Edward Cabrera made his return to the mound for the Chicago Cubs in Sunday’s series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field, and unfortunately, it was more of the same from the right-handed pitcher. Cabrera, who last started for the Cubs on June 23, when he suffered a left leg injury, could not last beyond the fourth inning, leaving after 3.2 disappointing innings. Yet, it’s what happened after the 11-4 loss that was even more annoying.
There have been whispers in Chicago media about how easy Cabrera will look to make excuses, and well, he had another when speaking to reporters on Sunday. The right-hander allowed seven runs on six hits, including a two-run home run in the first inning. He walked three batters, only struck out two, and when asked what didn’t go well against the Cardinals, Cabrera said he was dealing with a blister.
Via Marquee Sports Network.
“The blister. That’s what affected me in the last inning. I tried to battle through it, but I couldn’t finish the inning.”
“I started to feel it early on, but during the last inning is when it got bigger, and like I said, I tried to battle through the inning, but I couldn’t finish.”
The blister was on Cabrera’s right middle finger, which has been an issue for the pitcher already this season. Back in May, Cabrera left in the middle of a start against the Milwaukee Brewers with the same blister problem, resulting in a stint on the 15-day injured list. So, I won’t sit here and say he’s making shit up, but the annoying part comes when Cabrera says he had the blister in the postgame, but apparently never let anyone on the team know until he was already out of the game.
Cubs Edward Cabrera said a blister was coming on during his outing ,but he didn’t tell Craig Counsell or any of the coaches until he was removed from the game in the 4th inning. He was wearing a band- aid on his finger in the post game media conversation.
Cabrera was asked if he felt confident about making his next scheduled start, to which he said that as always thinking positively, he didn’t believe this blister issue would prevent him from missing a start.
However, Cubs manager Craig Counsell wasn’t as certain and said, “We’re going to have to talk about that.”
In 15 starts for the Cubs in 2026, Cabrera has posted a 5.68 ERA, 1.45 WHIP with a 20.4 K% and 9.7 BB% over 76 innings. He’s still throwing hard, but compared to his 2025 season, all of his numbers are considerably worse. The Cubs traded for Cabrera with visions of him being a playoff starter, but right now it’s looking more like he’s a liability in the rotation, and considering the way other pitchers have performed, Cabrera could be losing his spot.
Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back Salvon Ahmed (36) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
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.
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.
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.
Bears rookie defensive tackle Jordan Van Den Berg pressured Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.
In the week leading up to the Chicago Bears‘ preseason opener, the name that was the talk of training camp was Jordan Van Den Berg. While other members of the 2026 draft class looked good too, it was the 6th round pick from Georgia Tech stealing headlines. He was dominating one-on-one drills to such an extent that coaches felt compelled to give him reps with the starting defense. It was the kind of rapid rise that just doesn’t happen for late-round picks like that. Was it a mirage? The Bears aimed to find out against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday.
They weren’t disappointed.
Van Den Berg played 16 total snaps in passing situations on defense. Much of it was in the 1st half against some of Cleveland’s starters. It didn’t matter. The rookie still managed three pressures on the quarterback. The scary part was that he still looked like a rookie from a technical standpoint. It didn’t matter.
Jordan van den Berg doesn't even know what he's doing yet and still had 3 pressures on 15 snaps yesterday
Van Den Berg was flying around the field, never giving up on plays. One of his most notable came when the Browns hit a big screen play that set up their only eventual touchdown of the game. At first, it looks like a perfectly executed play. Then you look back at the replay, and you realize they probably got away with a hold on Van Den Berg, who was surging up the middle.
Jordan Van Den Berg would’ve made Stone Cold Steve Austin proud.
The WWE icon built his reputation on sowing as much chaos and anarchy as possible. It made him unpredictable, and opponents fear unpredictability. Van Den Berg plays that way. His aggressive mindset allowed him to disrupt Cleveland’s blocking on several plays, interrupting their flow. While he may not have shown up on the stat sheet much, his presence was still felt. That is a big reason why the Bears drafted him. They didn’t have anybody who could do that last season.
What makes Jordan Van Den Berg so unique is the way he plays. While his hand technique needs work, he already plays with a low pad level. That is something so many younger players don’t fully understand. It was a big problem for Gervon Dexter when he first arrived. Yet Van Den Berg does it naturally. This makes him much harder to block because offensive linemen can’t get good leverage on him. Combine that with his natural power and explosive athleticism? You can see why coaches were eager to get him in the draft.
How Van Den Berg got here is a fascinating story.
When you watch him play, it feels like he should’ve easily been a top 50 pick in the draft. Players with that capability never fall to the 6th round. It makes you wonder what happened during his stint with Penn State. Van Den Berg spent three years with the program. For some reason, he never cracked the starting lineup. This is why he chose to transfer to Georgia Tech. They promised him actual playing time. He turned that into an excellent 2025 season, which helped him get drafted at all.
Whatever the case, the Bears are counting themselves lucky. If he had stayed at Penn State and emerged, there is no way he would’ve fallen that far. Van Den Berg already looks like a steal, and he hasn’t even touched his full potential yet. If he does, we’re looking at what this team had with Tommie Harris. Explosive, relentless, and mean. No doubt this game will only build his confidence further.
Sep 25, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport (92) rush off the field against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears made zero notable moves at edge rusher in the offseason, preferring to focus on the interior defensive line. Lots of people weren’t happy about that, believing they’re putting way too much faith in Austin Booker staying healthy and Dayo Odeyingbo looking any better than he did before tearing his Achilles last season. However, it seems their stance may have softened slightly, perhaps at the behest of defensive coordinator Dennis All. The Bears brought in a face he’s quite familiar with.
Marcus Davenport was a 1st round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2018. Big, strong, and athletic, he had all sorts of potential. Allen ended up developing him into a dynamic rusher. Davenport had 9 sacks in just 11 games in 2021. Unfortunately, things went wrong after that. He disappointed in 2022, left as a free agent the following year and hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Between 2023 and 2025, the defensive end has missed 37 games. It ranged from a severe high ankle sprain to a torn triceps in 2024 and a chest injury last season.
Still, the Bears have decided to bring him in for a visit.
Veteran DE Marcus Davenport visited the #Bears today.
Dennis Allen doesn’t need Davenport to be the main guy.
That is the key to remember here. The Bears have their two starters with Booker and Montez Sweat. Odeyingbo will rotate in that mix too, but he’s primarily a run defender who will shift inside on passing downs a lot. They still need somebody else who can give them a handful of quality rushes every game. Davenport might be a good fit for that role, which would reduce the wear and tear on his body. He is still only 29 years old, and most of his injuries have been to the upper body.
The frustrating part from his perspective is that Davenport has been effective when on the field. Across the pass three seasons, he has 287 rushes. He has 21 total pressures on the quarterback from that. That includes 3.5 sacks and 7 quarterback hits. If you get that kind of production from a rotational pass rusher, you’re doing well as a defense. Dennis Allen knows this. He wouldn’t need Davenport to be a hero. Just line up 150-200 times this season and get after the quarterback.
Don’t overlook another key factor.
Davenport was also a really good run defender when he played for Allen in New Orleans. The Bears have struggled to stop the run. Having another big body with his power certainly wouldn’t hurt. All of this comes down to the medicals and how Davenport looks in the workout. If the team doesn’t believe he could hold up to the rigors of Ben Johnson’s physical practices, or they feel he’s not conditioned well enough, then it won’t matter. Still, the potential he could bring, even as a part-timer, would be helpful.
One can’t help but wonder why it took this long to make a move. Perhaps they wanted to see what they had in camp with their younger guys. Give them a chance to make an impression. Now that they have, the team believes another veteran body might be the ticket. It’s not like Davenport will be expensive.
Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Jamree Kromah (59) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears signed Jamree Kromah as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He’d had a difficult climb in his college career, failing to accomplish much in three years at Rutgers before transferring to James Madison. He finally had a breakout season in 2023, racking up 10 sacks and 19.5 tackles for a loss. There was lots to like about him. He had good size, a hot motor, and plenty of strength. With further development, he could turn into a legitimate NFL defensive end. While he didn’t make the roster, Kromah was stashed on the practice squad.
That is where he stayed for the next two years.
People mostly forgot about him in that time. They saw him as a side project the team tinkered with but had little use for outside of practice. So you can imagine the shock when the 2026 preseason arrived and Kromah dominated the opener against Cleveland. He had 6 pressures, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, a recovered fumble, and a critical tackle for a loss that forced a turnover on downs. It was a stellar performance. What stood out was how quickly he was getting off the ball, something that hadn’t been his strength in the past two years.
Jamree Kromah followed the path of a former Bears hero.
Adult fans are likely to remember the name Israel Idonije. Chicago brought the Canadian-born player in as an undrafted rookie in 2003. Over the next few years, he carved out a home on special teams, but the Bears always saw untapped potential as a pass rusher. That is when the coaches decided to try something. They asked Idonije to cut a significant amount of weight. Having been 275 lbs up to that point, he dropped down to 260 going into the 2009 season. The flashes started showing more often, and in 2010, he broke out for 8 sacks.
After the game on Saturday, Kromah revealed that he did the same thing this offseason. Having played at 275 as well through his first two years, he’s reportedly lost 20 lbs to a sleek 255. That is why he looks quicker and more explosive. Even head coach Ben Johnson has seen it.
“You see it in the springtime, the new techniques we’re coaching with and he’s flashing, but you wonder if this is when he turns it on. In a game like this, you see the get-off, the relentlessness, and you feel his presence every snap. The D-linemen were hooting and hollering for him because they see him making plays. He’s such a hard worker who’s been in the program for a minute, so seeing him have success on the field is huge.”
Safe to say he has the coaches’ attention. They’ve seen progress in practice and now in a game situation. The final test is the most difficult. Can he carry it through the rest of the preseason?
“This is the best I’ve felt.” 🔥
Jamree Kromah on how getting stronger and losing 20+ pounds in the offseason has helped him this preseason: pic.twitter.com/xrYraW7Bd3
There is a legitimate opportunity in front of him.
The Bears have a desperate need for pass rush help. Outside of Montez Sweat and Austin Booker, nobody stood out last season. Dayo Odeyingbo is back from his Achilles injury but remains an unknown quantity. Shemar Turner won’t return from his torn ACL for some time. Daniel Hardy is a great special teams player, but a limited rusher. Jamree Kromah has a window. The Bears left it wide open by not adding any legitimate veteran free agents or draft picks in the spring. They want somebody to step up. Like Idonije all those years ago, he is taking advantage.
This would be one of the coolest stories to come out of Halas Hall in a long time. Probably not since the rise of Roy Robertson-Harris has an undrafted defensive lineman become a viable member of the rotation. Kromah is so close now. All eyes are on him, anxious to see what he can do for an encore next week. With Sweat recovering from an injury and Booker unlikely to see much action out of caution, he should see plenty of snaps.
Oct 30, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Fox Sports analyst Derek Jeter prior to the Texas Rangers against the Arizona Diamondbacks in game three of the 2023 World Series at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead in the preseason opener on Saturday. The Chicago Bears seemed stuck in the mud offensively, while the special teams suffered some breakdowns. However, over the final three quarters, the team seemed to remember who they are. The Bears reeled off 34 unanswered points to steamroll past the Browns 34-10. Much of the credit for the victory went to their rookie class. Every member of their draft class in attendance made at least two or three strong plays. Undrafted running back Coleman Bennett scored a touchdown. Tight end Hayden Large had a TD-saving tackle on special teams. It was great to see. Nobody would believe the performance was inspired by Derek Jeter.
People might be shocked to hear the New York Yankees legend is involved. Did head coach Ben Johnson show the team some Jeter cutups from his playing days? Nope. According to undrafted center Jaren Kump, the team brought the Hall of Famer to Halas Hall in person. He spoke with the team, offering advice to the rookies about how to handle the transition to playing in the pros. According to Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune, his words resonated with everybody.
Derek Jeter knew right where to poke them.
The 6-foot-5, 306-pound lineman out of Utah didn’t realize a special guest was in the audience that day. Shortly after Kump’s rousing rendition, coach Ben Johnson brought out none other than New York Yankees icon Derek Jeter to speak to the team…
…Something Jeter told the team last week seemed to really resonate with the rookies.
“One of the things he said was basically if you don’t have butterflies, you might be a psychopath, but it probably means that you don’t care enough,” rookie tight end Sam Roush said. “Obviously I had butterflies (Saturday). I get nervous before the games. Always.”
Added first-round draft pick Dillon Thieneman: “If you don’t have that, you don’t love the game.”
Nothing hits harder than questioning someone’s love for the game.
Everybody in that meeting room had to work incredibly hard to reach the NFL. Feeling nervous going into the first game is natural. Not feeling it just means you’re in the league because it’s the best way you know to make money. The only thing that matters is the next check. Jeter developed a particular distaste for such players. That isn’t a shock after he spent 20 years leading one of the greatest dynasties in professional sports history. It isn’t surprising that Coach Johnson brought him in to speak. The two are much alike in mindset.
Win at all costs.
As a coach, Johnson can only convey that message in his own way. For players to truly grasp it, they often need to hear it from one of their own. Derek Jeter might not be a football player, but he’s a professional athlete. He understands the sacrifices that must be made to achieve greatness. It seems his word had an impact. Despite sitting most of their starters, the Bears still managed to crush the Browns. That is what good teams do. They take care of business, even if they’re not playing their best.
He always finds creative ways to give his players a motivational boost. Last offseason, he showed footage of a famous UFC fight where one fighter knocked out the other in the first few seconds. It was meant to stress the importance of always maintaining that killer mentality. Bringing in Jeter was clearly meant to show players that they must hold themselves to a championship standard and never lose that love of the game. If you’re unwilling to meet those criteria, it’s best to walk away.
Those words clearly had an impact. Preseason or not, the Bears acted like a winner by overwhelming the Browns in that game. They did it without any help from the starters. This team has found its identity from top to bottom. They have depth, and now they have purpose. It will be interesting to see how things progress as the season draws closer.
The Chicago Bears encountered some brutal luck last year at the cornerback position. Jaylon Johnson injured his groin while training and then ruptured his core after returning. He missed half of the season. Kyler Gordon missed 14 games with various soft tissue problems. Terell Smith was lost to a torn ACL. Amidst that crisis, the Bears brought in Nahshon Wright. A former 3rd round pick in Dallas, he’d been recently waived by Minnesota. He had ties to Bears defensive backs coach Al Harris. He might provide some help.
What he ended up giving them was five interceptions, as by far one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 season. His presence was crucial to Chicago’s division title and playoff run. Unfortunately, he left in free agency for a nice payday. The Bears hoped their corner position wouldn’t be so bad health-wise this time.
Gordon has yet to practice all offseason. Tyrique Stevenson and Cam Lewis have been banged up. The vibes haven’t changed much. As before, the Bears were forced to bring in some late help. This time, they added third-year corner Beanie Bishop. Despite only a couple of practices to prepare, he wasted no time making his presence felt in the preseason opener.
Bishop and Nahshon Wright are not the same player.
Let’s make that clear right away. Wright was a classic boundary cornerback with a tall, long frame. Bishop is only 5’9″ and 190 lbs. He is a pure slot cornerback. That said, they do have one thing in common. They can force turnovers. During his rookie season with Pittsburgh in 2024, Bishop snagged four interceptions. For whatever reason, he was demoted last year and eventually released by the team in favor of bigger veteran names. After a stint on the New Orleans Saints practice squad, he became available again this offseason, and the Bears were quick to snatch him up.
Clearly, his nose for the football hasn’t left him. Two interceptions in a game, just six days after signing with the team, is pretty impressive. Granted, both throws by the quarterback were terrible, but Bishop was still in a position to make the play. This excludes the other three pass defenses he finished with. Suffice to say, he was around the football a lot. If he could do that after six days of work, imagine how much better he might get with enough time to learn the defense.
The one person who should be nervous is Gordon.
Head coach Ben Johnson hasn’t hidden his displeasure with the cornerback’s continued absence. It is pretty safe to assume the Bears are looking for every excuse to unload his contract at the earliest opportunity. Meanwhile, they’re also seeking an alternative at nickel cornerback they can rely on. Bishop feels like the first one who can be a legitimate threat. He’s played the position plenty, had success, and is young. The only thing holding him back is the knowledge that he will miss the first three games of the season with a suspension.
There is still more work to do. One good game won’t be enough to convince this coaching staff that Bishop deserves a place on the roster. He must show them every day in practice. Every day Gordon is gone certainly helps, that’s for sure. It would also ease the pressure on 4th round pick Malik Muhammad, who’s been trying to learn nickel corner on the fly. If this is another Nahshon Wright situation, the Bears should be investigated for witchcraft.
Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Maurice Alexander (13) celebrates with his team after scoring against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears took care of business in their preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns. After falling behind 10-0, they rallied to score 34 unanswered points. The game served as a reminder of how much deeper the roster has become and how much better the coaching has gotten. Several players had a great day, putting on a performance that should go a long way in helping them secure a job on the roster. Others? They probably wish they could scrub the tape and quickly move on to next week.
Here is a breakdown of the game’s biggest winners and losers. Be warned that there will be more of the former than the latter this time because of the game’s positive outcome.
Chicago Bears preseason winner opener: Kaden Davis
Easily the biggest winner of the afternoon. The former undrafted free agent-turned-UFL player signed with the Bears in the spring. Most saw him as a camp body at the time. What followed were two solid weeks of really good practices, marked by several big plays with the second and third-string offenses. Could he carry that over to actual game action? Yes. Yes, he could. Davis became the sparkplug on offense. After Chicago got off to a rough start, his 41-yard catch and run gave them some life. Then another 21-yard reception set up a field goal to tie it 10-10 at halftime. He finished with 88 yards in two quarters.
Winner: Jamree Kromah
The former undrafted defensive end hasn’t been mentioned much in training camp, so he needed to make something happen in this game. He ended up producing the most pivotal play of the first half when he stripped Deshaun Watson on a sack and recovered the fumble. That turnover led directly to a Bears touchdown to make it 10-7. He remained a key part of the defensive effort that shut down Cleveland’s offense the rest of the half and then a big 4th down stop in the 3rd quarter. He finished with two sacks on the afternoon. The competition for those final edge spots will be fierce. Plays like those could mean the difference.
The Bears rarely spend heavily in undrafted free agency. It’s not the richest pool of talent, after all. That said, they made an exception for Barnett, an offensive guard from Wyoming. The “Vanilla Gorilla,” as he’s called, was known as an athletic and nasty blocker who probably should’ve been drafted. Chicago felt fortunate to get him, and the opener showed why. While protecting Case Keenum who dominated the second half, Barnett had one of the best sequences of the game when he threw two terrific blocks to spring the go-ahead 49-yard touchdown on a screen to Salvon Ahmed.
Winner: Ruben Hyppolite
After a brutal end to his rookie season, expectations were low for the former 4th round pick. However, rumblings surfaced over the past week that Hyppolite had really started looking good in practice. In what is a crowded linebacker room with D’Marco Jackson and Jack Sanborn, he needed to perform in this game. He succeeded, collecting 6 tackles, including two for a loss. One was on 4th down to force a turnover on downs. That speed he was known for at Maryland showed up on a few of those plays. If he can couple that with some improvement on special teams, Hyppolite can hold onto his roster spot.
Winner: James Lynch
Jordan Van Den Berg has been the story of training camp for the Bears’ defense. The 6th round pick had a strong performance in this game, but he was overshadowed by Lynch. The veteran defensive tackle was giving the Cleveland blockers fits every time he was on the field. Despite not recording a sack, he was constantly in the backfield, logging a QB hit and several pressures. He also had a pass deflection. Lynch was kind of the forgotten man of the Bears’ free agent additions between Neville Gallimore and Van Den Berg. This is a reminder that they’re much deeper up the middle compared to last season.
— The Dawgs – A Cleveland Browns Podcast (@thedawgspodcast) August 15, 2026
Loser: Jedrick Wills
With Braxton Jones not quite back from his knee injury yet, the left tackle competition was considered a head-to-head fight between former 1st round pick Jedrick Wills and former 3rd round pick Kiran Amegadjie. The latter got the start, and while the offense stalled through the first three drives, he held up well enough in pass protection. The same can’t be said of Wills. He had the ugliest moment of the game, getting badly beaten for a sack. He still doesn’t have the same springiness he did before his injury two years ago. It could be rust, but that play did him no favors. The Chicago Bears pulled him and went back to Amegadjie shortly after.
Loser: Roschon Johnson
Johnson’s status was already shaky after injuries slowed him last season. He was fortunate the team didn’t really need him because of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. However, those issues haven’t really gone away. His performance in the opener wasn’t bad. He finished with 8 carries for 34 yards. The problem was that Salvon Ahmed looked considerably better. He showed the same amount of physicality to go along with more burst. His 49-yard touchdown catch-and-run also showcased his value in the passing game. With Travis Homer gone, that third running back spot is up for grabs, and Ahmed staked a far louder claim to it on Saturday.
Loser: Josh Blackwell
With injuries hampering the cornerback spot, the Chicago Bears have been on the lookout for guys to step up. Blackwell should be grateful he’s so crucial to special teams. Otherwise, his performance in this game would’ve gotten him into serious trouble. The Browns picked on him several times throughout the game, hitting on multiple chunk plays. It didn’t help that Beanie Bishop, their emergency free agent signing after another wave of injuries, grabbed two interceptions. Blackwell better make sure he stays sharp on special teams, or he could find his spot swiped out from under him.
Jun 11, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) stretches during Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears made the announcement a few days ago that most of the offensive starters would not play on Saturday in the preseason opener. That included quarterback Caleb Williams. That wasn’t a big surprise. With bad weather expected and two joint practices on the horizon, it didn’t make much sense to throw them out there. One person happy about that was backup QB Tyson Bagent. It meant he would get a chance to play a significant chunk of the game. Probably the first half.
This could be important. After all, it’s no secret that NFL teams have been showing more interest in Bagent lately, feeling he might be worth a look as a starter. It started with the Arizona Cardinals, but there are likely other teams included. One of them is the team Bagent will face off against in the upcoming game. The Cleveland Browns have their own problems at quarterback. That, and some other notable reasons, could mean Bagent is auditioning for his next team.
#1 – Tyson Bagent is better than any of their current QB options.
This may sound crazy when you say it out loud, but it’s not. Deshaun Watson is a desicated husk of the Pro Bowl player he was years ago. He’s looked lost ever since he got to Cleveland. Shedeur Sanders might be a fan favorite, but he showed nothing last season to suggest he should be a starting NFL quarterback. Reports out of training camp this past month haven’t changed that. Meanwhile, Bagent has looked terrific in Bears camp and has been a consistently great performer in each of the past two preseasons. Though he wasn’t perfect, he did have some nice moments when he started as a rookie in 2023.
#2 – Todd Monken is a big admirer of Ben Johnson’s work
Sports Mockery caught onto some interesting information recently. Apparently, the Bears had serious interest in the current Browns head coach. Talks were progressing well between the two sides. However, once it became clear Johnson was interested in the job, Chicago called Monken to tell him that they planned to make an offer as a courtesy. Monken reportedly laughed and told them to hire Johnson. “He’s great,” he said. Not long after, Monken got the Browns job. So we know that the Cleveland head coach is a big admirer of Johnson’s work, and Tyson Bagent has spent two offseasons being developed by him. If Monken is as unhappy with his team’s QB situation as the rumors suggest, this is an alternative he might consider.
#3 – Cleveland has plenty of ammunition to make a deal
The primary sticking point in any Bagent trade idea has been the price tag. Johnson has made it crystal clear that he loves his young quarterback. He’d rather not trade him at all. So any idea of it happening would require a significant offer in return. The belief is a 2nd round pick is minimum. Most teams would be unwilling to make that kind of commitment to a backup unless they’re completely desperate. Cleveland might be the exception. They are flush with picks for next year thanks to a series of trades. That includes two 1st, a 2nd, a 3rd, and three 4th round picks. If they believe Bagent can become a capable quarterback, they have the resources to make a deal without feeling the sting.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell looks on before Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
When Kevin Warren arrived as the Chicago Bears‘ new team president, it was reported that his ultimate goal was to become the NFL Commissioner. He’d already been Big Ten commissioner and now wanted to take the final step to the highest position of power in all of football. Chicago offered him the opportunity to grow his resume. So try to imagine the humiliation that the league’s current commissioner, Roger Goodell, has become so fed up with the job you’ve done that he decided to go over your head to try fixing the Bears’ stadium situation.
That is what Shia Kapos of Politico revealed on August 14th. Goodell has apparently met personally with select Illinois lawmakers in an effort to break the deadlock.
Bears Chatter: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell continues to be involved in discussions about where the Bears might relocate. A source familiar told me a few select Illinois lawmakers met with Goodell on Thursday.
NFL insider Mike Florio added more to this, stating that such a move makes it obvious that Hammond, Indiana has always been leverage by the Bears to get more concessions on the Arlington Heights location. That or the possibility they stay in Chicago. However, Goodell and the league have grown tired of the delay and have decided to step in.
“The news highlights the reality that Hammond is the leverage to get something done in Arlington Heights or, possibly, Chicago. If the Bears were going to build something in Hammond, the process would have started by now. Especially since, as Warren said Thursday, the projected cost is increasing by $150 million per year.
So maybe, in the end, the Bears won’t leave Illinois. Maybe, just maybe, they’ll find a solution in Chicago.”
Kevin Warren has failed.
Despite his insistence that he doesn’t believe the organization has made any mistakes in the negotiation process, the facts tell a very different story. Other NFL teams launched their own new stadium initiatives after the Bears did in 2021. Most of them are already on track to start construction shortly or have already begun. The Bears are nowhere close to getting shovels in the ground. Their latest press conference was more of the same nonsense. Insisting they are conducting a thorough process, while reports continue showing how disjointed everything is.
That starts with Kevin Warren. He was supposed to be the stadium guru. He’d spent years with the Minnesota Vikings and was supposedly instrumental in getting U.S. Bank Stadium built. Yet every indication since he took over suggests that was a massive overestimation. Warren’s actions during this saga speak of a man whose mouth loves to write checks he can’t cash. He hires lobbyists to help him with talks in Springfield and doesn’t bother listening to their advice. He jumps at the Hammond idea without realizing that much of the land in the area is either industrial waste or environmentally protected.
Gov. Pritzker on Bears: "They’ve hired new lobbyists, and they’re working with those lobbyists, and I hope with members of the legislature to push something through." pic.twitter.com/UECvnuJ1dl
If the Indiana offer was as sweet as people down there continue to insist it is, the Bears would’ve jumped at it long ago. Florio is most likely correct. The franchise prefers to build in Arlington Heights as originally planned. They own the property and have done all the research. It is a perfect place to build. What they need is property tax certainty and infrastructure support. Unfortunately, you have to negotiate with the state government to get both, and Illinois is notorious for being highly fractious politically.
Warren was woefully unprepared for the challenge facing him. This entire process exposed him as someone who talks way bigger than he walks. Goodell stepping in should tell you everything you need to know. The league is tired of Warren fumbling the talks and has decided to try helping things along. The NFL has tons of political stroke around the country. They can probably call in a few favors to nudge this thing over the finish line.
Bears fans would certainly be grateful. They’re just tired of it all at this point.
