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Updates from Week 4
Quarterbacks
The hype around Justin Fields is likely to simmer down after Sunday's lackluster performance. Fields had shown glimpses of brilliance against the Titans and reportedly excelled during a week of joint practices with the Colts. However, he found himself struggling against Buffalo's solid defense, completing just 2-of-6 passes for 51 yards. Forty of those yards came from an underthrown ball that DJ Moore skillfully caught and turned into a highlight-reel play. Fields managed to evade pressure and deliver a nice ball to Khalil Herbert that was unfortunately dropped, but overall, he seemed rattled by the Bills' pass rush. While there was optimism that Fields would significantly advance as a passer this year, Saturday's outing suggests that he may experience some highs and lows. Meanwhile, Tyson Bagent turned in another strong relief performance. Though not as impressive as his game against the Colts, it was enough for the Bears' front office to release P.J. Walker. The QB2 competition is officially over, and Bagent has secured the job.
Running Backs
Rumors had been swirling early in the week that the Bears might be interested in trading for a disgruntled Jonathan Taylor. However, those rumors were put to bed by Sunday. While the Bears continue to insist that Khalil Herbert is their RB1 for now, his mediocre showing on Saturday has narrowed the gap between him and Roschon Johnson. Herbert had an unfortunate drop on his only target and amassed a total of -1 yards on two carries. Johnson, on the other hand, has consistently shown prowess in pass-blocking and led the team with nine rushing attempts, even snagging an 11-yard reception. His growing role in the passing game makes him an intriguing fantasy option. D'Onta Foreman also had a promising but limited role, although he left the game with an undisclosed shoulder injury. Speculation is rife that Foreman might be a surprise cut, but given his preseason performance, that would be shocking.
Wide Receivers
DJ Moore continues to shine. In the limited preseason action we've seen, Moore has turned two inaccurate passes into game-breaking plays. Against Buffalo, he scooped a low ball off the ground and broke free from tackle attempts to rip off a 51-yard play. He's living up to the hype and is unquestionably the No. 1. Darnell Mooney has had a quiet preseason as the presumptive No. 2, catching just 3-of-7 targets for 37 yards without a touchdown. Chase Claypool, who has been nursing a hamstring injury, warmed up before the game against Buffalo and seems on track for Week 1. These three are expected to be the primary trio to start the season. Tyler Scott, a fourth-round pick with a projected role on special teams, is almost guaranteed a roster spot after his impressive kick return on Saturday. His rise puts Velus Jones' receiving role in jeopardy, especially given Jones' history of muffed catches and an injury-limited preseason. Jones will need to hold on to the returner job.
Tight Ends
Cole Kmet's position as the team's TE1 is rock-solid, especially with his new contract. However, his impact was minimal in Saturday's game, dropping his only target. While he's a well-rounded tight end, he may struggle to attract a significant target share behind the team's trio of wide receivers, making him a low-floor fantasy option. Robert Tonyan Jr also saw his first game action since the preseason opener against the Titans, and he didn't impress. After a strong week of practice, both tight ends underperformed, which may result in them cannibalizing each other's fantasy value.
Defense
The Bears defense is filled with young talent, but the unit currently lacks cohesion. Trevis Gipson was the highlight of Saturday's game but shockingly demanded a trade almost immediately afterward. Tyrique Stevenson impressed again with a spectacular interception. Tremaine Edmunds, the Bears' most noteworthy free agent acquisition this offseason, made his debut against his former team and looked out of place. Hopefully, he'll adjust by Week 1 because Saturday was dismal. While the defense has generally looked strong during training camp, they were exposed by a formidable opponent. Josh Allen had little trouble marching down the field, and James Cook found ample running lanes. Although drawing sweeping conclusions from one preseason game is risky, Saturday served as a wake-up call for fans hoping for defensive improvements in 2023.
Returners
Velus Jones Jr is locked in as the team's kickoff returner, but some struggles on punt returns during the preseason have opened the door at the position. His top competition was Dante Pettis, who just went on injured reserve and is out of the running, but the team could still add another option before the season.
Updates from Week 3
Quarterbacks
Justin Fields had a highly productive week of practice, particularly highlighted by his 9-for-9 performance with three touchdowns on Thursday. Fields focused on releasing the ball quickly, aligning with the offseason priority. However, joint practices with the Colts turned a bit contentious, leading the coaching staff to decide to rest Fields for the game. A late hit during practice, despite Fields wearing a non-contact jersey, could have influenced this decision. P.J. Walker started but was quickly replaced after 11 snaps. Undrafted free agent Tyson Bagent took over and looked fantastic. While it's important not to overemphasize a single preseason performance, many reporters are predicting that his outing was enough to launch him up the depth chart to No. 2. Expect him to receive more opportunities in upcoming preseason games for further assessment.
Running Backs
With Khalil Herbert sidelined Roschon Johnson had the chance to showcase his abilities. Johnson continued to excel in pass-blocking and posted seven carries for 32 yards, along with an 11-yard reception. His consistent performance suggests he could challenge Herbert for a substantial workload in his rookie season.
Wide Receivers
DJ Moore has firmly established himself as a standout, with reporters frequently using descriptors like "jaw-dropping," "beautiful," and "amazing" for his catches. An impressive deep sideline catch against the Colts left the coaching staff in awe. Darnell Mooney has regained his speed this year and noticeably bulked up. While Moore is the top dog, it’s unclear who will remain on the field for 2-receiver sets, but Mooney’s experience makes him a likely candidate. Chase Claypool has been dealing with an injury since last week’s preseason game. All three starters got this week’s game off. Velus Jones missed the entire week of practice and preseason outing, potentially endangering his roster spot.
Tight Ends
Cole Kmet's hands, which posed issues early in his career, have been reliable throughout camp this year, including some eye-popping one-handers. Like the rest of the starters, Kmet got the game off, along with Robert Tonyan Jr and Marcedes Lewis. Stephen Carlson and Lachlan Pitts were the only tight ends to see snaps in the game, but both remain long shots to make the team.
Defense
The Bears were cautious in resting veterans like Eddie Jackson, Jaquan Brisker, and Tremaine Edmunds last week. Kyler Gordon, a standout in last week’s game, looked great in practice with the Colts, breaking up passes and intercepting passes. Jaylon Johnson had a good week matching up against the Colts’ Michael Pittman and kept him mostly at bay. Rookie Gervon Dexter hasn’t had many first-team reps but has excelled with the second team and should see his role grow. With most of the starting unit absent, Terrell Lewis seized the opportunity to distinguish himself, potentially solidifying his spot on the roster.
Offensive Line
In joint practices with Indianapolis, starting center Cody Whitehair sustained an injury to his right hand, which is the one he uses to snap the ball. Doug Kramer is getting most of the first-team reps at center, with Lucas Patrick unavailable. Left guard Teven Jenkins is expected to miss six weeks with a leg injury. Logan Stenberg was also signed after being cut by Detroit. It is not clear whether Whitehair will be available for Week 1. But even if he is, this group needs to improve in pass protection. The unit ranks 27th despite a surprisingly strong 10th-place standing in run blocking.
Updates from Week 2
Quarterbacks
As noted last week, a priority for the Bears has been guiding Justin Fields to opt for check-downs and embrace easier throws. This approach was evident in Saturday's preseason game against the Titans, where Fields went 3-for-3 with 129 passing yards and two touchdowns on -8 air yards. While his impressive stat line is appealing, it doesn't tell the whole story. Fields came close to missing DJ Moore on a wide-open screen, and it was Moore's athleticism that turned an errant throw into a long touchdown. Additionally, the catch-and-run touchdown by Khalil Herbert may not have been an extraordinary feat by Fields, but it was significant that he chose the available check-down option. A knock against him in his first two years was a penchant for either tucking the ball or letting it rip downfield. Taking the easy throw is a great step in his development. Fields is surrounded with a good supporting cast this year, and playing within the confines of the offense will be best for him and the team. P.J. Walker, Nathan Peterman, and Tyson Bagent all got reps in the game, too. However, nothing noteworthy came from any of them. However, none of them delivered any noteworthy plays. For most of the game, the Bears heavily relied on their run game, aiming to test the new offensive line. Walker is anticipated to be the team's No. 2, and his style of play closely resembles Fields'.
Running Backs
In our previous update, we highlighted that “something that was nearly non-existent for the Bears in 2022 (targets to running backs) appears frequent so far.” In their initial preseason outing, this manifested with six targets to running backs. Khalil Herbert took his one target for a 56-yard touchdown. Granted, there was a block in the back, and the defense played it terribly, but passing-game usage and big plays could really raise Herbert’s ceiling. Fourth-round rookie Roschon Johnson led the backfield in snaps and looked very good. He was buried behind Bijan Robinson at The University of Texas, but many scouts saw promise in him as a pass-blocker and tackle-breaker. He excelled in both roles on Saturday while also hauling in three of four targets. D’Onta Foreman and Trestan Ebner had limited involvement, but Foreman appears to be the favorite for securing a spot on the final roster. Travis Homer should make the final roster, thanks to his role on special teams.
Wide Receivers
After some standout practices, Chase Claypool suffered an injury. He spent practices on the stationary bike on the sideline and didn't participate in the preseason game. There are murmurs that he might not play at all during this preseason, which would be a significant setback for the receiver corps. Darnell Mooney, despite returning to practice last week, was held out of the first preseason game, likely as a precautionary move. Last week, we noted that “DJ Moore is as good as advertised.” And that was on display in the preseason opener as Moore took a not-so-well-thrown screen to the house for 62 yards. He only played three snaps before hitting the bench. To say he has quickly acclimated to the offense would be an understatement. And while Moore’s touchdown shows up on his stat line, the offensive line deserves credit for the play, too. Velus Jones Jr led all receivers with 34 snaps on Saturday. Unfortunately, he didn’t do much with those snaps and could end up on waivers once rosters are finalized.
Tight Ends
Cole Kmet got the start on Saturday but played just seven snaps, four of which came as a run-blocker. Kmet, fresh off a big extension, is versatile and can stay on the field in any down or distance. While he has skills as a receiver, his strengths as a blocker could potentially limit his fantasy upside as he’s kept in to pass protect. Robert Tonyan Jr played sparingly, too. Their roster spots are all but secured. Marcedes Lewis likely makes the final roster, too.
Kickers
The notion of a kicking competition in Chicago disappeared when the team released undrafted rookie kicker Andre Szmyt last week. Although there's a possibility that Szmyt could end up on a practice squad, the idea of the Bears opting for an undrafted rookie over Cairo Santos and saving three million in cap room can be dismissed.
Defense
Last week, we highlighted Jaquon Brisker, Kyler Gordon, and Jaylon Johnson as the young trio to watch in Chicago. If Saturday's preseason game serves as an indicator, expect rookie Tyrique Stevenson to join that group. Stevenson was a ballhawk on Saturday, making plays at every level of the field. Gordon lit a defender up on the first play of the game, knocking the ball loose. His 87.3 Pro Football Focus grade led the defense. Brisker and Johnson got game day off. The biggest weakness is the defensive line, yet Trevis Gipson looks revitalized after a quiet 2022 campaign. With newly signed Tremaine Edmonds and T.J. Edwards getting the game off as well, Jack Sanborn stepped back into a starting role, which he excelled in last year. He started on Saturday but looked bad in his limited role. Expect him to make the final roster but only as a rotational piece. The defense has some exciting young players but is far from a finished product.
Returners
Receiver Velus Jones Jr, who began last season as the Bears' primary punt and kickoff returner, will likely regain both roles after addressing his fumbling issues from the previous year.
Updates from Week 1
Quarterbacks
Justin Fields’ development has been the biggest buzz of camp so far. After being primarily a rusher through his first two seasons, he is making a concerted effort to stay in the pocket and pass more. Many reporters are talking about his increased confidence and leadership abilities. Except for one practice, the offense has been besting the defense seemingly every day. P.J. Walker is the backup and will not see the field in 2023 without an injury to Fields.
Running Backs
Khalil Herbert is the backfield’s top dog. He’s been getting a lot of snaps with the first team and is involved in the passing game more than many projected. Fields is checking down more than he has in previous years, and Herbert is regularly open in the flat. Rookie Roschon Johnson has been out for most of camp with an undisclosed injury. When he did return, he had some impressive blocking reps but has yet to show much in the offense. New-signed D'Onta Foreman is in the rotation as well. He, like Herbert, has been surprisingly active in the passing game. Something that was nearly non-existent for the Bears in 2022 (targets to running backs) appears frequent so far.
Wide Receivers
Early reports are that DJ Moore is as good as advertised. He’s the standout WR1, and the connection between him and Fields was apparent almost immediately. Darnell Mooney, who missed the camp opening, returned, and looked healthy. He has regularly won his reps and will likely be the team’s WR2. He and Fields connected almost immediately upon his return in 11-on11’s for a big play. Chase Claypool, who was extremely disappointing in his stint with Chicago last year, is another name regularly showing up with glowing praises. He has been used as a vertical threat and on some crossers, showcasing some versatility that we have yet to see in his NFL career. He has also been a red-zone favorite, despite struggling historically with contested catches. Rookie WR Tyler Scott could find himself getting snaps early on as the team’s WR4 behind Moore, Mooney, and Claypool. Scott has been drawing much praise and beat Jaylon Johnson on a deep route in Wednesday’s practice. But he has also struggled with some drops. Either way, his play will likely get him some early-season opportunities. Velus Jones probably won’t contribute much but has been used on some gadget plays.
Tight Ends
Cole Kmet was given a massive extension, and his role as a pass-catcher remains intact. There was some buzz that Robert Tonyan Jr would relegate Kmet to more of a blocking role. But Kmet, who led the team in targets last year, is still found by Fields often. The Bears signed Marcedes Lewis on Friday. At this point in his career, the 39-year-old Lewis will be used almost exclusively as a blocker. His signing will have very little impact on Kmet or Tonyan. Tonyan said about Lewis: He took me under his wing.” He’s expected to help mentor the young talent along with his role as a blocker.
Kickers
Cairo Santos has competition as the team signed rookie free agent Andre Szmyt in June. Cutting Santos would save the team $3 million in cap space, but he was one of the players who led the team out of the tunnel at Fan Fest. He missed five extra points last year but had a strong season on field goal attempts, going 21 for 23. Szmyt has a strong leg and could be a practice squad candidate if Santos wins as expected.
Defense
Defense: Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, and Jaquan Brisker are the names to know on this defense. A young and talented trio in the secondary who have made Fields’ job difficult thus far. Gordon has been in the backfield pressuring Fields while also getting interceptions. He’s moved to nickel and is reportedly thriving in that role. Jaylon Johnson has struggled a bit in coverage this offseason. We’ll see soon whether he has lost a step or if the Bears’ WR corps is better than advertised. Coming off an impressive rookie season, Brisker has been a name that consistently pops up as a play-ruiner. Whether it be contesting balls, blitzing, or stuff runs, he appears to be building off a successful Year 1 campaign. However, he has missed some practices with undisclosed injuries. Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards, the Bears' freshly inked LB duo, have yet to impress so far. Edmunds has been dealing with some injuries. Additionally, Jack Sanborn has been held out with injuries. The lack of healthy LBs could explain the offense’s prowess so far. The Bears made a splashy move on Thursday, signing DE Yannick Ngakoue on a one-year deal. Almost immediately after the signing, Eberflus said he expects him to be an “every-down player.” The pass rush was the biggest weakness on defense, and he will step into an immediate starting role. Veteran Eddie Jackson missed a lot of 2022 with an injury but has praised the unit’s development this offseason.
