Don’t let anybody fool you. Preseason games may not count. That doesn’t mean they don’t matter. These contests go a long way in helping teams determine how to structure their rosters, especially the back end. The Chicago Bears went into Saturday’s tilt against the Cleveland Browns with several roster battles to sort through. Not only did they win the game, but they also got some answers to those questions. More than a couple of them were unexpected.
Here is an updated list of the players who are leading their respective competitions, why this is the case, and how strong their grip is with two preseason games left to play.
The Chicago Bears saw major movement at several positions.
Left tackle: Ozzy Trapilo
By far the biggest plot twist of the entire offseason. Initial projections had Trapilo maybe missing the entire 2026 season recovering from his patellar tendon tear in January. It somehow went from that to being activated off the PUP list on August 16th, with four weeks still to go before the regular season opener in Carolina. That could be enough time for him to get back up to speed. He obviously won’t play in the preseason, but four weeks of training camp practice should get him in good enough condition. Then it becomes about how the knee feels after full-contact practices. At the rate this is going, it’s his job to lose. Braxton Jones got hurt again, while Kiran Amegadjie and Jedrick Wills failed to stand out against Cleveland.
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
Running back 3: Salvon Ahmed
Much of this hinges on priorities. Roschon Johnson has held the Bears’ third-string running back spot due to his value as a power runner and special teams prowess. However, his constant health issues are something the team can’t ignore. Meanwhile, Ahmed put together a strong argument against Cleveland, running hard and with considerable burst. He also showcased a receiving element that Johnson really doesn’t offer. For an offensive-minded head coach like Johnson, that versatility will be preferable in the grand scheme.
Wide receiver 6: Kaden Davis
This one is tough because Scotty Miller is a veteran with more proven experience and has also looked good. It’s just that Davis has stood out much more. His name popped up a lot in training camp over the past two weeks. Then he goes into the opener and posts 88 yards in the first half. Add his return experience on special teams, and it’s hard to bet against him at this point. He’d have to really lose steam over the next few weeks to lose his grip on that sixth and presumably final wide receiver spot. That said, the competition is fierce. Not just from Miller, but also Maurice Alexander and now Ray-Ray McCloud.
Defensive tackle 3: Jordan Van Den Berg
The Chicago Bears were aggressive in improving their defensive tackle depth this year. Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett remain the expected starters. The uncertainty was who’d be the primary guy to rotate in with them. Veteran Neville Gallimore felt like the early favorite after a solid 2025 in Dallas. James Lynch was another underrated addition. However, Van Den Berg just seemed to take training camp by storm. He dominated 1-on-1s and kept flashing in team drills, even after being moved to the starting unit. When this carried over into the Browns game, the truth became undeniable. There is no way they can justify keeping him off the field.
Strong side linebacker: Jack Sanborn
Noah Sewell still hasn’t returned from his Achilles injury. Devin Bush is locked in at weak side linebacker, while D’Marco Jackson appears to have secured the middle. That leaves the strong side. Ruben Hyppolite would be the choice here after the strong performance he put on Saturday, but he left that game with a shoulder injury. This marks the second time he’s been injured during a game. Sanborn may not be the caliber of athlete Hyppolite is, but he’s experienced, smart, and durable. At this point, that is something the Chicago Bears will likely be willing to settle for.
Cornerback 4: Malik Muhammad
Kyler Gordon’s continued absence has made that fourth cornerback even more important. There is a good chance whoever occupies it will see lots of action. Now that Cam Lewis is forced to play safety with Xavier Woods hurting his groin, you can expect to see Malik Muhammad a lot. He wasn’t perfect against Cleveland, but he showed lots of promise. He’s athletic, plays with intensity, and doesn’t shy away from contact. Right now, the team clearly trusts him as the primary reserve. However, keep an eye on Beanie Bishop. Despite his late arrival at camp, his two interceptions in that game certainly gave him a boost.
