The Chicago Bears erased a 13-point deficit to win 20-13 in their preseason opener. It wasn’t a pretty affair but there was a lot to like about what the team accomplished. Not to mention plenty to work on. This is exactly what the coaching staff was hoping for. Lots and lots of tape to evaluate. For many of the players? It was the biggest step yet in determined their status on the roster.
Head coach Matt Nagy himself said these preseason games were vital to the evaluation process. Playing well in them would be big in determining who cracks the final 53. After the final whistle on Saturday, there were a number of names who had good reasons to be happy. There were also those feeling considerably more nervous.
Here are the biggest risers and fallers from week one of the preason.
Risers and fallers following Chicago Bears preseason debut
Rising: Rodney Adams
Coaches said that the biggest key for fringe players working to make the roster was to take the good things they do in practice and transfer them over to games. Of all the wide receivers on the Bears’ depth chart, nobody did that better than Adams. He led the team on the afternoon with four catches for 57 yards including a beautiful 25-yard snag that he had to go up and snatch away from the defender. He did have one bad drop in the second half that wasn’t a great look. Still, the recently un-retired receiver showed why he was a 5th round pick a few years ago in Minnesota.
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Falling: Jordan Lucas
The safety position is a deep one for the Chicago Bears defense. That means players hoping to make it can’t afford big mistakes. Lucas was already facing an uphill battle after choosing to opt out last season. He certainly didn’t do himself any favors on Saturday. This was highlighted by a muffed punt return. Special teams was supposed to be one of Lucas’ strengths. So this combined with not standing out much on defense isn’t helping his case. Especially when his primary competition Marqui Christian forced a fumble.
Rising: Duke Shelley
The former 6th round pick assumed the role of starting nickel cornerback last season when Buster Skrine suffered a concussion. It appears that designation hasn’t changed so far in training camp. Shelley helped his own case quite a bit during the game as he led the team with six tackles and also had a really nice pass breakup on 3rd and 4 to force Miami to settle for a field goal. He looked quick, aggressive, and disciplined in his assignments for the most part. The competition is far from over but this was a big step for him in securing that coveted starting job.
Javon Wims got a little excited 😂pic.twitter.com/3IwzJy7Qh2
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) August 14, 2021
Falling: Javon Wims
The former 7th round pick has not had the best past few months. It started with that ugly ejection against the Saints last November. Then in a rematch with New Orleans, he dropped an easy touchdown in the playoffs. Word out of camp is he’s suffered similar issues on occasion during practices. Then sure enough on the first series for Justin Fields in the game, he gets flagged for a false start penalty to turn a 3rd and 8 into 3rd and 13. To top it off? He failed to make a single catch. Wims was already on thin ice before this weekend. Now his roster status is clearly on life support.
Rising: Angelo Blackson
Don’t be fooled by the stat line. Blackson may have only had one tackle, but he was a factor on the defensive line most of the time he was out there. The veteran had multiple pressures as a pass rusher, frequently making the quarterback uncomfortable. He was also a steady presence against the run. Something that has been a regular part of his game for years. This was yet another sign that the Chicago Bears remain remarkably good at finding quality defensive linemen. Blackson should be a solid part of their rotation this year.
Falling: Trevis Gipson
The Bears saw big things in Gipson when they traded up to get him in the 2020 draft. He seemed like a quality pass rush talent who would fit well once he changed his body to more of an outside linebacker. However, his presence in camp to this point wasn’t all that noteworthy. He needed to have a strong game to justify his spot as one of the primary backups to Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn. While he did make a few tackles and had the occasional pressure, it too often felt like Gipson was held in check during his extended time on the field. Not a good look considering he was playing exclusively against backups.
