Forget the preseason snooze-fest narrative — Bears vs. Chiefs in Week 3 is where the coaching staff stops pretending and starts cutting. This game isn’t about vibes, it’s about survival. Final auditions, depth chart reshuffling, and roster locks are all on the line.
These five storylines aren’t just talking points — they’re what will define who sticks and who’s packing bags next week.
1. Left Tackle Showdown: Who’s actually worth a damn?
This is the most urgent plotline. The blindside shouldn't be a revolving door — and right now it is for the Bears.
- Braxton Jones starts with the insider nod, but his inconsistency and post-injury concerns remain. Get in the red zone and patience evaporates fast.
- Ozzy Trapilo, the shiny second-round rookie, has been bounced to right tackle, because Coach Johnson bluntly said, “Dude… you’re better on the right.”
- Then, out of nowhere, Theo Benedet storms the scene. Undrafted, under-the-radar, now getting first-team reps — and the coaching staff is eating it up. Benedet’s emergence has kicked Kiran Amegadjie into almost-practice-squad territory.
- PFF grading throws more fuel on the bonfire: Benedet grades 81.7 overall (run-blocking 85.8), Trapilo 68.7, and Amegadjie at 57.0 — rough.
Ben Johnson isn’t sugarcoating: “This isn’t a revolving door… we want one guy to own it.” But since nobody’s locked it down yet, this battle might bleed into the regular season.
Watch for: Can Benedet silence the doubters? Does Jones hold the fort — or crack under pressure from the Chiefs' D? Either way, the winner must walk out with bullseye coverage and Caleb Williams’ back protected.
2. Cornerback Clash: Stevenson vs. Wright – Size vs. Swagger
The Bears’ CB2 opposite Jaylon is up for grabs.
- Nahshon Wright and his 6‑4 wingspan are like a human blanket. He may go down as the tallest corner in franchise history if he nails this. Familiarity with DB coach Al Harris and experience in Dallas boost his resume.
- Tyrique Stevenson brings attitude — plus, he’s got something to prove after the “Fail Mary” mess that cost a W last season. His energy and swagger are the kind coaches want… if he’s consistent.
With Jaylon and Kyler potentially sidelined, these two will get real snaps’ squeeze, especially against Patrick Mahomes & Co. — and whoever ghosts on Friday could end up on the outside looking in.
3. RB Depth: Who’s actually healthy, and who’s climbing?
The RB room’s becoming a horror movie:
- Roschon Johnson is out with a foot injury. Travis Homer is dealing with a calf. Deion Hankins is sidelined again after a leg scare. Madness.
That leaves roles wide open for the backups — and guys like Ian Wheeler and Brittain Brown have been cashing in. Wheeler dragged 80 yards on 19 carries. Brown’s got bruising style in his compact frame, too.
Bears even auditioned vets like Royce Freeman, Kylin James, and Dillon Johnson. That’s not good signaling.
This game is do-or-die: If you can't perform now, your chance for a spot is basically gone. And with Swift locked in, someone needs to prove they’re functional enough to be your early-down and ST guy.
4. Rookie Hype: Loveland & Burden – Ready for the big time?
These two are the Bears' dynamic duo in the making, and both flashed exactly why in last week’s domination of the Bills:
- Colston Loveland hauled in multiple targets with crisp route running and looked every bit the mismatch he’s been in camp.
- Luther Burden III showed off his wheels and toughness with yards after the catch and key third-down grabs.
Friday’s Bow Down: The question now is simple — can they keep it rolling against a Chiefs secondary that’s actually starting most of its real guys? With Caleb Williams confirmed to play, Loveland and Burden have a chance to solidify themselves as more than just flashy rookies. It’s time to prove last week wasn’t a fluke.
5. QB2: Tyson Bagent — Is this finally his coronation?
Right now, it looks like Bagent’s the guy:
- He put up a nice line against Buffalo: 13/22, 196 yards, 1 TD, playing deep into the third quarter — showed poise, athleticism, and timing.
- Keenum? He didn’t even get his helmet on for that game. That silence speaks volumes.
- Johnson’s full of praise for Bagent – “phenomenal,” “smart,” etc.
Now’s the crowning moment. If Bagent lights it up against the Chiefs' defense — which is probably not going to let him slide under pressure — it’s his job. If he sh*ts the bed, this QB2 gig remains up for grabs. But after that Buffalo showing, Bagent isn’t here to stand in the other QB’s shadow anymore.
Quick Recap - TL:DR
| Battlefield | What's at Stake | Key Player(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Left Tackle | Protection for Williams | Jones vs. Benedet (+ Ameg.) |
| CB2 | Lockdown opposite Jaylon | Wright vs. Stevenson |
| Running Back Depth | Backup & ST roles | Wheeler, Brown, others |
| Rookie Integration | Immediate offensive impact | Loveland, Burden |
| QB2 | Backup status & trust | Bagent vs. Keenum |
Final Verdict
This Friday is preseason’s last gasp for the Bears — a win might fill confidence, but clarity is what they actually need. These five storylines aren’t fluff; they’re the threads of Week 1’s tapestry.
Benedet making noise? Cornerback battle really unravelling? Who’s stepping up in the backfield? Can the rookies and Bagent make it look seamless?
If you’re a Bears fan, this is your peak summer episode. If these storylines don’t excite you, then either you don’t care, or you’ve been asleep since OTAs — but hey, I don’t judge.
Get your popcorn; we’re about to see who’s ready — and who’s still playing like it’s OTAs in June.
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