The Chicago Bears opened preseason with a 24-24 tie versus Miami, and even with the starters on the sideline, intrigue abounded in roster battles and young players who flashed in Week 1. Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, and Kyle Monangai each left a mark, showcasing depth at tight end, receiver and running back while Dennis Allen’s defense teased an aggressive, playmaking identity with two takeaways and six sacks.

Caleb Williams rested, but Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum seized the backup QB job chatter as Chicago kept three signal-callers in play. D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Monangai and Travis Homer formed a crowded backfield, with Monangai flashing power and balance in Swift’s absence. The WR group benefited from Moores’ absence as Burden III showed two catches for 29 yards and Duvernay added special-teams value, while Loveland and Smythe anchored a young TE room behind Kmet.

Up front, the OL competed at left tackle, where Braxton Jones faced Ozzy Trapilo with Trapilo delivering a stronger day in pass protection. On defense, a rotation of Sweat, Odeyingbo, Turner and Pickens teased depth; the secondary shuffled without Johnson and Gordon, heightening the stakes for training camp. Santos showed leg confidence with a 57-yard field goal as Chicago begins the push toward the regular season.