What a way to open preseason on the shores of Lake Michigan! Those who thought sitting Caleb Williams and a good part of the starters would turn the debut into a sleepy summer afternoon were surprised.

The Chicago Bears started with difficulties, made adjustments and ended up imposing themselves 34-10 on the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field.

Chicago scored 34 points without reply during the last 39 minutes of the game. It was an encouraging performance due to discipline, the ability to react and the performance of several players fighting for a spot on the roster.

It is preseason and conclusions must be measured, but there was enough material to take note.

I. From the cold start to the offensive reaction

The start did not invite to celebration. The Browns, with Deshaun Watson leading during the first half, struck early and built a 10-0 lead. The second unit of Chicago took time to find rhythm, while Cleveland made better use of their first down opportunities.

After that moment, the game changed completely.

Bagent recovered

Tyson Bagent started with turbulence and threw an interception, but managed to stabilize before halftime. He found Maurice Alexander for a 25-yard touchdown and then connected on two important occasions with Kaden Davis, setting the stage for Cairo Santos to tie the game 10-10 with a 51-yard field goal.

Bagent finished with 13 completions in 22 attempts, 169 yards, a touchdown and an interception. It was not a flawless performance, but he responded after a difficult start.

The experience of Case Keenum

Case Keenum took control during the third quarter and showed what is expected of a quarterback with his experience facing reserve units. He completed 9 of 10 passes for 151 yards, threw two touchdowns and finished with a perfect passer rating of 158.3.

First, he combined with Salvon Ahmed on a 49-yard screen that ended in the end zone. Later, he found Brittain Brown to extend the lead.

The running back Coleman Bennett closed the score with a three-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Keenum was the player who definitely turned the game, although the context matters: a 12-year veteran was facing players who, in many cases, compete to stay in the NFL.

II. The names that took advantage of the opportunity

Kaden Davis presents his candidacy

Kaden Davis participated in only one play with Cleveland last season. On Saturday, he took advantage of the reunion with his former team and finished with four receptions for 88 yards, including an acrobatic 41-yard catch that lifted the stands.

A good afternoon does not guarantee a spot on the roster, but Davis presented a convincing argument within a tight competition for the last spots among the receivers.

Ray-Ray McCloud makes a good first impression

Ray-Ray McCloud III, added just a few days before the game, produced 63 yards on three receptions. His speed and separation were noticeable, especially considering the little time he has had to learn the system.

He still needs to demonstrate consistency and contribute on special teams, but his debut could not have been more timely.

Kromah and Bishop responded in defense

On the defensive line, Jamree Kromah recorded two sacks and generated constant pressure during his opportunities. It was a positive performance for a group that needs to find greater depth in the pass rush.

In the secondary, Beanie Bishop Jr. intercepted two passes, one against Shedeur Sanders and another against Dillon Gabriel. Both plays helped keep Cleveland scoreless during the second half.

The two interceptions do not alone solve the doubts about the secondary, but Bishop did exactly what a player fighting for a spot should do: take advantage of the opponent’s mistakes and convert them into possessions for his team.

III. Discipline was the best news

Beyond the score, one of the most encouraging data was the clean way the Bears operated: they committed only two penalties for 10 yards.

Ben Johnson highlighted after the game the discipline shown in the three phases. He also explained that the coaching staff simplified the plan compared to practices to allow players to act quickly and trust their technique.

In a first preseason game, where false starts, incorrect formations and communication errors abound, limiting to two penalties is not a minor detail.

Johnson also revealed that Caleb Williams and the first offensive group had an extensive session of work before the game. The goal was to practice communication in the huddle, the rhythm and the footwork without exposing the starters to game contact.

IV. The medical report

The victory left several injuries that must be monitored during the week. To them was added the injury of an important player during Sunday practice:

  • Xavier Woods, safety: left the game with an injury in the groin. His situation deserves special attention due to the prolonged absence of Coby Bryant.

  • Ruben Hyppolite II, linebacker: left with a shoulder injury after recording seven tackles.

  • Nephi Sewell, linebacker: was removed to be evaluated for a possible concussion.

  • Nikola Kalinic, tight end: suffered a knee injury during the first half.

  • Kyle Monangai, running back: suffered a hyperextension in the right knee during Sunday practice, when he was tackled from behind by Grady Jarrett. The MRI produced relatively favorable news and did not reveal a more serious injury, but it is expected that Monangai will be out for several weeks. His temporary absence affects a position where he formed, along with D’Andre Swift, one of the best running back pairs in the league in 2025.

There was also a positive news on the offensive line. The Bears activated Ozzy Trapilo from the physically unable to perform list to participate (PUP). The tackle continues recovering from the torn patellar tendon he suffered in January during the playoff game against Green Bay. His activation, barely seven months after the injury, allows him to start working with the team, although it does not mean he is ready to play immediately.

Until more complete medical evaluations on Woods, Hyppolite, Sewell and Kalinic are known, it is advisable to avoid conclusions about the severity of their injuries or their recovery times.

The FanaticOSO note

A victory in August does not deliver trophies and neither does it demonstrate that a roster has all its problems solved. A large part of this performance came with reserves facing other reserves, a reality that must accompany any preseason analysis.

But the result did leave favorable signals.

The Bears overcame a 10-0 start, protected the ball better after Bagent’s interception, caused turnovers and committed only two penalties. The players who needed to make an impression found a way to do so.

That does not guarantee depth of quality during the regular season, but offers the coaching staff better options when making difficult decisions.

The next stop will be Cincinnati. The Bears will have a joint practice with the Bengals on Thursday, August 20, a more demanding and controlled test than a regular practice. Two days later, on Saturday, August 22 at 6:00 p.m. Central Time, both teams will face each other at Paycor Stadium.

The joint practice will allow evaluating the starters against another system, while the game will again focus on the competition for spots and depth of the roster.

This is just beginning, but the first impression was positive.

Bear Down. 🐻🏈