4 Bears to Watch In Preseason Week 1 Against the Bills

4. Collin Johnson

This is a feel-good story. Johnson, a scantly used receiver at previous stops for the Jaguars and Giants, put up 56 yards and two touchdowns in three quarters against the Texans. He and backup quarterback Brett Rypien (166 yards, 3 TDs) were easily the two biggest beneficiaries of the exhibition.

Johnson got some well-earned face time on Hard Knocks and might have a chance at a roster spot. Moore, Allen, Odunze, and 2023 4th-rounder (and camp standout) Tyler Scott are locked in. Could he beat out the likes of Jones, Dante Pettis, and DeAndre Carter? Yes! Will he? Well, he’s one of the few cases where preseason games and general momentum might be enough.

What does Johnson offer as a receiver? For starters, he’s massive. At 6’6”, he offers a big body that can move well enough to make the first special teams tackle of the preseason. Those two qualities may be enough to gain an edge amongst the more standardly sized competition he faces at receiver.

The Williams-Johnson connection (also the header on the wedding invite from your friends in Rhode Island) will likely never be a thing, but three more games like the last and he’ll remain a valuable contributor. He looked great against Houston’s 47th stringers, consistency is what we’ll have an eye on against Buffalo.

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