‘We’re trending the right direction’ — Bears top rookies show flashes in preseason opener, still need more work before earning Ben Johnson’s trust
Another encouraging step forward.
As the Chicago Bears head into the 2025 season under new head coach Ben Johnson, this team is going to be asking a lot out of the rookie class in more ways than one.
Multiple rookies on both sides of the ball are expected to play sizable roles on this team in Year 1 in a system that already is challenging for any player, regards of how many years you have in the league.
On Sunday, multiple rookies got their first taste of NFL action in the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, including three offensive skill players who started the game in TE Colston Loveland, WR Luther Burden III, and RB Kyle Monangai.
In a Ben Johnson-led offense, trust is key. After the game, the team’s head coach offered some more insight into how those three players are specifically coming along.
“Trust is a strong word. I don’t know if I can say that yet for those three guys,” Johnson explained. “I think we’re trending the right direction. I’ll be curious to see what the tape says because that will go a long way in building that trust.”
Of the three, Loveland played the fewest snaps but managed to catch one pass for eight yards and had a few successful blocks. Johnson noted he wanted to be smart with the team’s first-round selection and just get his feet wet after getting a lot of reps in practice.
“I think there’s a lot of good stuff to learn from the tape,” Loveland said in the locker room after the game. “Just think I can be a little more dominant on some reps or make more plays. You can always be better. That’s the standard I hold myself to and the standard coaches and my teammates hold me to.”
Monangai was the most impressive of the three on the field for the offense. The seventh-round running back had multiple strong runs totaling 30 yards and always seemed to keep his feet churning.
“He’s very downhill,” quarterback Tyson Bagent said of Monangai. “Rarely does the first guy tackle him. He’s always falling forward. That, coupled with the ball security, I think it’s really most of what you would want from a running back.”
As for Burden, the second-round wide receiver, Sunday was an encouraging step. Burden started training camp on a bad note after missing time due to a hamstring injury and then having issues with alignment once returning to the field. Despite the setbacks, he’s still been impressing with his skills.
Against the Dolphins, Burden had a nice reception on third-and-15 to move the sticks on a two-way option route and another big play on a catch-and-run drag to set up a field goal attempt before the half along with some nice blocks.
“He’s working his tail off behind the scenes,” Johnson said of Burden. “He’s with [WR coach Antwaan Randle-El] all the time. I see him at breakfast, he’s asking questions. He’s doing some extra stuff that maybe most don’t appreciate right now. Because of that, we’re starting to see the details tighten up on the field. It’s not where it needs to be, yet, it frankly isn’t. But, I love the way he’s going, I love how hard he’s working. Everything we thought about him in terms of the weapon he is — with the ball in his hands — that’s shown up from Day 1.”
Quick look at some of the other rookies
As far as the other draft selections go, second-round offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo played left tackle throughout the game and held his own in pass pro. Trapilo is competing for the starting job with third-year starter Braxton Jones, who started the first three drives on Sunday.
Fourth-round linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II made some decent plays with the starting defense totaling five tackles, including one for a loss, while adding another on special teams. Sixth-round interior offensive lineman Luke Newman got some snaps at left and right guard.
As for the undrafted rookies, wide receiver Jahdae Walker had the biggest performance hauling in three receptions for 41 yards and one touchdown on a fade route from quarterback Case Keenum, who after the game said he’s beginning to trust Walker after working with him.
Running back Deion Hankins showed some physicality as well on the ground and, “made a great catch” as Keenum added, for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Two rookie draft picks did not play on Sunday in defensive lineman Shemar Turner and cornerback Zah Frazier. Turner suffered an ankle injury early in camp that’s expected to sideline him for a few more weeks. Frazier has missed all of camp so far dealing with a personal matter.
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