After a month and a half of training camp and preseason, the Chicago Bears are making final preparations for the regular season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. These are two teams at very different stages in terms of expectations. The 49ers are coming off of a loss in the NFC Championship game and just three years removed from losing Super Bowl LIV. San Francisco won their last meeting 33-22 in Week 8 of last season.<\/p>\n
They are, however breaking in a new quarterback after relegating Jimmy Garoppolo<\/a> to backup this summer.<\/p>\n The Bears have the more experienced starting passer in Justin Fields<\/a>. But just about everything else is in flux beyond him and his top three weapons — tight end Cole Kmet<\/a>, running back David Montogomery, and wide receiver Darnell Mooney<\/a>. A reshuffled offensive line still features Cody Whitehair<\/a> at guard and Sam Mustipher<\/a> at center (for now).<\/p>\n But this year’s Bears squad figures to feature at least two new faces on the offensive line and possibly up to three this season — before we even get to offseason signee Lucas Patrick<\/a> — including our first item to keep an eye on in the Bears opener on Sunday.<\/p>\n Rookie left tackle Braxton Jones has met every challenge head-on a passed every test to this point. On Sunday, that could look very different and still be true. Jones will be taking on one of the NFL\u2019s best EDGE rushers in Nick Bosa<\/a> who, among other traits, boasts incredible playing strength and motor.<\/p>\n Jones has not been put into the fire as he will against the San Francisco 49ers. The Bears faced the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks in the first two weeks of the preseason. Neither team boasts an especially strong rush. They did face the Cleveland Browns in the finale. But starters Jadeveon Clowney<\/a> and Myles Garrett<\/a> both sat out.<\/p>\n Bosa recorded 15.5 sacks last season (two against the Bears) and led the league in tackles for loss with 21 while also notching 32 hits on the quarterback and forcing four fumbles.<\/p>\n The 6-foot-5 Jones can only face who lines up against him and has performed well ever since he arrived at Halas Hall. Expect the Bears to give the fifth-round pick some additional help against the two-time Pro Bowler, either with chip blocks or by going away from his side.<\/p>\n 10 year NFL QB Chris Simms tells us what his confidence level is in Justin Fields coming into the season. I\u2019d give the exact same number 1-10. Do you agree Chicago? #DaBears<\/a> #Bears<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/HWebzJOshe<\/a><\/p>\n — Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) September 4, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n5 Things to Watch for in Chicago Bears Regular Season Opener<\/h2>\n
Braxton Jones vs Nick Bosa<\/h3>\n
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