Emma: 5 takeaways from the Bears' win in the rain-shortened Hall of Fame Game
(670 The Score) The Bears earned a 21-17 win against the Texans on Thursday in a rain-shortened Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Here are five takeaways from the Bears' exhibition opener, which was called off with 3:31 remaining in the third quarter amid severe weather.
Battling in the backfield
The Bears signed dynamic running back D'Andre Swift to a three-year, $24-million deal in March, and he'll be a focal point of their offense as he's coming off a career year in which he rushed for 1,049 yards with the Eagles in 2023.
Behind him, the Bears are figuring out their running back hierarchy. Second-year back Roschon Johnson got the start Thursday and carried six times for 24 yards. He's a solid complement to Swift, as he boasts power that can be an asset in short-yardage situations.
Then there's Khalil Herbert, who's on the Bears' roster bubble in his fourth NFL season. Herbert has rushed for 1,775 yards and eight touchdowns over three seasons with the Bears and took on a lead role in 2023 following starter David Montgomery's departure.
But Herbert's game is similar to Swift's, meaning he may be the odd man out of the running back mix.
"I feel like I always got something to prove," Herbert said. "Not to anybody but to myself. Really, just showing who I am as a player. The film speaks for itself, so just being able to go out there each day and compete. (Swift) does a good job of just raising the level of the room, so everybody is kind of going with it and bringing the levels up as well."
Herbert rushed four times for 35 yards Thursday, including a 19-yard carry through Texans defenders.
The Bears' backfield mix will feature Swift and Johnson in addition to special teams standout Travis Homer and fullback Khari Blasingame. With quality depth at wide receiver and tight end, there could be a roster casualty at the running back position.
Herbert seems to understand the reality of his situation. He's fighting for a spot with the Bears – or perhaps showcasing his talent so he can land on another roster this season.
'Unknown' kickoffs
Bears kicker Cairo Santos made history of sorts Thursday when he booted the opening kickoff under modified rules.
As adopted by the NFL beginning this season, the kickoff is conducted with the coverage team lined up at the opponents' 40-yard line and most of the return team set up between its own 30- and 35-yard line. Only the kicker and the two returners (who can line up inside their own 20-yard line) are permitted to move until the football is caught or touches the turf.
The kickoff format was adjusted in large part to protect players from dangerous collisions that were part of the previous kickoff play. The format was also implemented to revive the kickoff play. A touchback now results in the ball being placed at the 30-yard line instead of the 25-yard line.
Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower is working through plans to take advantage of this rule change, including analyzing the personnel who now fit the format. Chicago utilized receiver Tyler Scott as its initial returner.
"The unknown is what everybody is excited for," Hightower said. "So, what I expect is a lot more returns. I know the players are extremely excited about it. I know we're extremely excited to coach it and see what it is to be a part of something that's basically revolutionizing the game. To be a part of that is special, and our guys are really excited about it."
During the second quarter, the Bears had punter Tory Taylor hold the football for Santos. It's part of a new rule in which a 12th man is allowed on the field to serve as a holder, though that player is required to leave the field immediately.
The Bears also had a pair of illegal formation penalties on the kickoffs, underscoring the challenges that will exist with the acclimation process – especially during the preseason.
Tyler's time?
The Bears have perhaps their best wide receiver trio in franchise history in DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, but there's competition to be the fourth man on the depth chart at the position. That could very well be Scott, a fourth-round pick of the Bears in 2023.
Scott had 17 receptions for 168 yards as a rookie last season, when he struggled to find his role. Now in his second NFL season, Scott is more comfortable.
"The game has definitely slowed down," Scott said. "Every player knows that's what you want to get to, is when everything feels like it's happening in slow motion. With (offensive coordinator Shane Waldron) coming in, he came from a similar tree as (Luke) Getsy, so a lot of the verbiage sounds the same, the concepts may be a little bit different, but just be prepared and kind of know my assignments.
"The game just feels so much slower for me. I can look up, see what's going on, see what's in front of me. I can (anticipate). That's the biggest thing. I can expect when I'm probably going to get the ball, when I may not get the ball. So, I feel like as a player, once you get to that point, things start to slow down."
Scott was coveted by the Bears in large part due to his top-flight speed. He has a track background that never quite translated to the NFL game during his rookie season.
But the 22-year-old Scott has been a standout for the Bears early in training camp, as he has found seams in coverage to get open for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
The Bears will continue to give opportunities to Scott during training camp and into the preseason. He's in position to have a more productive second season.
Runaway winner for Ken Mastrole Award
While it's far from my right to decide the Ken Mastrole Award winner – given by the Bernstein & Holmes Show to the Bears' MVP of each preseason game – I feel comfortable assuming who the runaway honoree was in this exhibition opener.
That should be fourth-year receiver Collin Johnson, who had three catches for 56 yards and two scores. While the touchdowns stood out on the stat sheet, Johnson's best moment came on a spectacular 27-yard catch down the sideline.
Johnson spent 2023 with the Bears, hauling in one 11-yard reception in three games played. He has also played for the Jaguars and Giants since entering the NFL in 2020.
Congratulations to Johnson, who's a deserving winner of the Ken Mastrole Award.
Starters sit
Williams' much-anticipated debut will have to wait.
Williams and the Bears' starters didn't play Thursday as part of the plan set out by Eberflus and his coaching staff.
Eberflus is comfortable with the Bears' work to this point in training camp, which began two weeks ago. Through the structure of practices each day, Williams and the starters have showcased growth in his mind. That meant an opportunity for reserve players Thursday to fight for their roster spots.
Tyson Bagent started at quarterback, going 2-of-3 for 16 yards in limited time. Brett Rypien was a standout in going 11-of-16 for 166 yards and three scores. Rookie Austin Reed was 2-of-2 for 10 yards.
It isn't yet clear whether Williams and the Bears' starters will play during the team's second preseason game next Thursday in Buffalo.
The Bears return to practice Saturday morning at Halas Hall.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
