The Chicago Bears are 2-0 this preseason following their Week 2 win over the Seattle Seahawks. This time, they got the win on the road in one of the NFL’s toughest venues albeit for an exhibition. The Bears were without starting running back David Montgomery but did get Cole Kmet back. This game also saw a surprise adjustment to the starting offensive line which could have a long-lasting impact on this team’s future.
But we know what to expect, or what is expected, out of both of them. Which players have done the most through two exhibition games to adjust their outlook?
5 Bears That Helped or Hurt Their Cause in Preseason Week 2
1. Riser – Trevon Coley
If you asked someone to guess who the Bears’ sack leader through three games was, it would probably take them a while before they landed on the correct answer, Trevon Coley. The fifth-year defensive tackle has flashed through two preseason contests with three sacks to lead, not just the team, but the entire NFL heading into the weekend.
Coley notched a pair of sacks in the Bears’ preseason-opening win over the Kansas City Chiefs and followed it up with another in Thursday’s win over the Seattle Seahawks.
From turf to QB, @TrevonColey stays with it and records a sack. @ChicagoBears
📺: #CHIvsSEA on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/duqkxIEtbt pic.twitter.com/z4jQR1H6FE— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2022
The Bears list the 6-foot-1, 310-pound Coley as “other” on their training camp depth chart. And all of his reps have come with the reserves. But he is still making the most of his opportunities which offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said was a goal for everyone on the team.
2. Faller – Trevis Gipson
On the opposite end of the spectrum from Coley has been what third-year EDGE Trevis Gipson has put on film to this point in the preseason. This is supposed to be a big year for Gipson with Khalil Mack now with the Los Angeles Chargers. And, being that it is just Week 2 of the preseason, it very well may be.
But he would almost certainly like to have this rep back.
Goodness @Seahawks OL Abraham Lucas rolling one up!!!! pic.twitter.com/q3KPCu4wBk
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) August 19, 2022
The obvious silver lining is that this has not been the norm for Gipson. And the defense is not exactly schemed up as it might be during the regular season nor are the starters playing a lot.
3. Riser – Isaiah Coulter/Dazz Newsome/Nsimba Webster
It is difficult to separate any of these receivers right now – and really most of the receiving corp. But the trio of Isaiah Coulter, Dazz Newsome, and Nsimba Webster are all in the same boat. If they do manage to stick around in Chicago, it will most likely be on the practice squad.
But they are probably auditioning for their next opportunity elsewhere.
Coulter leads the group with five receptions for 51 yards. But Newsome has caught a touchdown and both he and Webster offer more wiggle in the return game, though, the former has muffed two punts.
4. Faller – Michael Schofield
Veteran offensive lineman Michael Schofield came in with the proper attitude after being signed right before camp opened. He even seemed to have a direct path to the starting right guard job. Instead, the most lasting image of his Bears tenure is going to be him getting bowled over by Chiefs Pro-Bowl defensive lineman Chris Jones.
Payers for Justin Fields this season 🙏
This OL….pic.twitter.com/OTjcpw864s
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 13, 2022
As we pointed out following that game, Jones does this to a lot of opponents and will do so again.
But Teven Jenkins’ quick ascension and acclimation to the starting lineup could thwart any momentum Schofield had before getting beaten by Jones and then missing practice during the ensuing week.
5. Riser – Luke Getsy
Getsy’s scheme is taking hold and it is evident in how varied his playcalling has been. We can quibble over the results, but none of the quarterbacks have appeared to be lost in this system, searching for where to go with the ball. Even if you don’t like Justin Fields’ propensity to leave a clean pocket, appreciate the decisiveness.
There is variance in the areas of the field that Getsy challenges within any given drive as well. That was a significant hindrance to his predecessors.
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It is clear what the Bears want to do and it is based on the strengths of the personnel on the field. Again, rudimentary stuff. But it was an unknown when Getsy was hired until we got to see it in game action.
Bears Week 2 Risers & Fallers
The Bears will wrap up the preseason again the Browns before the regular-season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. They have been okay so far this preseason. They will have to be much better to get a win in Week 1 of the regular season.
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