The Bears didn’t win, they didn’t lose, and honestly, they probably don’t care. But if you watched that 24–24 preseason tie against the Dolphins and didn’t come away buzzing about a few guys, you either weren’t paying attention or you were too busy waiting in line for overpriced beer.
Ben Johnson’s Soldier Field debut didn’t give us a W, but it did give us a handful of players who looked ready to punch someone in the mouth for a roster spot — and maybe even for a starting role.
Here are the five guys who left their cleat marks all over this game.
1. Austin Booker
Let’s get this out of the way: Austin Booker was not just “good” — he was a one-man demolition crew. Three sacks, three tackles for loss, four QB hits, and a forced fumble that flipped the game on its head. I don’t care that it’s preseason — that’s production no matter who’s on the other side.
The strip sack on Quinn Ewers inside Miami’s 5-yard line was pure filth. Booker went from zero to “oh God, someone block him” in about a second, ripped the ball loose, and watched Power Echols scoop it up like it was gift-wrapped. Two plays later, Case Keenum hit Deion Hankins for six, and the Bears had life.
The best part? Each sack came with a different move. Bull rush for one, spin move for another, straight-up overpowering a tackle for the third. That’s not a fluke — that’s a bag of tricks.
Ben Johnson called him a “menace” afterward, which is coach-speak for “yeah, this guy’s making my final 53 and probably wrecking lives in Week 1.” Booker’s still only 22, has bulked up this offseason, and is shaping up to be the ideal No. 3 edge behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo.
2. Noah Sewell
Every defense needs that linebacker who treats the end zone like sacred ground. Noah Sewell played that role to perfection on Miami’s first drive. Fourth-and-goal from the 1. Jaylen Wright gets the handoff. Sewell comes screaming through the gap and buries him for a three-yard loss. That’s not a tackle — that’s an eviction notice.
Sewell finished with six tackles (tied for team lead), a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble. More importantly, he looked comfortable in Dennis Allen’s downhill, attack-first scheme. This isn’t the guy we saw stuck on special teams the past two years. This is the guy Oregon fans swore could be a thumper at the next level.
With the way he played, Sewell’s not just fighting for the third linebacker spot — he’s putting real pressure on the guys in front of him. That goal-line stand? That’s tape you put on a loop in the linebacker room.
3. Case Keenum
Tyson Bagent’s first half had some nice moments but also a few “yikes” throws. Then Case Keenum came in and basically said, “Relax, kids, this is how it’s done.”
8-for-10, 80 yards, two touchdowns, 139.6 passer rating. That’s surgical, even if it was against backups. His 15-yard fade to Jahdae Walker was vintage Keenum — drop it right in the bucket where only your guy can grab it. His other TD to Deion Hankins came after he spun away from pressure and delivered on the run like a guy who’s been doing this for over a decade.
You can tell why the Bears wanted him — not just to hold a clipboard for Caleb Williams, but to be that calm, reliable QB who can step in if disaster strikes. If this is a competition for QB2, Keenum just pulled ahead.
4. Luther Burden III
Two catches, 29 yards, and a whole lot of promise. Luther Burden III didn’t have a monster stat line, but he showed exactly why the Bears took him in the second round.
His first grab — a third-and-15 conversion from Bagent — was all about crisp route running and finding the soft spot in coverage. Later, with the half winding down, he hauled in a 13-yarder, got out of bounds, and set up Cairo Santos for a 57-yard bomb. That’s heads-up football most rookies don’t make in their first game.
Burden has the quickness to live in the slot and the strength to fight through contact. And let’s be real — with Keenan Allen gone, the Bears need someone to fill that void. Burden looks ready to start making that case.
5. Cairo Santos
Cairo Santos has been “Mr. Reliable” for years, but not really “Mr. Long Range.” That might be changing.
As time expired in the first half, Santos drilled a 57-yard field goal that would’ve been good from 60. That’s two yards beyond his career long. For a guy who’s been questioned on his leg strength, that was a mic-drop moment.
Yeah, Jonathan Kim kicked in the second half, but unless Santos starts missing chip shots, this job isn’t up for grabs. And if he’s now a legit threat from 55+, Ben Johnson just added a new weapon for crunch time.
Honorable Mention: Kyle Monangai
Kyle Monangai made an impressive NFL debut, demonstrating the physical running style and vision that made him a standout at Rutgers despite falling to the seventh round. The rookie running back led the Bears in rushing with 30 yards on six carries, averaging 5.0 yards per carry while showcasing his ability to break tackles and pick up yards after contact.
His most impressive carry came on a 13-yard run where he muscled through a tackle and displayed his signature cutback ability and vision. Ben Johnson praised the rookie’s effort, saying, “I thought Kyle ran super hard when the ball was in his hands.” The former Rutgers star nearly scored his first NFL touchdown, powering to the 2-yard line before being stopped short.
While his pass protection still needs work, Monangai seized his opportunity with D’Andre Swift resting and Roschon Johnson sidelined, showing he can be a physical, between-the-tackles runner in this offense.
Final Verdict
It’s preseason, sure. But this wasn’t just a bunch of guys running vanilla plays and avoiding injuries. Booker looked like a problem, Sewell like a roster lock, Keenum like the perfect safety net, Burden like the future in the slot, Santos like a kicker with a little extra juice, and Monangai like a rookie who’s hungry to carve out a role.
The Bears still have holes, but these guys? They’re the kind of players who can turn a “meh” roster into a “we’re in every game” roster.
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