rookies make such an impact, so the question must be asked: can the younger players continue their impressive play?
They’ll be tested right from the start, as Chicago has two high-profile rookies in its ranks looking to deliver another solid performance. Williams looked strong in his first NFL appearance last week, demonstrating a calmness not seen in a Bears QB in a long time. Receiver Rome Odunze didn’t appear on the scoresheet at the end of the game, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort. The cameras on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” caught Odunze’s efforts to work his way into the offense, but he and the rookie passer couldn’t come to an agreement. Along with the two headliners, promising newcomers grace the roster: Receiver Collin Johnson turned heads in the Hall of Fame Game by catching two touchdowns; Now it was Wheeler’s turn to score some points against the Bills, which he did on the ground, and second-year pro Micah Baskerville caused the only turnover of the game by intercepting a pass and returning it for his own touchdown.
At least in the preseason, it’s “new school” instead of “old school” and it will be interesting to see if that trend continues in the Bears’ third preseason game.
5. Who will make the biggest play of the game?
Prep games are difficult to interpret. When a big play happens, several variables come into play: Did the player make a great play or did his opponent make a big mistake? Does a quarterback throwing four touchdowns in one day mean he had an incredible game or did he simply take advantage of playing against backup players? There’s always something to consider when these big plays happen, but even preparation can’t take away from the cool factor of a big play. A diving catch for a huge gain, a powerful run that sends several defenders into a frenzy, a pinpoint throw to the corner of the end zone for a score – that’s the spirit of the game.
So which Bears player will be the focus of Hard Knocks next week based on a jaw-dropping highlight? I’d say Odunze. He didn’t get a chance to show what he could do, and a long pass from Williams to Odunze for the goal hit all the right notes for me. I can’t say why. Even if Odunze doesn’t make the best play of the game, whoever it is, he’ll be the talk of Chicago next week.
