Takeaways from the Bears' Preseason Opener: Standouts, Struggles, and Signs of Promise.
By Shawn Lugo
The first preseason game rarely offers a full picture of what a team will become in Week 1. It's a time for players to get their legs under them, shake off the rust, and start playing competitive football again—albeit in a very "vanilla" version of the playbook. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to learn, especially from young players trying to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
For the Chicago Bears, several names jumped off the screen during their preseason opener, showcasing grit, physicality, and promise—while others showed there’s still work to be done!
My Thoughts on Preseason GM 1 Bears vs Dolphins
Kyle Monangai – Tough Runner with a need for Improvement in Pass Pro
Monangai continues to impress as a ball-carrier. His patience, vision, and physical running style were on full display as he kept his legs churning through contact. However, pass protection is still a concern. Willie Gay blew him up on the opening drive—an area Monangai must improve if he hopes to earn consistent snaps.
Luther Burden – Will always be open!
Burden is emerging as a go-to target on critical downs. His route-running and situational awareness make him a valuable weapon, especially when the offense needs to move the chains.
Noah Sewell – Physical and Disruptive
Sewell made the most of his opportunities and looked like one of the most explosive defenders on the field. He finished with four tackles, including a key tackle for loss on a goal-line stand. His ability to diagnose and explode through gaps was a highlight.
Tyson Bagent – Flashes Potential, Still Inconsistent
Bagent continues to develop and shows flashes of starting-caliber talent. That said, he was “consistently inconsistent” in this one. He missed an open Luther Burden in the end zone and later stared down his first read, resulting in a tipped interception. Still, his poise and command of the offense continue to show progress. The Bears will continue to do their due diligence Tyson has the tools to eventually be a legitimate backup fringe starter in this league. In my opinion.
Austin Booker – Game Ball 🏈
Outstanding Performance
What a showing from the second-year Kansas product. Booker was a menace off the edge, finishing the game with:
6 total tackles, 4 sacks🔥 , 1 forced fumble , 6 total pressures, 79.7 pass rush grade,29.4% pass rush win rate! 💪
Booker added 8 pounds of lean muscle this offseason but hasn’t lost a step. His explosiveness and bend make him a nightmare for opposing tackles. A strong preseason could vault him into a rotational role early in the season.
Biggest Winners Preseason GM 1
Case Keenum – Veteran looked sharp and efficient.
Kyle Monangai – Great running, despite pass pro issues.
Austin Booker – Dominant pass-rushing performance.
Noah Sewell – Physical and aggressive linebacker play.
Ozzy Trapilo – Not perfect, but better than expected.
Cairo Santos – Reliable as ever.
Goal Line Defense – Stonewalled several drives with strong effort.
Biggest Losers This Week
Braxton Jones – Looked rusty. Gave up a sack and had several back-to-back losses in red zone reps. Pass-blocking grade of 44.3 highlights the rough night.
Kyle Monangai (Pass Pro) – As mentioned, needs to improve against blitz pickup.
Dieon Hankins – Found the end zone, but was otherwise underwhelming. Poor vision and hesitation as a runner stood out.
Tre Flowers – Struggled in coverage.
Special Teams Units –Coverage and return teams both underwhelmed. Gave up too many yards on kickoffs and punts, and failed to generate meaningful return yardage themselves.
Additional Notes
Ben Johnson’s energy on the sideline was electric; his presence is making a full impact on The Chicago Bears.
Loved what I saw out of Dr. Ian Wheeler today. He definitely flashed.
The TD catch by Jahdae Walker was absolutely beautiful!
The Bears' defense was flying around aggressive, fast, and physical from top to bottom.
Dennis Allen deserves a tip of the cap for dialing up a full-house blitz with 30 seconds left in a preseason game. That kind of mindset sets a tone.
Up Next: Buffalo
The Bears head into their next matchup against the Buffalo Bills with plenty of momentum and even more to clean up. If Week 1 of preseason showed anything, it’s that this team has talent now it’s about consistency, execution, and roster battles heating up. 🐻⬇️
