Tyson Bagent (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears won the 2024 NFL preseason with a record of 4-0. What does that mean going forward? Not a lot. But how they got there may have some significance. Tyson Bagent seems to have nailed down the backup QB job with a solid performance against the Chiefs. While his starts weren’t overwhelming, he passed the eye test. Bagent went 3-6 for 57 yards. He also ran once for a five-yard TD. Even the Bears third and fourth string QBs looked good.
Brett Rypien followed Bagent and put up good numbers, going 9-13 and 106 yards. Rypien had a TD called back because he was well past the line of scrimmage. That wasn’t really a case of great field awareness.
Undrafted after his career at Western Kentucky, Austen Reed looked good in a mop-up role, throwing the Bears’ only TD pass, a six-yard toss to TE, Tommy Sweeney. Sweeney also had a great sustained block on a Velus Jones sweep.
Despite a good game, Sweeney has an uphill climb to make the roster.
Velus Jones is making things interesting
Jones ran for 101 yards in 13 carries, including a 39-yard TD run. If he can hang onto the ball, he’s a threat. It seems like Jones will make the roster after seemingly being on the bubble going into the preseason.
Tyler Scott took advantage of the Bears top three WRs sitting out the game. Scott was targeted nine times and caught six passes for 99 yards. Once again, the quality of competition wasn’t very good, but it was a good showing for Scott. Scott also ran once for 17 yards.
Big picture, there seems to be plenty of depth
The Bears reserves have consistently outplayed their opponents reserves this preseason. Last night was no exception. The Bears secondary has extraordinary depth. Last night, rookie QB, Reddy Steward picked off two passes, returning one for a TD. Steward may or may not be on the Bears opening day roster. The Bears may actually lose some players because of having so much depth. That’s a huge departure from recent seasons.
There hasn’t been a lot of talk about the Bears’ offensive line. That’s because in large measure, the line has done a good job of pass protection, as well as opening holes for the running game.
Larry Borom suffered an ankle injury in the victory, but it’s uncertain how this will impact him or the Bears going forward.
The defensive line got some help
The Bears have been searching for another edge rusher and filled that needed by trading for Seahawks LB, Darrell Taylor. Taylor was a second-round draft pick in the 2021 draft. He amassed 21.5 sacks in three seasons in Seattle. The Bears sent a sixth round 2025 draft pick to the Seahawks in exchange for Taylor. Bears’ GM, Ryan Poles is no doubt still on the prowl for ways to help the 2024 Bears team.
