The Chicago Bears kick off their preseason slate against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday afternoon, which will be the first time seeing the progress that they’ve made so far during training camp.
Head coach Ben Johnson announced this week at a number of starters won’t play in this preseason opener, including quarterback Caleb Williams, meaning backup Tyson Bagent will get the start. No update was given as to the plan going forward in future preseason games.
Outside of the quarterback position, Johnson has not held anyone back out of fear of injury during training camp. This team is on track to be physically and mentally ready for the regular season. Hitting and being hit will be nothing new for anyone. These games mean so much to so many players at camp, but these players need a strong showing the most:
Kiran Amegadjie
The Bears were hoping that Ozzy Trapilo would be their full-time left tackle of the future. Unfortunately for them, he is injured and going to miss time this season. The latest reports are that he may return much sooner than expected, but the Bears are still operating as if he is going to be out. Braxton Jones is the default candidate to be the guy, but Kiran Amegadjie is going to get his looks, starting with this preseason game against the Browns. A good showing in this game and beyond could get him plenty of snaps during the regular season, especially before the return of Trapilo. Right now, the most unstable position on the offensive line is the left tackle, which some consider to be the most important. The rest of the unit is so good that they can afford to see what they have in all of these options.
Jedrick Wills Jr.
Another potential player for the role of left tackle is Jedrick Wills Jr., who will rotate with Amegadjie in the first game. The Browns are actually the team that drafted Wills out of Alabama, and he was with them through 2024. Wills is going to battle hard to make the team out of camp. If he is good throughout the preseason and the rest of camp, it will make him very difficult to cut. With Amegadjie and others all duking it out for the same spot on the team, it’s going to be difficult to stand out, but someone is going to. When it comes to internal battles like this for roles as starters, Johnson is a hard coach to read. There may be someone that he likes at this time, but everyone is going to work for the chance.
Kaden Davis
The Bears have a battle going on for the final spot in the wide receiver room. DJ Moore is no longer on the team, so it is Rome Odunze and Luther Burden’s room to lead with Kalif Raymond, Jahdae Walker and rookie Zavion Thomas getting opportunities. However, a guy like Kaden Davis enters the first game of the preseason looking to make an impact. Davis has been one of the biggest standouts during training camp, making plays on the daily, and a strong showing between now and the end of cuts could make him the final receiver to make the team.
Roschon Johnson
Roschon Johnson has been with the Bears for a few years now, but a lowly showing in the preseason may force him to find a new NFL home. Johnson has brought special teams value, but one new veteran is challenging him for a roster spot. If Salvon Ahmed continues to outperform him during training camp and the preseason, Johnson will be out. Ben Johnson is big into running the football, as he should be, so look for him to keep three running backs. One of these two will be there with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
Tyson Bagent
Tyson Bagent is not going to be the starting quarterback of the Bears without injury to Caleb Williams. That doesn’t mean that he doesn’t need a strong showing in this start against the Browns. Putting good tape out there will be his key to eventually being a starter somewhere else. He has to make teams think that he is more than just a backup in the league. Many believe that Bagent could be one of the best 32 quarterbacks in the NFL, which would mean he’s a starter on a lesser team down the line. This is his first chance in 2026 to make himself look good. Bagent finished Thursday’s practice with a 70-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Davis, who is battling hard to make the team as a Cinderella, and had this to say about it: “Just two D-II cats being guys.”
Dillon Thieneman
Dillon Thieneman had the honor of being the first-round pick of the Bears in 2026. Now, he has to take that opportunity and run with it. With injuries that the Bears have sustained in the secondary — most notably Coby Bryant, who will be out four to six months — he may be even more involved than he thought when he first arrived. This is his first time dressing in a game for the Bears, albeit a preseason game. If he can make it difficult for the opposing quarterback and receivers to complete passes, he will have done his job. The pressure on him here is to be noticeable and instill confidence in Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen.
Garrett Bradbury
Following Drew Dalman shocking retirement earlier this offseason, it left the team scrambling. They had what they thought was an elite center, but he decided to hang up the cleats. The pivot was to Garrett Bradbury for the short term, but he could prove to be a solid player for them on a strong offensive line. Both of his guards are veterans who have been great for a long time, and Darnell Wright is an elite right tackle. All of the camp reporting has been that Bradbury has developed great chemistry with Caleb Williams, which is incredibly important. Bradbury won’t have Williams in this one, but it will be his chance to work on his blocking assignments against live opponents who are trying to get through the line of scrimmage.
Logan Jones
Second-round pick Logan Jones is the rookie center challenging Bradbury. He’s not likely to win the job out of camp, but it’s his position in the future. This preseason game is important for him because it is his first opportunity to put some film together against a real opponent in the NFL, despite it being a preseason game. Jones has all of the tools to be a successful NFL center, and working behind Bradbury for now will pay dividends for him as he continues to develop his game. A strong showing in this first preseason game, regardless of which offense he goes out there with, will make the executives and coaching staff very happy.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 8 Bears who need a strong showing in preseason opener vs. Browns
Reporting by Vincent Parise, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Vincent Parise, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
