The Chicago Bears had a tough preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, falling 27-9, on Saturday night. Their starters played the first series, but not long enough to make any sort of impact on the game. Most importantly, nobody got hurt.
Would the final score have been different if each team used their main starters for the entire game? Of course. With that said, it is fair for the coaching staff and the fans to be upset with how this game went. None of the positional battles were solved, or even close. If anything, a few players earned themselves cuts before anyone solidified a spot.
There is another joint practice along with one final preseason game this week against the Tennessee Titans, but watching film and learning from this experience will also take place. When you break down each side of the ball, you can grade the team like this:
Offense: D
Chicago’s offense was not good. They only mustered up enough to land themselves three field goals and were held without a touchdown. Other than that, they didn’t make any impressions. They get a D because of an F because of the fact that they didn’t sustain any injuries in a game that doesn’t count. Caleb Williams and the projected starters did play one series. Williams completed 2-of-5 passes in nine reps. Of course, it was a small sample size, but there was one throw he’d like to have back when the real games begin. After Williams and the starters departed the game, there wasn’t much that stood out. The left tackle battle is far from complete, but it’s clear that the position is lacking until Ozzy Trapilo returns. None of the depth WRs or RBs made enough of an impact to warrant any conclusions. Backup quarterbacks Case Keenum and Miller Moss couldn’t get anything going.
Defense: D
Starters or not, Chicago’s defense was simply not good enough in this one. Much like the offensive positions, there are still questions about the depth in the defensive backfield. Is anyone going to step up in a big way and force themselves into the rotation? After observing this game, it’s hard to tell. In 2025, they led the league in takeaways by a wide margin. With the departure of certain players along with natural regression, it is a worrisome subject with the Bears. If their defense doesn’t improve in terms of keeping the opponent off the board, their chances of getting back to the playoffs will slowly decrease. They gave up a lot of points to second-string players, but that can’t be an excuse for them. However, it keeps them from getting an F instead of a D. There is time to work on some of the issues that faced them in this game. Adding more talented starters to the mix will make a difference.
Special Teams: C
The most important thing for special teams, if they aren’t making big-time plays that contribute to the score, they must simply do their jobs. The kickers need to make their field goals and drive the ball down the field, the punters need to set up their defense, and the returners need to help the team have better field position without turning the ball over. In this game, they were not spectacular, but they were far from the reason that the game ended with a loss. Cairo Santos having a game without a missed field goal would be nice, but he connected on 3-of-4 field goals, including a miss from 53 yards, but he accounted for the only nine points that the Bears scored. Once the regular season begins, there will be more defined roles, which will set everyone up better for more success.
Coaching: C
Ben Johnson and his staff are unlikely to be the reason the team loses. Every coach makes a tactical mistake here and there, especially late in games when things are more intense, but the Bears won’t be at a head coaching disadvantage at any point in 2026. After a game like this, in the regular season, you look at how the head coach could have managed things differently. In the preseason, however, you have to understand that what they are trying to accomplish now won’t match their goals when the season begins. The coaching isn’t going to get anything higher than a C after that type of blowout loss, preseason or not, but it won’t be lower due to the uncertainty of the roster being used for any particular exhibition game.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears report card: How we graded Chicago in preseason loss to Bengals
Reporting by Vincent Parise, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Vincent Parise, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
