The Chicago Bears have officially wrapped up their preseason slate, and with the games behind us, it’s time to take stock of what we’ve learned. Between roster battles, new coaching philosophies, and a memorable comeback against the Kansas City Chiefs, the offseason has given fans plenty to chew on heading into Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. The biggest headline? The Bears are heading into the regular season relatively healthy and that may prove to be the most important victory of all.
The Chiefs Game: A Comeback with Perspective
On Friday night, Chicago rallied in the second half to secure a comeback win over the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. The Bears closed out their preseason with a 2-0-1 record, an encouraging sign for a team in transition. But as every seasoned NFL watcher knows, preseason records aren’t the endgame—the real takeaway is how a team looks and whether they make it out intact.
The most encouraging news is that Chicago escaped the Chiefs matchup without any significant injuries. Just a week earlier, the team lost cornerback Terell Smith to a torn patellar tendon. While Smith wasn’t penciled in as a starter, he was considered a reliable depth piece in a secondary that has been missing Pro Bowl corner Jaylon Johnson. Losing Smith stings, but compared to what could’ve been, the Bears can feel fortunate.
A Healthy Start to the Ben Johnson Era
The offseason was headlined by the arrival of head coach Ben Johnson. Back in January, his hiring energized fans who had grown weary of inconsistency. Now, after a full offseason program and three exhibition games, that excitement hasn’t dimmed. Johnson’s offensive creativity, coupled with a commitment to fundamentals, has started to show in small ways even in vanilla preseason play-calling.
Fans should feel just as enthusiastic now as they did when Johnson’s arrival was first announced. The foundation being laid feels different. There’s been a sense of purpose in how the Bears approached training camp and preseason snaps, giving younger players meaningful reps while still protecting key starters.
Preseason Lessons and Roster Takeaways
The Bears’ three-game stretch offered a handful of insights. Young players on both sides of the ball showed flashes of growth, while veterans provided steady leadership. Perhaps most importantly, the depth of the roster looks stronger than in years past. Chicago is far from a finished product, but compared to recent preseasons, there’s a noticeable balance in how the roster has been built out.
Of course, there are still questions. Can the offensive line hold up over the course of a long season? Will the pass rush generate enough pressure to take pressure off the secondary? And perhaps the biggest: how quickly can Johnson’s offense translate when the games actually count?
Around the League: Shilo Sanders Waived
In other preseason news, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made headlines when they waived undrafted rookie defensive back Shilo Sanders just a day after he was ejected for throwing a punch against the Buffalo Bills. While the move raised eyebrows, reports suggest that the Bucs still view Sanders favorably. Coaches and teammates described him as respectful and remorseful after the incident, and the door hasn’t been shut on future opportunities with the organization. It’s a reminder that while mistakes happen, teams often look at the bigger picture of a player’s character.
Setting the Table for Week One
Now the countdown begins. With the preseason complete, the Bears’ focus shifts entirely to the Minnesota Vikings in Week One. Chicago enters the matchup healthy, hungry, and buoyed by the momentum of a strong preseason showing. For fans, there’s every reason to be optimistic that the Ben Johnson era could bring a fresh chapter of competitive football back to Soldier Field.
The preseason may not count in the standings, but it revealed something important: this team looks prepared. And for Bears fans, that’s a reason to feel balanced and maybe even a little excited for what’s to come.