The Bears first preseason game is over. It proved to be thrilling and provided even more hype for this young team. Here are the players who I thought improved their stock and those who declined based on Saturday's action.
Risers
Justin Fields: This is simple. Justin got better at the quick game, showcasing it with passes to teammates DJ Moore and Khalil Herbert. He also extended plays, just like he's always done. If he couldn't do that, the Khalil Herbert touchdown wouldn't have happened. A fantastic start for QB1.
DJ Moore: DJ took his first reception as Chicago Bear 62 yards for a TD. The throw was on time but not perfect. Little low and behind but Moore adjusted with ease and showed off his speed and playmaking ability. Trading the first round pick seems to be worth it.
Khalil Herbert: Justin Fields scored another touchdown thanks to Herbert's impressive playmaking skills. The 2023 Bears depth chart was released earlier this week, placing Herbert as the top running back (RB1). He backed this up against the Titans, reinforcing the team's decision. I've always been a big believer in Herbert and I'm anticipating a great season from him.
Trevis Gipson: Another surprising development on the Bears 2023 depth chart was finding Trevis Gipson buried at the very end. He obviously didn't like this and had an impressive performance on Saturday. He consistently stayed in the Titan's backfield and managed to generate more than at least 5 of pressures on his own. He also recorded a sack. Let's hope he can maintain this level of performance.
Kyler Gordon: Get ready for an impressive second year as Gordon gears up for a breakout season. He's already wreaking havoc with two massive hits on Saturday. One of these led to a fumble, although the decision was later overturned. He was everywhere though. It's clear that Kyler is settling into his role in the nickel position.
Trenton Gill: The Bears have their franchise punter. I'm half-joking, but honestly, the guy is fantastic. He once again had an impressive performance against the Titans.
Tyrique Stevenson: The rookie cornerback was all over the field. His strong physical presence was clearly evident. He managed to deflect a pass close to the sideline, which could have easily turned into a pick six if he comes down with it. It's quite likely that he will be a definite starter in week 1.
Honorable Mentions: Darnell Wright, Terrell Lewis, Zacch Pickens, Cario Santos, Travis Bell, Micah Baskerville and Roschon Johnson.
Fallers
Velus Jones Jr: It seems unlikely that Velus will be handling punt returns for the Bears in the near future. His muffed punt on Saturday indicates that he might not be cut out for it. I get that he wanted to take a chance and make a play but you have to let that one go. The arrival of Tyler Scott has definitely increased the competition. So I know he's feeling the pressure. But Velus must improve fast if he wants to secure his spot on the roster by week 1.
Tyler Scott: Just as Scott seemed to be making progress on Velus, he was was hit hard after a completion and ended up coughing it up. It's only the first preseason game, but there are limited chances to prove yourself. I'm pretty confident that Scott will secure a spot on the roster, but I'm hoping to see more impressive plays from the rookie.
PJ Walker: His first throw was picked off. It was ugly. Maybe a miss communication but still not a great look. I am a big fan of the signing of Walker given the similar playstyle to Fields and chemistry with DJ Moore. I just thought he would preform better.
If you want a full breakdown of the Bears first preseason game vs the Titans, check out the latest episode of the BFR podcast.
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