I didn't get a chance to fully watch the Chiefs-Bears preseason game yesterday (this is what happens when you've already reserved upcoming Thursday nights, Monday nights and full Sundays for football season -- the significant other rightfully books my Saturdays to be focused on her).
But it's Sunday, and I got a chance to watch the full game -- one that didn't feature any of the Bears' starters on offense or defense (probably). Many in the Bears' media disagreed with the move. But I loved it, and explained it in a tweet shortly after it was announced they'd be sitting out.
And now, here are my thoughts on the penultimate preseason game:
1. What a game for Matt Nagy, huh? After deciding to rest his starters and then getting torn apart by many in the Chicago media, Nagy's offensive backups shredded the Chiefs' starting defense, while the defensive backups played a classic Vic Fangio-an game of bend-but-don't-break. While the final score doesn't matter, I bet it still felt pretty good for Nagy, who 'beat' his former mentor and future Hall of Fame coach, Andy Reid. Nagy got the game ball afterwards.
2. If you're a Chiefs' fan, what do you make of yesterday's game? Your defensive starters got steamrolled and your offensive starters, while looking OK, did so against backups. Of course, Kansas City traded their Pro-Bowl cornerback, Marcus Peters, in the offseason, but even for a meaningless preseason game, that couldn't have been a fun trip to Chicago.
3. Chase Daniel has had a very interesting preseason. He looked BAD in the Hall of Fame game and less than mediocre again in relief against the Bengals. But in the last two games, against Denver and now Kansas City, he's looked like a very viable backup quarterback who can execute Nagy's offense. Of course, if anything bad happens to Mitch Trubisky this year, it'll be devastating and the Bears' season may effectively be over. But Daniel's performance hopefully indicates that even if he's forced to play a significant amount of time, the games will at least be watchable.
4. Javon Wims can play -- he's had a very, very good preseason, beating anyone and everyone that's covered him. Not only do I expect him to make the final roster, but I expect him to play meaningful snaps and actually contribute.
I'm guessing that the Bears will keep six receivers, and they will be: Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, Taylor Gabriel, Javon Wims, Josh Bellamy, and of course, former first-rounder, Kevin White.
5. Speaking of Kevin White, good to see him catch his first touchdown yesterday at Soldier Field. He ran a very good route, fooling recently-signed corner Orlando Scandrick on a fake-curl, blowing past him on a go and waltzing into the end zone. Of course, the fact that White was even playing yesterday when most starters sat says a lot about his status on the depth chart. But still, it was good to see him contributing and winning with good footwork / route running. His speed and athleticism was never a question, but if he can continue to show good route running ability, the Bears may still be able to salvage a contribution from him.
6. The Bears' pass rush is SO bad. Isaiah Irving and Kylie Fitts finally *did* something on the stat sheet, notching three sacks between them. But much too often, Patrick Mahomes had all day to find an open receiver (with their first-team offensive line). And the reality is that the Bears' EDGE situation is such that Irving and Fitts are going to be heavy contributors this year against starting caliber offensive linemen. If they don't get better quickly, or the Bears don't bring in a lot of help off the waiver wire ... oof.
7. I was a bit disappointed to see the Bears struggle with short yardage situations. Michael Burton missed a block on a 3rd-and-1, the Bears were stuffed on 4th-and-inches, and then Ryan Nall was unable to punch it in from 3rd-and-Goal at the two. I'd like to see the Bears be more sound with their assignments and, well, stronger at the point of attack when the world knows they'll probably be running.
8. The Bears suffered a few injuries in this game, but you should THANK Nagy that nothing happened to any of their starters. The preseason is too lengthy and it sucks. A lot has to change about it. And I will die on this hill.
9. One of those injuries happened to Jonathan Bullard. The fact that he played 'meaningful' snaps in this game and Roy Robertson-Harris didn't is pretty telling. Bullard has been a disappointment -- he'll make the roster, but expect RRH to get the starting job across Akiem Hicks at the DE position. And hell, from what I've seen this preseason, make Bilal Nichols the first reserve on the depth chart.
10. Who is going to play in the final preseason game next week against the Buffalo Bills? I suppose I start Tyler Bray the entire game -- why risk injury to your primary backup in Chase Daniel? And perhaps feature only Ryan Nall, Taquan Mizzell, and Knile Davis in the backfield. And if something were to happen to Bray, have one of them play QB. Or just punt on first down every time the Bears get possession.
11. Two weeks until the Bears invade Lambeau Field. Can't wait!
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