The Chicago Bears came away from the preseason Week 2 meeting with the Seattle Seahawks victorious and with plenty of takeaways. Not in the literal sense – the defense did not come away with a single turnover in this game despite facing some questionable quarterback play on the other side.
But we did get a boatload of information on several questions from training camp; some longstanding and others brand new.
4 Takeaways from Bears Preseason Win vs SEA
1) Hitting the Quadfecta
It’s not as though the Bears are short on scintillating storylines. Nor are they very difficult to come across. So, when we did our “What to Watch For” piece ahead of this game, it did not require the most intensive research.
Still, to have all of the storylines show up early and often was far from the expectation when the piece was published.
From the blocking in front of Justin Fields being questionable to the constant mentions and visuals of Roquan Smith, the game saw the Bears touch on all four points that we highlighted including the wide receiver shuffle as Isaiah Coulter finished the game as the team leader in receiving yards with 39 while Nsimba Webster led with four receptions.
.@VelusJr turned on the burners 💨
📺: #CHIvsSEA on ESPN pic.twitter.com/CsBd8jRRj7
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 19, 2022
2.) Velus Jones Settles In
Rookie Velus Jone Jr’s NFL career go off to a less-than-stellar start. The third-round selection fumbled the opening kickoff after returning it, though, he was able to recover it himself. That came on a punt return, though.
Perhaps there is still room for another return man to step up and split duties with the talented rookie who acknowledged it is a strength of his.
There is also an expectation for him to be used all across the offense.
But he only had one catch that went for four yards on two targets in a game where the Bears racked up 172 receiving yards as a group. However, if his progress from his first game to his second goes anything like returning kicks, Week 3 versus the Cleveland Browns could be a veritable breakout for the former Tennessee Volunteer.
Didn't get to watch the whole game, but #Bears players I think boosted their stock today:
• Teven Jenkins
• Dominique Robinson
• Isaiah Coulter
• Cole Kmet
• Trevon Coley
• Jack Sanborn
• DeMarquis Gates
• Velus Jones Jr.
• Nsimba Webster— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) August 19, 2022
3.) Teven Jenkins Starts at RG
Okay, so we already took credit for all four “WTWF” points getting hit – largely within the first quarter, no less. But there was a mention in there about Teven Jenkins’ potential move to right guard, a story we have been all over during training camp. The blurb cast doubts on the possibility that Jenkins could crack the starting lineup with so little practice at guard.
Welp, he did just that and acclimated himself quite well.
Jenkins admitted to NBC Sports Chicago’s Josh Schrock that he still has “some bad things to clean up”, but added that he felt he did well.
He was arguable better than that all things considered. But it will be important for him to follow up such a strong effort with another in the preseason finale for however long he is on the field. He and fellow second-year lineman Larry Borom both played heavy snaps on Thursday.
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4) Bears Depth
One thing that has become clear through two preseason games is that first-year general manager Ryan Poles has done a good job of creating competition across the roster. This will only benefit the Bears as they replenish the depth that all championship rosters lean on throughout the year.
Consider how many former Bears remain on the street and how many of those that are signed did so with a team that hired a former Bears coach or executive.
During the broadcast, the crew highlighted offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s comments that one of the Bears’ preseason missions was to place all their guys on NFL rosters even if it’s not ultimately with them.
Cupboards are often bare whenever a regime change takes place. But it at least appears that the Bears fast-tracking the process this offseason is already paying dividends as their backups have looked better than both the Chiefs and Seahawks’ reserves.
Bears Takeaways
The Bears close out the preseason on the road against the Cleveland Browns. It is unclear how much, if at all, the starters will play. But what has been obvious as camp and the preseason have progressed is the schemes are taking. The defense was early to the party, showing out from the jump in camp.
But the offense has shown its identity over these two preseason contests.
Now, the Bears have to clean up all of their execution and procedural issues. They will soon be facing opposing game plans. They will be geared toward taking away their strengths in the run game and the secondary. The Seahawks did rush for 96 yards.
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