The Chicago Bears had their joint practice schedule announced by NFL Insider Ari Meirov, with Chicago taking on the Cincinnati Bengals on August 20th. It is a welcome summer test that is going to be telling as to where this new look defense is against one of the league's most capable quarterbacks. Joe Burrow is elite when kept upright, and that will be the case in joint practices, giving the secondary a chance to learn and Dennis Allen a glimpse of what pieces he can trust the most.
For rookie safety Dillon Thieneman, it is a chance to build confidence and measure how close to ready you will be for the regular season. It isn't due just to the talent of Burrow, but the elite receiver duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The pass catchers have a clear argument as the league's best and will give the rookie a chance to test his ability to read the field and react at the next level.
If you're able to slow Chase and Higgins making plays, it is going to be incredibly promising for the season ahead. It isn't just Thieneman, but for Coby Bryant and Chicago's trio of starting corners. To put it simply, there couldn't be a more fitting summer test for a Chicago defense that is going to need time to learn how to play together.
Bears Handing Defense Summer Chance to Get Jump Start on 2026 Season
Joint practices are so beneficial in that they dial up the intensity and want to win. Practice reps can grow predictable, and playing against your own roster can take a bit of the edge off, no matter how competitive of a player you might be. Changing things up towards the end of the summer is ideal, and doing so against an offense of this level turns up the potential impact even further.
Chicago's defense has been shuffled, leaving questions about the safety position after the loss of Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in free agency. Playing against Burrow and an elite receiving duo, even in a slow and simulated environment, has undeniable benefits.
For Allen, it is a chance for the veteran coordinator to gauge the confidence of his secondary and how things could look in Week 1. It will be a far better option than preseason reps when it seems things are even less intense and players are working carefully not to tip anything about the season ahead.
There is something about the heat of summer joint practices that erases this boring outlook and brings the best out of a roster. This is exactly what Burrow and the Bengals are going to do for the Bears; it is a perfect test and sets the franchise for a hotter start to the 2026 season.
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