Chicago Bears Preseason Week 2: What We Learned—and What To Expect in Week 3

Aug. 22, 2026: Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up ahead of the team's preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Credit: Joseph Maiorana | Imagn

Well, Bears fans, we’ve just about made it. Indeed, not only does today mark the beginning of the final week of the NFL preseason, but training camp now officially ends in less than two weeks!

However, before the regular season (or as I like to call it, “real football”) begins on September 9th, there’s still a few more things for teams to take care of as both camp and the preseason wrap up. Most importantly? Finalizing their final 53-man rosters before the 6 p.m. Eastern deadline arrives on Sunday (August 30th).

For the Bears, that deadline arriving so soon will throw an extra spotlight on not just their final week of preseason, but on Saturday’s 27-9 loss to the Bengals as well.

Here are my thoughts on both what that loss taught us about the Bears’ final roster, and what to expect during Week 3 of the preseason.

WHAT WE LEARNED FROM PRESEASON WEEK 2:

1: The Bears Are LOADED at Wide Receiver/Tight End

If there was one thing the Bears’ 27-9 loss to Cincinnati made clear, it’s that Chicago has plenty of capable pass-catchers beyond its projected starters. Jahdae Walker strengthened his case for WR3 with a spectacular 36-yard grab, while camp standout Kaden Davis, role-player JP Richardson and others continue to make the final wide receiver spots difficult to predict. ESPN’s latest projection has Davis making the 53-man roster, while Richardson and veterans Scotty Miller and Maurice Alexander could be left outside looking in. (However, this would in no way be a bad thing, as their veteran leadership could prove useful on a practice squad chock-full of players looking to seize any opportunity they can get.)

The Bears’ tight end room is just as impressive, with Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet the obvious locks. Meanwhile third-round pick Sam Roush continued to show exactly why Chicago drafted him, as he ripped off a 26-yard catch-and-run against Cincinnati to go along with his stalwart pass/run blacking (something that has been a major positive during his training camp). Given that the Bears play multiple tight ends so often, it’s a safe bet that Roush will land on the final roster, giving the Monsters of the Midway three very capable tight ends.

The biggest takeaway overall? With how much the Bears pass-catchers have stood out thus far, this week is less about finding talent at receiver and tight end, and more about figuring out how to keep as much of it as possible.

2: Even When Healthy, the Pass Rush and the Secondary Are Still a Concern

The Bears’ defense struggled to consistently pressure Cincinnati’s quarterbacks, finishing with four quarterback hits and no sacks. Meanwhile, the secondary allowed 40-year-old Josh Johnson and Sean Clifford to combine for 282 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Injuries certainly played a role, but that’s also part of the concern. Chicago can’t assume everyone will be healthy for all 17 games (and in fact, already know that they won’t), and the current depth has inspired far less confidence than fans and coaches alike would have hoped for this close to Week 1. Indeed, with Kyler Gordon’s status still very much an unknown, Coby Bryant dealing with his long-term knee injury, and several other defensive backs working their way back, the Bears still have plenty to figure out.

3: RB3 Is a Mystery—and That’s Not a Bad Thing

The biggest surprise here may be that the Bears actually have a legitimate competition for the final running back spot. At the moment, it would appear as though Salvon Ahmed has the job over Roschon Johnson--though given the training camps both have had (each has had a few standout moments along with several notable turnovers/errors), that’s not necessarily a sure thing.

But in my opinion, that’s a good problem for the Bears to have, especially considering that they’ve known who their primary running backs will be since the end of last season. With D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai forming the bulk of their rushing attack, the Bears don’t necessarily need a star at RB3 (or, for that matter, just one RB3)—but they do need someone who can contribute, especially if Monangai’s knee injury keeps him out longer than expected. Ultimately, this week will likely determine who gets that opportunity.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN PRESEASON WEEK 3:

1: A Clearer Picture in the Secondary—Especially on the Depth Chart

The Bears’ final preseason game comes Saturday against the Titans, and will provide one final opportunity for Chicago to evaluate a secondary that remains unsettled because of injuries and uncertainty. Yes, Jaylon Johnson is the clear anchor, but everything behind him is still being sorted out, particularly at nickel and safety.

Kyler Gordon’s availability remains a major variable (perhaps the biggest), while players such as Dillon Thieneman and Xavier Woods are competing for roles (though both are expected to win starting jobs). With roster cuts approaching, the Bears need to determine not only which defensive backs make the team, but which ones can actually be trusted when the regular season begins—right now, there aren’t many.

2: Left Tackle Is Now a Two-Horse Race—and Ozzy Trapilo’s Job Once He’s Ready

If there was one position that became more complicated—not less—against Cincinnati, it was left tackle. With Jedrick Wills Jr. and Kiran Amegadije now mainly taking reps at right tackle, the Bears entered the week with Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet competing for the job.

Then came Saturday’s game, where neither player exactly seized the opportunity.

Jones—the Week 1 starter at left tackle for the Bears last season—struggled at times and was flagged for a holding penalty that wiped out a 10-yard Roschon Johnson run, while Benedet also had his share of problems, particularly with the pass rush

And head coach Ben Johnson didn’t sugarcoat the situation. And head coach Ben Johnson didn’t sugarcoat it. His postgame comments made clear the offensive line still has work to do, making this week’s practices and the preseason finale against Tennessee most important evaluation opportunities yet—as well as the final ones the Bears will have before finalizing their roster.

And then there’s Ozzy Trapilo.

Trapilo has already returned to practice from his patellar tendon injury, and Johnson has expressed optimism about his physical progress while emphasizing the importance of rebuilding his confidence.

Once he's is fully healthy, it’s very difficult to imagine Chicago not viewing him as the long-term answer at left tackle. The question is simply when he’ll be ready to play—and who will be filling in for him until he does.

3: Caleb Williams Will Most Likely Only Play One Drive Against the Titans

After Williams finally made his preseason debut against Cincinnati, playing one possession and completing 2 of 5 passes, don’t expect Ben Johnson to suddenly give his franchise quarterback an extended workload in the finale.

The Bears’ first-team offense got the work Johnson wanted against the Bengals, and with the regular season approaching, the priority now shifts toward evaluating the players fighting for roster spots. Williams will likely get another series or so against Tennessee before giving way to the backups—regardless of how the drive goes.

Indeed, the priority this week for Ben Johnson is keeping Williams and most of the other first-team players (i.e., T.J. Edwards, D’Andre Swift, Rome Odunze, Devin Bush, Joe Thuney, etc.) healthy, not getting them game reps. As such, fans shouldn’t be concerned if that ends up being the case.

Ultimately, this week will finally provide both the Bears and their fans with answers to several of the questions surrounding the 53-man roster. Indeed, the finish line is in sight—now, it’s time to see who makes the cut.