Tyson Bagent as the starter and an ongoing LT competition headline the Bears’ top players and position battles to watch vs. Dolphins
These players need to show out.
The Chicago Bears are one day away from the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field.
Head coach Ben Johnson confirmed on Friday that up to nine starters on both sides of the ball will not be playing in this game after getting plenty of quality reps during the joint practice.
That sets up a lot of opportunities for other players on the roster looking to stand out and prove themselves to the coaching staff. Here are some of the biggest names (and battles) to watch.
Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum (QB2 Battle)
The Bears QB2 battle is an interesting situation and in a perfect world, Caleb Williams starts all 17 games and neither quarterback see the field for meaningful snaps. However, if worst comes to worst, the Bears need to know which quarterback they can trust to put on the field if Williams goes down.
Case Keenum, the 11-year vet, obviously has much more experience as both a starter and emergency player off the bench to step in mid-game. Tyson Bagent, brings more to the table when it comes to his athleticism. The determining factor is how well either player can run Ben Johnson’s offense.
With Williams not playing on Sunday, Bagent gets the first crack to test drive this scheme through the first-half off the game, followed by Keenum. It’ll be interesting to see if the rotation switches next week and if Williams even plays.
Braxton Jones and Ozzy Trapilo (LT Battle)
Following Kiran Amegadjie’s leg injury that’s left him sidelined this week, the left tackle battle has turned into a two-man race between incumbent starter Braxton Jones and rookie Ozzy Trapilo.
Both players continued to rotate between the first and second-team offenses this week during individual and team drills. During the joint practice against the Dolphins on Friday, Jones and Trapilo got some work in with all three units with Theo Benedet mixing in as well.
When it comes to the game, Johnson confirmed Jones, Trapilo and Benedet will “cycle through” on field at some point so the coaches can properly assess multiple players in live situations on both sides. For Johnson, it’s clear what he’s looking to see.
“To me, it’s consistency,” Johnson explained. “It’s who’s making the least number of mental errors? I think I said in the springtime, tackles, to me, have to be able to pass-protect one-on-one on a regular basis and win those one-on-one matchups. Guys that are out there that we’re not having to be conscious of with the play call to give them help all the time, that would be ideal. Certainly not the case everywhere I’ve been. Over the years, you’ve had to help them out with the play calls. But those guys that can block a defensive end one-on-one, they’ll be really at a premium.”
Roschon Johnson and Kyle Monangai (RB2 Battle)
Based on everything we’ve heard from the head coach, seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai is in a great spot going into the preseason. Ben Johnson referred to Monangai as a player the team can trust this fall, which isn’t something Johnson says lightly.
When it comes to Roschon Johnson, however, the team’s head coach hasn’t said much about him all offseason. Johnson has still received a high share of carries with the second-team offense. On Tuesday, during the team’s most physical practice yet, Johnson got a lot of goal line work and stacked a few touchdowns but hasn’t practiced since due to a foot injury.
This preseason game should give us a better idea of what the roles will actually look like for both backs, depending on Johnson’s availability. If Johnson can’t go, expect Monangai to start and get a lot of work in during the first-half. Being able to protect the quarterback, catching out of the backfield, and converting on tough runs will be the areas to watch.
JP Richardson, Miles Boykin, and Tyler Scott (WR6 Battle)
A little known battle, but one that could have some significance when it comes to deciding some final spots on the 53-man roster in a few weeks. There’s no guarantee the team keeps six WRs on the roster going into the season, unless one continues to show out and prove himself on special teams.
JP Richardson, the UDFA out of TCU, has continued to look like that kind of player throughout the first few weeks of training camp. He’s certainly pushing for a roster spot but can Miles Boykin or former fourth-round selection Tyler Scott show out on Sunday and in the other preseason games?
Again, not a major pendulum swinging battle for the team as a whole, but all three players will see a lot of snaps in the preseason. We’ll see who makes the most of it.
Noah Sewell, Ruben Hyppolite II, and Amen Ogbongbemiga (LB3 Battle)
Arguably one of the most important battles on the defensive side of the ball. Finding the third-best LB is a major decision for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. While the team plans to run a lot of 5/6 DB packages, there will be times when three LB sets are needed.
Rookie Ruben Hyppolite II impressed throughout the spring showing off his speed, but Noah Sewell has been shining more often since pads came on and leading the race for the SAM position.
Hyppolite’s skillset fits best as a backup MIKE or WILL given his speed factor, something I’m particularly eager to see on the field in a real game. As for Amen Ogbongbemiga, if he can make some plays defensively and on special teams in the preseason, the team could look to keep five LBs.
Nahshon Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith, and Nick McCloud (CB2 Battle)
The CB2 battle has turned into a big situation to follow after Dennis Allen confirmed it’s an open competition. With Jaylon Johnson sidelined multiple players have been able to mix in and show what they can do pressing on the outside.
Nahshon Wright has notably gotten the most work with the first-team defense followed by Tyrique Stevenson and Terell Smith. Rome Odunze even talked about how much of a challenge it is to go up against Wright given his size and agility.
On Tuesday, Ben Johnson had high praise for Stevenson’s approach going into a big Year 3. Another name to watch is Nick McCloud, whom Allen mentioned last week. He’s been around the ball a lot.
Chicago Bears News
‘He’s taking this seriously’ — Tyson Bagent gets set to test-drive Ben Johnson’s offense in preseason opener against the Dolphins
The third-year QB is set to lead the offense on Sunday while Caleb Williams and other starters sit out.
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