The dawn of the Chicago Bears preseason is finally here! After months of waiting and waiting, the Bears finally make their way back to Soldier Field to take on the Cleveland Browns for their first matchup of the year! As always is consistent with preseason, don't expect to see a number of starters playing. Rather, take a look at some of the new names on the field, and this should serve as a blueprint for how Ben Johnson intends to run his 2026 Bears.
The Bears' newcomers take center stage in the preseason opener
Though coach Johnson has already indicated that a number of starters wouldn't be suiting up today, it's still an opportunity for fans to take a moment and see the immense amount of effort the Bears have undertaken to put together a new team. Many players that take the field today on both teams have never graced an NFL field before, and for many of them, this is the biggest game of their career.
These three Bears players are specific players to watch today, as they fight for their right to remain on the 53-man roster.
Dillon Thieneman
Thieneman isn't exactly scrambling for a roster spot, given that he was the Bears first round selection in the 2026 draft. The Bears haven't confirmed whether Thieneman suits up or not, but I think it likely that Johnson and Dennis Allen wish to see him out there for live reps. With star safety Coby Bryant sidelined for 4-6 months, it's important for the Bears to be as careful as they can with Thieneman, but that doesn't mean he can't go do his job.
One could certainly argue that it's wiser to keep Thieneman on the sidelines to protect their investment, especially after the Bryant injury. But coach Johnson is a madman, and I wouldn't put it past him to play Thieneman. Even if it's just for the first quarter, the NFL is ready to see what Thieneman can do.
Malik Muhammad
Malik Muhammad has been a standout name heard all over the media surrounding the Bears training camp. Coming out of the fourth round, Muhammad is working hard to show the Bears that he deserves a spot on the 53. With Kyler Gordon remaining on the PUP list, much to the dismay of everyone involved, Muhammad has a stage to showcase his talents.
A strong debut from Muhammad could potentially unseat Gordon for good. The nickel spot is one of the most demanding spots in the Dennis Allen defense, and a good showing from Muhammad could make the difference between a starting job or not. Look for Muhammad's physicality against blockers, and his performance in tight coverage. The Bears have high expectations for the young player. Let's see if he can hold it up in a live-game situation.
Jordan Van Den Berg
Van Den Berg was selected by the Bears in the sixth round, and 213th overall. Van Den Berg's route to the 53 man roster isn't as linear as Muhammad or Thieneman, and it certainly isn't protected the way Thieneman's is. Dennis Allen has publicly praised Van Den Berg's abilities on more than one occasion.
Saturday marks the first opportunity to really peel back the barrier and see exactly how Van Den Berg works. Van Den Berg works toward an interior rotation role, there to add in depth behind Grady Jarret and Gervon Dexter. Though it's highly unlikely that Van Den Berg will win a starting job in this preseason, he'll be wise to maximize this opportunity on a national stage.
All three of these players obviously have a lot on their plate. To us, the fans, these games are sort of a wash. We're excited that football is back, but we're not seeing the stars we're here to see, and it's really only the superfans like us that get anything of real value out of the preseason. But this is the NFL! This is how it goes! It starts out slow, and before you blink, it's Week 9, and you're worried about an injury or a difficult upcoming matchup. For now, Thieneman, Muhammad and van den Berg give Bears fans three compelling reasons to pay attention from the opening whistle.
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