Bears depth shines in preseason opener

A look at which Bears players improved or faltered in Sunday’s preseason tie with the Dolphins at Soldier Field.

Bears players rise and fall in preseason opener

With many Bears starters not playing, Sunday’s 24-24 tie with the Dolphins at Soldier Field became a chance for backups to prove their value. Josh Blackwell stood out with sticky coverage, playing 32 defensive snaps and clamping down on third downs as the Dolphins tested the Bears corners. Ruben Hyppolite II showed fast, downhill pursuing ability, finishing with six tackles and the most solo stops on the team. Jahdae Walker emerged with a team high 41 receiving yards on three catches, including a 14-yard touchdown, while Braxton Jones returned from injury to hold up in pass protection during the game’s early series.

Durham Smythe played 16 snaps and was targeted once but did not bring in a catch, while Tyler Scott had one reception for eight yards in a receiving corps crowded with depth options.

The exercise was clear: August football is about depth and evaluation more than drama. The Bears used the game to gauge backups at several positions, including cornerback, linebacker, receiver and tackle. Early signs from Blackwell and Hyppolite II suggest Chicago has viable depth players who can step up when starters sit. Walker's production gives the coaching staff a tangible option in the reserve group, and Jones’s return from injury offers a glimpse of what the line could be with more time on the field. Yet the shortcomings from Smythe and Scott signal the ongoing competition for meaningful snaps in a crowded skill group. The real test comes in the next games when decisions shift from potential to roster reality.

Highlights

The coming preseason games will reveal who truly belongs on the 53 and who might get a longer look elsewhere.