(670 The Score) The Bears’ preseason winning streak came to an end Saturday evening with the first exhibition loss of the Matt Eberflus era.
The Bears squandered a fourth-quarter lead in a 24-17 setback to the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Here are the observations from the second of Chicago's three preseason games.
Fields, starters take a seat
The beauty of joint practices is that players receive the benefit of intense competition while their coaches can plan for different game-like scenarios. Such practices can emulate the action of a preseason game but in a more controlled setting.
Eberflus was pleased with what his team gained in joint practices with the Colts on Wednesday and Thursday. It’s why Eberflus elected to rest the Bears’ starters in the team's second exhibition game.
“We’ve had a lot of great opportunity,” Eberflus said.
The Colts also held out most of their key starters, including rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Bears quarterback Justin Fields and Chicago’s starting offense received dozens of reps against the Colts’ first-string defense across two days at Grand Park. It represented important work for Fields as he faced an unfamiliar foe and scheme.
The Bears’ offense was inconsistent in its work, but Fields shined in seven-on-seven drills from the red zone.
“That was excellent,” Eberflus said. “Rhythm, timing, he’s getting better there. Sometimes it’s a protection breakdown. It’s always everybody. It’s the other 10 guys that need to operate. Are we running the routes correctly? Are we protecting him the right way (and) giving him time? And doing those types of things it takes to have an efficient passing game.”
Fields played seven snaps across two series during the Bears’ preseason opener last Saturday at Soldier Field, going 3-of-3 for 129 yards and two touchdowns. He played nine snaps during Chicago’s second exhibition game in 2022.
The Bears will likely play Fields and their starters next Saturday in their preseason finale against the Bills at Soldier Field, as Eberflus plans to structure the week for season-like preparation.
Battle for QB2?
Quarterback Tyson Bagent, an undrafted rookie out of Division-II Shepard University, has made a strong impression on the Bears since he signed with them in early May.
Bagent continued his impressive work Saturday, going 9-of-10 for 76 yards while adding a two-yard touchdown run to cap a 17-play, 92-yard drive.
Meanwhile, veteran backup quarterback PJ Walker was 1-of-4 for six yards. He has struggled throughout training camp and especially in the joint practices with the Colts.
So, do the Bears have a backup quarterback controversy?
Walker signed a two-year deal worth $4.2 million this past offseason. He was paid more than $2 million guaranteed as part of the deal, with that cash paid with his signing.
Because Walker has a two-year deal, it’s difficult to imagine him being left off the initial 53-man roster in early September. But Bagent has outperformed Walker and fellow reserve quarterback Nathan Peterman to this point, and his role is now worthy of a conversation.
At Shepherd University, Bagent threw for for a Division-II record 17,034 passing yards as well as 159 touchdowns, which is the most ever at any level of NCAA football. Walker has completed 57.5% of his passes for five touchdowns and 11 interceptions over 15 career NFL games, including seven starts.
The backup quarterback role will be in the spotlight next Saturday during the Bears’ preseason finale against the Bills. Perhaps the split of playing time will reveal how the Bears feel and whether a competition has truly developed.
The law firm of Dexter & Pickens
Bears general manager Ryan Poles made it a priority in the NFL Draft to find a three-technique who could anchor the defensive front. He may have identified a pair of them in Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens.
Chicago selected Dexter late in the second round with the No. 53 overall pick, then took Pickens at No. 64 overall, the first slot of the third round. The Bears hope they've found a pair of disruptive defensive linemen.
Dexter and Pickens have each rotated in with the Bears’ starting defensive line and could earn a role as they continue to develop. Dexter has caught the Bears’ attention with his raw physical presence.
“I just see a lot of potential in him,” Bears pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue said recently. “I see a lot of myself in him as well. His first step is quick, he’s a young guy and I feel like he can be a Day 1 guy that can just affect the quarterback (and) affect the run game.”
Roschon runs
Rookie running back Roschon Johnson received much of the work in the Bears’ backfield Saturday, carrying seven times for 32 yards. That included a physical 14-yard run.
Johnson has had plenty of opportunities with the Bears’ starting offense during practices. He doesn’t take that for granted.
"It means a lot,” Johnson said. “But at the end of the day, regardless of what string I'm taking my reps with, I try to take it the same way. It's a blessing, but also I got to take care of business."
The Bears intend to to use Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman and Johnson in a backfield committee.
A fourth-round pick of the Bears in April, Johnson could be the team’s long-term answer at running back. He’s getting the chance to shine already and is running with it.
Extra points
-- Prior to Saturday, the last time the Bears played the Colts in a preseason game was in August 2019, when news broke during the contest of Indianapolis star quarterback Andrew Luck’s plan to retire. It was one of the most surreal scenes that could take place in a preseason game. Nobody retired this time around.
-- Early in the second quarter, Bears rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson missed a great opportunity to intercept a pass by Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew. The football went through his hands and was caught by receiver Juwann Winfree for a touchdown. Stevenson deserves credit for making the proper read in coverage, but he needs to make that play.
-- Fourth-year pass rusher Terrell Lewis could be on the earn of earning a spot on the Bears’ 53-man roster. He had a sack Saturday and has been a standout all throughout the offseason program and in training camp.
-- Bears receiver Daurice Fountain, a fifth-round pick of the Colts in 2018, produced Chicago's top highlight with a full-extension 35-yard touchdown catch from Peterman early in the fourth quarter.
-- The Colts are building for the future with Richardson at quarterback. It’s hard to see them doing much better than their 4-12-1 form of last season.
-- Credit to the Colts for naming Richardson the starting quarterback early in the preseason rather than drawing out some unnecessary competition with Minshew. Richardson is going to be a fun player to follow.
-- Shoutout to friend and former colleague JJ Stankevitz, who's the public address announcer at Lucas Oil Stadium. He was in midseason form Saturday.
-- The Bears kick off the regular season three weeks from Sunday.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
Listen live to 670 The Score via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker