The Chicago Bears handled their first preseason assignment, but Saturday’s visit to Cincinnati should provide a far more useful evaluation. Whether the starters receive a full series or spend the night wearing baseball caps, several unsettled areas will be difficult to hide against the Bengals.
Bears will finally receive a legitimate test up front
Chicago’s 34-10 win over Cleveland was certainly preferable to the alternative. Still, the Bears rested Caleb Williams and several other starters, while a lopsided preseason score reveals roughly as much as a motivational quote painted above a locker-room door.
Cincinnati should force Chicago to work considerably harder.
The Bengals rebuilt their defensive front by adding Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen and Boye Mafe. That group could become a nightmare for an offensive line still sorting through questions at tackle.
Braxton Jones recently returned to first-team work, while Ozzy Trapilo is still being eased back into action. Kiran Amegadjie also left Tuesday’s practice with an injury. Ben Johnson may not expose Williams to that group for long, but even a limited appearance would provide a meaningful look at Chicago’s protection.
If the Bears cannot keep the pocket clean, nobody should smash the panic button in August. It would, however, confirm that the tackle situation remains far from settled.
Caleb Williams could receive his first preseason work
Williams sat against Cleveland, leaving Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum to handle the quarterback duties. Johnson has not announced his plan for Saturday, but this appears to be the most logical game for Williams to receive at least a few snaps.
The Bears will participate in joint practices with Cincinnati before the game. Johnson could decide that controlled work against another team provides enough preparation, particularly if the practices become physical.
Cincinnati took a different approach in its opener. Joe Burrow played 13 snaps against Detroit, completing five of six passes for 39 yards in a 16-14 victory. If both starting quarterbacks appear Saturday, the matchup will become considerably more interesting—even if their nights last approximately seven minutes.
For Williams, the final statistics would be irrelevant. Chicago needs to see clean communication, quick decisions and an offense that avoids wasting plays before the snap.
Chicago’s depth will have another chance to separate itself
The Bears erased a 10-0 deficit by scoring 34 unanswered points against Cleveland. That reflected well on the bottom half of the roster, where several jobs remain available.
Wide receiver is among the most crowded competitions. Kaden Davis, Maurice Alexander, Scotty Miller and Ray-Ray McCloud are fighting for limited space behind Chicago’s established options. Another strong showing could force the Bears into an uncomfortable decision when final cuts arrive.
Running back also deserves attention following Kyle Monangai’s knee injury. The second-year back is considered week-to-week, creating additional opportunities for Chicago’s remaining runners. The Bears need to determine who can be trusted behind D’Andre Swift, especially if Monangai’s absence stretches toward the regular season.
The final score will again be disposable. Chicago’s performance against a deeper and more talented Cincinnati roster will not be. The opener produced optimism. Saturday should reveal how much of it deserves to survive.
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