NFL edge rusher rankings: Where does Montez Sweat land?

But where does Sweat rank among the league's best edge rushers heading into the 2024 NFL season?

ESPN's Bill Barnwell recently polled league sources to rank their top 10 players at the position, and while Sweat didn't make that cut, he did earn honorable mention.

"Although Sweat didn't join the Bears" squad until late October, he still finished the season leading Chicago in sacks (six) and had four tackles for loss and three passes defensed," Barnwell wrote. 'His length and ability to cover ground creates problems for tackles. He lifted the Bears defense last year,"" one source told Barnwell.

\x3Cp>ESPN's Bill Barnwell \x3Ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/40284012/top-10-nfl-edge-rushers-execs-scouts-2024-espn-jeremy-fowler-position-rankings\">recently polled league sources\x3C/a> to rank their top 10 players at the position, and while Sweat didn't make that cut, he did earn honorable mention.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\"Although Sweat didn't join the Bears\" squad until late October, he still finished the season leading Chicago in sacks (six) and had four tackles for loss and three passes defensed,\" Barnwell wrote. 'His length and ability to cover ground creates problems for tackles. He lifted the Bears defense last year,\"\" one source told Barnwell.\x3C/p>\x3Cblockquote class='twitter-tweet\">\x3Cp lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\x3Ca href=\"https://t.co/UgB7FzKGaz\">pic.twitter.com/UgB7FzKGaz\x3C/a>\x3Cbr>\x3Cbr>Montez Sweat: Backside DE playing great fundamental football! Boot, Cutback, Reverse (B.C.R.)\x3Cbr>See’s Boot closes with that 4.4 speed, down goes Goff! Dudes a difference maker! We got some great pieces on this team! ??\x3C/br>\x3C/br>\x3C/br>\x3C/p>— Jason McKie (@Jmack37) \x3Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/Jmack37/status/1726616291363213743?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 20, 2023\x3C/a>\x3C/blockquote>\x3Cp>Perhaps with another big year in 2024, Sweat can make his own case to be among the top 10 edge rushers heading into next season.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\x3Cbr>\x3C/br>\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\x3Cbr>\x3C/br>\x3C/p>",excerpt:"Is the Chicago Bears' top pass rusher one of the best in the league?",featured_image_url:"/api/public/media/2025/07/Montez-Sweat-Browns-original.jpg",photo_credit:"Jason Miller/Getty Images",status:"published",created_at:"2026-06-23T13:24:34.381588+00:00",author_display_name:"BearsTalk Staff",author_gravatar_hash:"98afe442061c243ed66d57f99b31ed77",author_avatar_url:null,category_names:$R[14]=["News"],tags:$R[15]=["chicago-bears","montez-sweat","news","nfl"],meta_title:null,meta_description:null,og_image_url:null,canonical_url:null,focus_keyword:null,reading_time_minutes:null,is_draft:!1,scheduled_publish_at:null,visibility:"public",is_featured:!1,linkedContent:"\x3Cp>The \x3Ca href=\"https://www.bearstalk.com/\">Chicago Bears\x3C/a> made a huge addition last season, filling one of their biggest needs by acquiring defensive end \x3Ca href=\"/player/montez-sweat\" class=\"player-link\" data-player=\"montez-sweat\">Montez Sweat\x3C/a> from the Washington Commanders at the trade deadline. \x3C/p>\x3Cp>But where does Sweat rank among the league's best edge rushers heading into the 2024 NFL season?\x3C/p>\x3Cp>ESPN's Bill Barnwell \x3Ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/40284012/top-10-nfl-edge-rushers-execs-scouts-2024-espn-jeremy-fowler-position-rankings\">recently polled league sources\x3C/a> to rank their top 10 players at the position, and while Sweat didn't make that cut, he did earn honorable mention.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\"Although Sweat didn't join the Bears\" squad until late October, he still finished the season leading Chicago in sacks (six) and had four tackles for loss and three passes defensed,\" Barnwell wrote. 'His length and ability to cover ground creates problems for tackles. He lifted the Bears defense last year,\"\" one source told Barnwell.\x3C/p>\x3Cblockquote class='twitter-tweet\">\x3Cp lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\x3Ca href=\"https://t.co/UgB7FzKGaz\">pic.twitter.com/UgB7FzKGaz\x3C/a>\x3Cbr>\x3Cbr>Montez Sweat: Backside DE playing great fundamental football! Boot, Cutback, Reverse (B.C.R.)\x3Cbr>See’s Boot closes with that 4.4 speed, down goes Goff! Dudes a difference maker! We got some great pieces on this team! ??\x3C/br>\x3C/br>\x3C/br>\x3C/p>— Jason McKie (@Jmack37) \x3Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/Jmack37/status/1726616291363213743?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 20, 2023\x3C/a>\x3C/blockquote>\x3Cp>Perhaps with another big year in 2024, Sweat can make his own case to be among the top 10 edge rushers heading into next season.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\x3Cbr>\x3C/br>\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\x3Cbr>\x3C/br>\x3C/p>",related:$R[16]=[$R[17]={id:"470b5a7a-8bfd-423a-9800-087e7e4edf1e",wp_post_id:100000000101,title:"Ben Johnson says Bears roster bubble is still wide open entering final cutdown week",slug:"ben-johnson-bears-roster-cuts-final-53",wp_link:null,url_date_path:"2026/08/23",published_at:"2026-08-23T15:52:29.286+00:00",updated_at:"2026-08-23T15:52:29.286+00:00",author_login:"bryanjperez",content:"\x3Cp>The Chicago Bears are getting closer to the decisions that will shape their 53-man roster, but Ben Johnson made it clear the picture is still far from settled.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Following Chicago's second preseason game, Johnson said Monday's conversations between the coaching staff and personnel department will be critical as the Bears try to get aligned before final cuts.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\"Monday's discussions with personnel will be big for alignment,\" \x3Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://x.com/ChiBearsMuse/status/2091371005075743115?s=20\">Johnson said\x3C/a>. \"For guys on the bubble, it's a huge week.\"\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears have several position battles still unresolved, including spots at wide receiver, running back, defensive line and in the secondary. Johnson doesn't view the lack of complete clarity as a problem.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\"There isn't complete clarity yet, which is a good thing,\" Johnson said. \"It means we have great competition across the roster.\"\x3C/p>\x3Cimg class=\"my-4 rounded\" src=\"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1787419255729-9dyeeq.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NzQxOTI1NTcyOS05ZHllZXEud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODc0MTkyNTYsImV4cCI6MjEwMjc3OTI1Nn0.NELmczb-XX9XXJPEKDQyaWOGwEjGD3wYi-lswa6sEkQ\" alt=\"Ryan Poles Chicago Bears\">\x3Ch2>Bears still sorting through several roster-bubble decisions\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>That competition has been one of the biggest themes of training camp.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Players like Kaden Davis, Maurice Alexander, Salvon Ahmed, Jamree Kromah and Skyler Thomas have all had moments that strengthened their cases. Others have flashed in practice or during preseason games but haven't separated enough to lock themselves into the final 53.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Johnson said the evaluation will continue through the film review and final preseason week.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\"Between watching tonight's tape and next week, I'm confident we'll land on our 53,\" Johnson said.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>But Johnson also emphasized that the Bears aren't evaluating only the players who will survive final cuts.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Ben Johnson is thinking beyond the 53-man roster\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Johnson emphasized the importance of the practice squad, too.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\"But it's really about finding the best 69 guys,\" Johnson said, \"because the practice squad will inevitably be called on over a 17-game season.\"\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Remember: the Bears aren't simply trying to identify starters and backups. They're trying to build the deepest possible 69-man group between the active roster and practice squad.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>A player who misses the 53 can still become an important part of the season. For the Bears' bubble players, the message is pretty clear: This is the week to make the decision difficult.\x3C/p>",excerpt:"The Bears still have several roster decisions to make, and Ben Johnson says the final preseason week will be huge for players fighting for spots.",featured_image_url:"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1787500105199-z53ufb.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NzUwMDEwNTE5OS16NTN1ZmIud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODc1MDAxMDYsImV4cCI6MjEwMjg2MDEwNn0.qF4b-EhzVg5VKu9FeAYZfig7Iqcqc7lKJDafwQp06mg",photo_credit:"Katie Stratman-Imagn Images",status:"published",created_at:"2026-08-23T15:42:53.314277+00:00",author_display_name:"Bryan Perez",author_gravatar_hash:"ce9d5105163cfec1a527c0b2f50332df",author_avatar_url:"/api/public/media/authors/bryanjperez-2026.jpg",category_names:$R[18]=["News"],tags:$R[19]=[],meta_title:"Ben Johnson reveals Chicago Bears' approach to roster cuts",meta_description:"The Bears still have several roster decisions to make, and Ben Johnson says the final preseason week will be huge for players fighting for spots.",og_image_url:null,canonical_url:null,focus_keyword:"Chicago Bears",reading_time_minutes:2,is_draft:!1,scheduled_publish_at:null,visibility:"public",is_featured:!0},$R[20]={id:"e8928df2-44a0-4dbb-8671-ecf66c24cd24",wp_post_id:100000000100,title:"Bears stock report: Biggest winners and losers from ugly preseason loss to Bengals",slug:"bears-stock-up-stock-down-bengals-preseason-loss",wp_link:null,url_date_path:"2026/08/23",published_at:"2026-08-23T15:37:24.338+00:00",updated_at:"2026-08-23T15:37:24.338+00:00",author_login:"bryanjperez",content:"\x3Cp>The Chicago Bears'\x3Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore/_/gameId/401873289\"> 27-9 preseason loss\x3C/a> to the Cincinnati Bengals was ugly enough on the surface. The context made it worse.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Cincinnati rested Joe Burrow, Joe Flacco, and essentially its entire starting lineup. Chicago, meanwhile, opened the game with Caleb Williams and most of its starting offense. The Bears also had several first-team defenders on the field when 40-year-old journeyman Josh Johnson engineered a 14-play opening drive that lasted more than seven minutes.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>That's not exactly what Ben Johnson had in mind for Chicago's second preseason game.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The final score doesn't matter. The performances do.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Several Bears fighting for jobs strengthened their cases Saturday night. Others missed opportunities, while a few lingering problems throughout training camp followed Chicago straight to Cincinnati.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Here's the Bears' stock report coming out of Preseason Week 2.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Stock up: Jordan van den Berg, DL\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>If there was one defensive performance worth getting excited about, it came from Jordan van den Berg.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The rookie defensive tackle continued what has become one of the more intriguing developments of Bears training camp. Van den Berg showed penetration and athleticism against Cincinnati and was one of the few Chicago defensive linemen who consistently looked disruptive.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>That's significant because the Bears desperately need someone to emerge up front.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Van den Berg has already worked his way into some first-team run-defense reps during camp, and his preseason performance is giving Dennis Allen more reasons to keep expanding his role.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Van den Berg is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. And eventually, players who keep showing up tend to get opportunities that weren't necessarily part of the original plan.\x3C/p>\x3Cimg class=\"my-4 rounded\" src=\"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1787499368816-17g7nc.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NzQ5OTM2ODgxNi0xN2c3bmMud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODc0OTkzNjksImV4cCI6MjEwMjg1OTM2OX0.1XobkRWv-WToxZLyhkj0vcZbpTJTrCys0gTVwuA7oSs\" alt=\"maurice alexander\">\x3Cp>Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Stock up: Maurice Alexander, WR\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>The battle at the bottom of Chicago's wide receiver depth chart got considerably more interesting Saturday.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Kaden Davis entered the game with most of the momentum after an excellent training camp and an 88-yard performance against Cleveland. Against Cincinnati, however, Maurice Alexander seized his opportunity.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Alexander was one of the Bears' most dependable offensive players, catching all five of his targets for 60 yards and leading Chicago in receiving.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Those numbers matter, but Alexander's roster case will require more than catching passes.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Special teams will likely determine who wins the final spot or two in Chicago's receiver room, and that's where Davis could still have an advantage. But Alexander needed to remind the coaching staff that he belongs in the conversation.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>He did exactly that.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Stock up: Skyler Thomas, DB\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Chicago's defense didn't produce many momentum-changing moments Saturday night. Skyler Thomas provided one of them.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Thomas intercepted Sean Clifford in the fourth quarter, stepping in front of a pass intended for Caleb Etienne for Chicago's only takeaway. The Bears offense failed to capitalize, but that doesn't diminish the importance of the play for Thomas.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>General manager Ryan Poles has an increasingly complicated secondary puzzle to solve before roster cuts. Coby Bryant is expected to miss months following knee surgery. Kyler Gordon remains sidelined. Rookie Malik Muhammad is pushing for an immediate role, and several defensive backs farther down the depth chart are fighting for jobs largely through versatility and special teams.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Thomas needed his splash play to separate himself from that group.\x3C/p>\x3Cimg class=\"my-4 rounded\" src=\"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1787499241299-u2u6g8.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NzQ5OTI0MTI5OS11MnU2Zzgud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODc0OTkyNDIsImV4cCI6MjEwMjg1OTI0Mn0.B2ZhuXjFvHeN6RM1Alc2OHv-v2NWEE-zwWeazcK-Gqw\" alt=\"Salvon Ahmed\">\x3Cp>Katie Stratman-Imagn Images\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Stock up: Salvon Ahmed, RB\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Salvon Ahmed didn't duplicate the kind of performance that generated buzz following Chicago's preseason opener, but he didn't disappear from the running back competition, either.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Ahmed again showed the burst that makes him a different type of runner from Roschon Johnson, turning six carries into 36 yards.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Ben Johnson made it clear after the Cleveland game that the Bears feel comfortable with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai atop the depth chart. Everything after those two will likely come down to special teams, pass protection, and which reserve can provide a useful complementary skill set.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>That's still the challenge for Ahmed. But two preseason games into this competition, he's done nothing to play himself out of it.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Stock down: Braxton Jones, LT\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Braxton Jones entered Saturday with an opportunity to take control of the Bears' left tackle competition. He didn't.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Ben Johnson recently moved Jones back into the first-team role, while Theo Benedet struggled at times during Thursday's joint practice with Cincinnati. The door was open for Jones to put some distance between himself and the competition.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Instead, his most noticeable moment came for the wrong reason.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Jones was called for holding on Chicago's opening possession, wiping out a Roschon Johnson run that would have given the Bears first-and-goal from the Cincinnati 7-yard line. Chicago couldn't recover from the penalty and settled for a Cairo Santos field goal.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>That's exactly the type of mistake the Bears can't afford from whoever wins this job.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Chicago doesn't need its left tackle to become an All-Pro. With Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Darnell Wright anchoring the rest of the line, the Bears need someone who can simply be dependable and avoid sabotaging otherwise successful plays.\x3C/p>\x3Cimg class=\"my-4 rounded\" src=\"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1787499304046-fl7uyc.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NzQ5OTMwNDA0Ni1mbDd1eWMud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODc0OTkzMDQsImV4cCI6MjEwMjg1OTMwNH0.E8JmF7qEVjFObVucBbUU3cqvw3udAinZPizU2O4SqMc\" alt=\"Dontae Manning\">\x3Cp>Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Stock down: Bears defensive depth\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>This was probably the most troubling development of the night. Cincinnati didn't just rest Burrow. The Bengals also held out Flacco and many other significant players, leaving Josh Johnson to start at quarterback.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Yet the Bears couldn't consistently get Cincinnati's reserves off the field.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bengals answered Chicago's opening field goal with a 14-play drive that consumed more than seven minutes against a Bears defense featuring several starters. Cincinnati eventually took control with three consecutive touchdown possessions spanning the second and third quarters.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>You'd expect Chicago's established defenders to look noticeably better than another team's backups. At times Saturday, it looked like the Bears were the team playing its second unit.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Stock down: Bears pass rush\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>The pass rush was bad enough to deserve its own category.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Chicago entered 2026 betting heavily on improvement from players already on the roster before recently adding veteran Marcus Davenport. Saturday night provided little evidence that the problem has been solved.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears didn't record a sack against Cincinnati. Josh Johnson had enough time to settle into the game, completing 15 of 23 passes with two touchdowns before Sean Clifford added another touchdown pass in the second half.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Sure, Van den Berg's performance was encouraging. But Chicago needs pressure off the edge, too.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Montez Sweat can't be the entire pass rush. Austin Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, Davenport and whoever else makes this rotation have to give Allen another reliable way to affect quarterbacks, and that didn't happen Saturday.\x3C/p>\x3Cimg class=\"my-4 rounded\" src=\"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1787499421734-h69vjh.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NzQ5OTQyMTczNC1oNjl2amgud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODc0OTk0MjIsImV4cCI6MjEwMjg1OTQyMn0.W46YFrcFr7keb7EwoEe9obhm-nAZoMoRnt66sWaBF58\" alt=\"Kaden Davis\">\x3Cp>Katie Stratman-Imagn Images\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Stock down: Kaden Davis, WR\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Kaden Davis has been one of the best stories of Bears training camp. But Saturday just wasn't his night.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Davis entered the game after catching four passes for 88 yards against Cleveland, earning praise from Press Taylor and Williams and continuing his impressive summer with a touchdown during Thursday's joint practice.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Then he went without a reception against Cincinnati.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>One quiet preseason game doesn't erase everything Davis has accomplished. His special-teams ability also remains an important part of his roster case.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>While Davis was quiet, Alexander caught five passes for 60 yards. JP Richardson added five receptions for 48 yards.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>No, Davis didn't necessarily lose his roster spot Saturday. But he did allow some of his competition to gain ground.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Stock down: Chicago's discipline\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Chicago committed only two penalties for 10 yards in its preseason-opening win over Cleveland, a performance Johnson praised for its discipline. Against Cincinnati, that progress disappeared.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears were penalized 11 times for 81 yards and converted just 2 of 14 third downs.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>After Thursday's joint practice, Williams said cleaning up penalties accounted for \"90%\" of what the Bears needed to fix. Two days later, penalties were one of their biggest problems.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Stock down: The idea that joint practices can replace preseason reps\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>This might be the biggest takeaway from Saturday night.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears got plenty of good work from their starters during Thursday's joint practice. Williams threw three red-zone touchdowns. Colston Loveland made an impressive touchdown catch despite tight coverage. Dillon Thieneman intercepted Burrow. Chicago's offense produced explosive plays.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>That was encouraging. But a controlled joint practice still isn't a game. Saturday made that distinction painfully obvious.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Williams' only possession featured some positives, including completions to Rome Odunze and Loveland. But the drive stalled after Jones' holding penalty and ended with Santos kicking a 45-yard field goal. Williams finished his night after five attempts.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Then Chicago's defense allowed Cincinnati's reserves to possess the football for more than seven minutes on its first opportunity.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Saturday provided a pretty compelling argument that this Bears team could benefit from more actual game reps before the results start counting.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Chicago closes the preseason against the Tennessee Titans, with another joint practice scheduled before the game. Johnson now has a decision to make. He can again treat the joint practice as sufficient preparation for his starters, or he can look at what happened in Cincinnati and decide his team needs one more legitimate dress rehearsal before Week 1 against Carolina.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>After Saturday night, the latter suddenly looks a lot more appealing.\x3C/p>",excerpt:"The Bears' loss to Cincinnati exposed troubling issues, but Jordan van den Berg and several roster hopefuls strengthened their cases before final cuts.",featured_image_url:"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1787499100559-g4jfm5.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NzQ5OTEwMDU1OS1nNGpmbTUud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODc0OTkxMDEsImV4cCI6MjEwMjg1OTEwMX0.k3H4cDt_zdaJqoV98c-epgM6l_rBF9keErofDn0yxJM",photo_credit:"Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images",status:"published",created_at:"2026-08-23T14:49:37.604296+00:00",author_display_name:"Bryan Perez",author_gravatar_hash:"ce9d5105163cfec1a527c0b2f50332df",author_avatar_url:"/api/public/media/authors/bryanjperez-2026.jpg",category_names:$R[21]=["News"],tags:$R[22]=["caleb williams","chicago bears","jordan van den berg","NFL preseason"],meta_title:"Chicago Bears stock up, stock down after Bengals loss",meta_description:"The Bears' loss to Cincinnati exposed troubling issues, but Jordan van den Berg and several roster hopefuls strengthened their cases before final cuts.",og_image_url:null,canonical_url:null,focus_keyword:"Chicago Bears",reading_time_minutes:7,is_draft:!1,scheduled_publish_at:null,visibility:"public",is_featured:!1},$R[23]={id:"1ed6c1a1-006e-4631-8ef1-b4aa989e0564",wp_post_id:100000000099,title:"ESPN's Bears position rankings reveal elite strength and some head-scratching weaknesses",slug:"chicago-bears-espn-nfl-position-group-rankings-2026",wp_link:null,url_date_path:"2026/08/22",published_at:"2026-08-22T17:24:40.004+00:00",updated_at:"2026-08-22T17:24:40.004+00:00",author_login:"bryanjperez",content:"\x3Cp>The Chicago Bears enter the 2026 season with a roster good enough to defend their NFC North title. But just how good is it compared to the rest of the NFL?\x3C/p>\x3Cp>ESPN's Mike Clay tackled that question by \x3Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49638556/2026-nfl-season-positional-group-best-worst-quarterbacks-cornerbacks-receivers\">ranking all 32 teams at 10 major position groups\x3C/a>, then combining those evaluations into an overall roster ranking weighted for positional importance.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The result for Chicago is decidedly middle of the pack.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears rank No. 16 overall, with an elite offensive line and two top-10 defensive position groups offset by some surprisingly low rankings at running back and wide receiver, and significant concerns along the defensive front.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Here's where Chicago ranks at all 10 positions:\x3C/p>\x3Cul>\x3Cli>\x3Cp>\x3Cstrong>Quarterback:\x3C/strong> No. 12\x3C/p>\x3C/li>\x3Cli>\x3Cp>\x3Cstrong>Running back:\x3C/strong> No. 24\x3C/p>\x3C/li>\x3Cli>\x3Cp>\x3Cstrong>Wide receiver:\x3C/strong> No. 24\x3C/p>\x3C/li>\x3Cli>\x3Cp>\x3Cstrong>Tight end:\x3C/strong> No. 6\x3C/p>\x3C/li>\x3Cli>\x3Cp>\x3Cstrong>Offensive line:\x3C/strong> No. 3\x3C/p>\x3C/li>\x3Cli>\x3Cp>\x3Cstrong>Interior defensive line:\x3C/strong> No. 29\x3C/p>\x3C/li>\x3Cli>\x3Cp>\x3Cstrong>Edge rusher:\x3C/strong> No. 22\x3C/p>\x3C/li>\x3Cli>\x3Cp>\x3Cstrong>Off-ball linebacker:\x3C/strong> No. 8\x3C/p>\x3C/li>\x3Cli>\x3Cp>\x3Cstrong>Cornerback:\x3C/strong> No. 9\x3C/p>\x3C/li>\x3Cli>\x3Cp>\x3Cstrong>Safety:\x3C/strong> No. 21\x3C/p>\x3C/li>\x3Cli>\x3Cp>\x3Cstrong>Overall:\x3C/strong> \x3Cstrong>No. 16\x3C/strong>\x3C/p>\x3C/li>\x3C/ul>\x3Ch2>Bears offensive line gets the respect it deserves\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Chicago's highest-ranked unit is the offensive line at No. 3, trailing only the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears led the NFL in pass block win rate (73.6%) and finished fifth in run block win rate (73.5%) last season after allowing a league-high 68 sacks in 2024.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Joe Thuney remains one of football's premier guards, Jonah Jackson returns beside him, and Darnell Wright has developed into one of the league's best young tackles, enough for the Bears to recently give him a four-year, $116 million extension with $93 million guaranteed.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Still, it's not a perfect group.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Left tackle remains unsettled, with Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet receiving opportunities. Garrett Bradbury is replacing the retired Drew Dalman at center, and questions are beginning to emerge about his ability to hold down the starting spot all season.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>But No. 3 feels appropriate based on the combination of returning production and high-end talent.\x3C/p>\x3Cimg class=\"my-4 rounded\" src=\"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1785350925187-2fs1ya.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NTM1MDkyNTE4Ny0yZnMxeWEud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODUzNTA5MjYsImV4cCI6MjEwMDcxMDkyNn0.mHmhXbaYY1BAqkYeN0rLWIWFLA5AB10Jx4AfkK1xt5A\" alt=\"Rome Odunze Bears\">\x3Ch2>ESPN is surprisingly low on Bears' running backs and receivers\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>ESPN ranks Chicago only 24th at running back and 24th at wide receiver.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The running back ranking feels especially harsh.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>D'Andre Swift is coming off a career year with 1,087 rushing yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Kyle Monangai added 783 yards and five touchdowns at 4.6 yards per attempt as a rookie.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Maybe Chicago doesn't have the superstar running back that Indianapolis, Philadelphia or Atlanta does. That's fair.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>But the Swift-Monangai combination finishing in the bottom quarter of the NFL is difficult to reconcile with what the Bears actually got from the position in 2025.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>As for wide receiver, that's a bit more complicated.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>DJ Moore is gone, leaving Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III as the primary young weapons. Both have enormous upside, but neither has produced a full season of elite NFL production yet. Burden is also currently dealing with a groin injury.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Still, No. 24 seems pessimistic.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Odunze was producing like a high-end receiver before his foot injury disrupted his 2025 season, while Burden became increasingly productive as his role expanded during the second half.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears don't have a Ja'Marr Chase-Tee Higgins caliber combination. Few teams do.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>But Odunze and Burden have a chance to make No. 24 look silly by December.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Colston Loveland pushes Bears tight ends into NFL's top six\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>ESPN is considerably more bullish on Chicago at tight end, ranking the Bears sixth.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>That's primarily a reflection of what Colston Loveland accomplished as a rookie and what he could become in Year 2.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Loveland caught 58 passes for 713 yards and six touchdowns during the 2025 regular season, establishing himself as one of Williams' most important weapons. And the training camp reviews have been glowing.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Ben Johnson has praised Loveland's understanding of multiple positions in the offense, while Odunze recently called him a \"rare\" talent and said he's learned from the tight end's route running and fluidity.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Add Cole Kmet to the equation, and No. 6 might actually undersell the ceiling of this group.\x3C/p>\x3Cimg class=\"my-4 rounded\" src=\"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1787251722891-yvzm64.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NzI1MTcyMjg5MS15dnptNjQud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODcyNTE3NDQsImV4cCI6MjEwMjYxMTc0NH0.fHFFSJYQ-irb2Lrt3I9xMWU-q7rbvE03O5_45JE5PSM\" alt=\"Caleb Williams Bears Bengals\">\x3Ch2>Caleb Williams lands just outside ESPN's top 10 quarterbacks\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Williams and the Bears' quarterback room rank 12th.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>That's another ranking Bears fans could reasonably debate after Williams' second-year breakthrough.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>He threw for a franchise-record 3,942 yards in 2025 while leading Chicago to an 11-6 record, an NFC North championship and a playoff victory over Green Bay.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>But look at the quarterbacks ahead of him, and the ranking becomes easier to understand.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>ESPN has Buffalo, the Rams, Kansas City, Baltimore and Cincinnati in its top five, while Green Bay, San Francisco, Washington, Dallas, the Chargers and New England also rank ahead of Chicago.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Williams hasn't reached the established elite tier yet. The opportunity to get there is staring him in the face in 2026.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Bears defensive front remains the glaring weakness\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>And then we get to the concerning part.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>ESPN ranks Chicago's interior defensive line 29th and edge rushers 22nd.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears finished 31st in pass rush win rate and 26th in run stop win rate last season, and there wasn't a dramatic offseason overhaul up front.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Montez Sweat remains Chicago's primary edge threat. Dayo Odeyingbo and Austin Booker need to provide more pressure, while the Bears recently added veteran Marcus Davenport to the mix.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Inside, Chicago is leaning heavily on Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr., with players such as Jordan van den Berg and preseason standout Jamree Kromah trying to earn larger roles.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Bears' linebackers and cornerbacks receive top-10 rankings\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>ESPN likes the next two levels of Chicago's defense considerably more.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears rank eighth at off-ball linebacker and ninth at cornerback.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Chicago has Devin Bush and T.J. Edwards at linebacker, while Jaylon Johnson anchors the cornerback room. Kyler Gordon would make the secondary substantially stronger if he can finally get healthy, and rookie Malik Muhammad has generated positive reviews throughout training camp.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Gordon remains on the mend with a soft-tissue injury, and there's no firm return date. That makes ESPN's No. 9 cornerback ranking feel almost like an evaluation of what Chicago \x3Cem>can\x3C/em> be rather than what Dennis Allen currently has available.\x3C/p>\x3Cimg class=\"my-4 rounded\" src=\"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1786022726188-dtg67h.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NjAyMjcyNjE4OC1kdGc2N2gud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODYwMjI3MjYsImV4cCI6MjEwMTM4MjcyNn0.cKGq8VpQf91CgntH9yDnCFR5lEaAM9fNDmPpfD1SFd4\" alt=\"Coby Bryant\">\x3Ch2>Coby Bryant injury takes a toll on Bears' safety ranking\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Safety comes in at No. 21, another ranking influenced by injuries.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Chicago signed Coby Bryant to strengthen the position, only to lose him to a significant knee injury that required surgery. Bryant is expected to miss four to six months, leaving the Bears hoping he can potentially return for the playoffs.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>That puts more pressure on veteran Xavier Woods and rookie Dillon Thieneman.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Thieneman has been one of the most encouraging stories of training camp and intercepted Joe Burrow during Thursday's joint practice with Cincinnati. But relying heavily on a rookie safety wasn't necessarily the plan when camp opened.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>ESPN's No. 16 overall ranking feels low, but explains Bears' path in 2026\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>When all 10 position groups are weighted for importance, ESPN places Chicago 16th overall.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>That's fascinating for a team coming off an 11-win season and division championship. And it illustrates how the Bears can prove ESPN wrong.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Williams needs to turn his 2025 breakout into a legitimate top-10 — perhaps top-five — quarterback season. Odunze and Burden need to transform potential into production. The offensive line needs to remain elite despite the changes at center and left tackle. Most importantly, the defensive front has to outperform expectations.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Chicago already has top-10 rankings at offensive line, tight end, linebacker, and cornerback. If Williams elevates the quarterback room and the young receivers emerge, this offense could be significantly better than ESPN's overall ranking suggests.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears might have enough offensive firepower to win another NFC North title. Whether they have enough pass rush to make a deeper playoff run remains the bigger question.\x3C/p>",excerpt:"ESPN ranked all 10 Bears position groups entering 2026, with Chicago boasting a top-three offensive line but landing surprisingly low at several key spots.",featured_image_url:"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1787419255729-9dyeeq.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NzQxOTI1NTcyOS05ZHllZXEud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODc0MTkyNTYsImV4cCI6MjEwMjc3OTI1Nn0.NELmczb-XX9XXJPEKDQyaWOGwEjGD3wYi-lswa6sEkQ",photo_credit:"Todd Rosenberg/GettyImages",status:"published",created_at:"2026-08-22T16:58:09.357556+00:00",author_display_name:"Bryan Perez",author_gravatar_hash:"ce9d5105163cfec1a527c0b2f50332df",author_avatar_url:"/api/public/media/authors/bryanjperez-2026.jpg",category_names:$R[24]=["News"],tags:$R[25]=["2026 NFL season","chicago bears","position rankings"],meta_title:"ESPN ranks every Bears position group entering 2026",meta_description:"ESPN ranked every NFL position group for 2026. See where Caleb Williams and the Bears landed, including an elite offensive line and major concerns.",og_image_url:null,canonical_url:null,focus_keyword:"Chicago Bears",reading_time_minutes:6,is_draft:!1,scheduled_publish_at:null,visibility:"public",is_featured:!1},$R[26]={id:"2e7ccbf8-7a35-4fd1-ba92-45d2c61913ac",wp_post_id:100000000098,title:"Bears land 2 cornerstone players on NFL's top 25 under 25 ranking",slug:"caleb-williams-darnell-wright-nfl-top-25-under-25",wp_link:null,url_date_path:"2026/08/22",published_at:"2026-08-22T16:48:37.589+00:00",updated_at:"2026-08-22T16:48:37.589+00:00",author_login:"bryanjperez",content:"\x3Cp>The Chicago Bears' roster has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last few years, but perhaps the most encouraging part of Ryan Poles' rebuild is how much of the team's core remains young.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Two players in particular are already being recognized among the NFL's best young stars.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Caleb Williams and Darnell Wright both landed on \x3Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7519747/2026/08/21/nfl-top-players-25-and-under-rankings/\">The Athletic's ranking of the NFL's top 25 players age 25 and under\x3C/a>, with Williams checking in at No. 21 and Wright at No. 23.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell earned the No. 1 spot, followed by Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton and Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>For the Bears, having both their franchise quarterback and franchise right tackle make the list is another indication that the foundation of Ben Johnson's offense is built for the long haul.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Caleb Williams checks in at No. 21\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Williams' inclusion shouldn't come as much of a surprise after his breakout second season.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Williams threw for a franchise-record 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and only seven interceptions in 2025, helping Chicago finish 11-6, win the NFC North and defeat the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>And he's still only 24.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>What's interesting about The Athletic's ranking is where Williams falls relative to the other young quarterbacks.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>New England's Drake Maye ranks 11th, Washington's Jayden Daniels is 13th, and Houston's C.J. Stroud is 19th. Williams comes in at No. 21.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>That leaves Williams fourth among quarterbacks on the list.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>There's certainly room to debate that order, particularly after what Williams accomplished during his first season with Johnson. The pairing helped transform a Bears offense that had spent decades searching for stability at quarterback.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Williams' next challenge is turning last year's breakthrough into his new baseline.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>His 58.1% completion percentage remains an obvious area for improvement, and Williams has spent training camp talking about mastering Johnson's offense and becoming more consistent in situational football.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>If that happens, No. 21 could look awfully conservative a year from now.\x3C/p>\x3Cimg class=\"my-4 rounded\" src=\"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1787417300429-1sxg4j.avif?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NzQxNzMwMDQyOS0xc3hnNGouYXZpZiIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODc0MTczMDEsImV4cCI6MjEwMjc3NzMwMX0.B-ZFfql1PG-keigEAhf24P5U4dQmXDqtR8EET14V-ZU\" alt=\"Darnell Wright Bears \">\x3Cp>Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Darnell Wright lands at No. 23\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Wright ranks No. 23 overall, making him one of only two offensive tackles to crack the top 25. Sewell, who tops the entire ranking, is the other.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>That is elite company.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>And Chicago recently paid Wright accordingly.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears signed Wright to a four-year, $116 million extension with $93 million guaranteed, cementing the former first-round pick as one of the foundational pieces of their offensive line.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Wright's development has been one of the biggest success stories of Poles' tenure. The No. 10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has developed from a physically gifted prospect into one of the league's premier young tackles.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>His emergence was also critical to Chicago's dramatic offensive-line improvement in 2025. The Bears finished first in ESPN's pass block win rate and fifth in run block win rate after allowing a league-high 68 sacks the previous season.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Now he's being recognized alongside the NFL's best players in his age group.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Bears have even more young talent waiting behind Williams and Wright\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Perhaps the most exciting part for Chicago is that Williams and Wright aren't the only candidates who could eventually appear on a list like this.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears have assembled a substantial collection of young talent that includes Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, Rome Odunze, Dillon Thieneman, Austin Booker and Kyle Monangai.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>In fact, ESPN recently ranked Chicago third in the NFL for under-25 talent, trailing only the New England Patriots and Houston Texans.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Loveland is probably the most obvious omission from The Athletic's top 25.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The second-year tight end caught 58 passes for 713 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie before adding 193 receiving yards over Chicago's two playoff games. Another major step forward in 2026 could quickly propel him into the conversation among the league's premier young players.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Burden is another candidate after flashing tremendous efficiency during the second half of his rookie season.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>That's what should be most encouraging for Bears fans. Williams and Wright have already arrived, and several more could be coming.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>For a franchise that spent far too many years searching for a quarterback and struggling to build a sustainable offensive core around him, having a 24-year-old franchise quarterback and a 24-year-old cornerstone right tackle ranked among the NFL's best young players is a pretty good place to start.\x3C/p>",excerpt:"Caleb Williams and Darnell Wright both made The Athletic's ranking of the NFL's top 25 players age 25 and under, highlighting the Bears' young foundation.",featured_image_url:"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1787417055534-jprg4g.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NzQxNzA1NTUzNC1qcHJnNGcud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODc0MTcwNTYsImV4cCI6MjEwMjc3NzA1Nn0.E6RMaVf582EmNr6q4b12B-jxn7MbosVdFAUPK2viUuc",photo_credit:"USA TODAY Sports",status:"published",created_at:"2026-08-22T16:39:06.844614+00:00",author_display_name:"Bryan Perez",author_gravatar_hash:"ce9d5105163cfec1a527c0b2f50332df",author_avatar_url:"/api/public/media/authors/bryanjperez-2026.jpg",category_names:$R[27]=["News"],tags:$R[28]=["2026 nfl season","caleb williams","chicago bears","darnell wright"],meta_title:"Two Bears make NFL top 25 players under 25 ranking",meta_description:"Caleb Williams and Darnell Wright made The Athletic's ranking of the NFL's top 25 players age 25 and under, highlighting the Chicago Bears' young foundation.",og_image_url:null,canonical_url:null,focus_keyword:"Chicago Bears",reading_time_minutes:3,is_draft:!1,scheduled_publish_at:null,visibility:"public",is_featured:!1},$R[29]={id:"29a5261d-46cc-4008-86a7-e52d03ab4323",wp_post_id:100000000097,title:"6 Bears with the most to prove vs. Bengals in Preseason Week 2",slug:"bears-bengals-6-players-to-watch-preseason-week-2",wp_link:null,url_date_path:"2026/08/21",published_at:"2026-08-21T20:39:54.288+00:00",updated_at:"2026-08-21T20:39:54.288+00:00",author_login:"bryanjperez",content:"\x3Cp>If you’re tuning in to Saturday night’s Chicago Bears preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals hoping to see Caleb Williams and the rest of the starting offense pick up where they left off during Thursday’s joint practice, prepare for a different kind of game.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears used the joint session to get their starters extensive work against Cincinnati’s first units. While Ben Johnson has not formally announced his entire playing-time plan, this game is expected to lean heavily toward reserves and players battling for roster spots. The Bengals have already indicated their starters won’t play.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Still, that doesn't make Saturday meaningless. Quite the opposite, actually.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Chicago's 34-10 preseason-opening victory over the Cleveland Browns produced several players who strengthened their cases for the 53-man roster. Now they have another opportunity as cutdown day gets closer.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Here are six Bears players worth watching against the Bengals.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>1. Kaden Davis, WR\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>At this point, Kaden Davis might be Chicago's most compelling roster-bubble player.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Davis caught four passes for 88 yards against Cleveland and followed that performance with more impressive work in practice. During Thursday's joint session, he caught a diving touchdown from Williams during red-zone drills.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The praise keeps coming.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Passing game coordinator Press Taylor recently said Davis continues to earn opportunities because he keeps putting productive reps on tape. Williams has been impressed, too, praising Davis' ability to learn the offense quickly and calling him \"explosive\" and \"fun to watch.\"\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The question now is whether Davis can do it again.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Chicago's receiver room is crowded, and Davis needs to prove he can provide value beyond one big preseason performance. Another productive night against Cincinnati could make him increasingly difficult to leave off the roster.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>2. Theo Benedet, LT\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>No position battle deserves more attention Saturday than left tackle.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet split reps there during Thursday's joint practice, but Benedet had a difficult finish against Cincinnati's pass rush. Now comes the response.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Bears recently moved Benedet up the depth chart at left tackle while shifting Jedrick Wills Jr. and Kiran Amegadjie toward the right side. Jones would appear to have the advantage in the competition, but Chicago is still evaluating its options.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>For Benedet, Saturday represents an opportunity to put Thursday's joint practice behind him.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>And unlike most preseason roster battles, this one could determine who protects Williams' blind side when the regular season begins.\x3C/p>\x3Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-tweet-url=\"https://x.com/itsfickybaby/status/2089035714163798303?s=20\" data-dnd=\"embed\">\x3Ca href=\"https://x.com/itsfickybaby/status/2089035714163798303?s=20\">https://x.com/itsfickybaby/status/2089035714163798303?s=20\x3C/a>\x3C/blockquote>\x3Ch2>3. Logan Jones, C\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Keep an eye on No. 54. Rookie Logan Jones currently sits behind Garrett Bradbury at center on Chicago's depth chart. The Bears invested the 56th overall pick in Jones, however, making him considerably more than just developmental depth.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>And Thursday's joint practice made the center situation a little more interesting.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Bradbury and Williams had a fumbled exchange on the opening snap, while Cincinnati generated significant pressure through the Bears' offensive front.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>There's no indication Bradbury is suddenly fighting for his starting job. But Jones represents a high-upside option if communication and protection problems become a recurring issue.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Saturday should provide the rookie with plenty of snaps to show how quickly he's progressing.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>4. Jamree Kromah, DE\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Kromah was arguably the biggest Bears breakout performer against Cleveland, finishing with six tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Ben Johnson loved what he saw, praising Kromah's get-off and relentless style while noting how excited Chicago's other defensive linemen were as he made plays.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>One dominant preseason game gets everyone's attention. Doing it again starts changing the roster conversation.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Kromah is currently listed behind Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker, and several others on the defensive line. In comes newly signed veteran Marcus Davenport, too. That makes every pass-rush opportunity valuable.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Another disruptive performance Saturday could force the Bears to find room for him.\x3C/p>\x3Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-tweet-url=\"https://x.com/itsfickybaby/status/2089375432030204158?s=20\" data-dnd=\"embed\">\x3Ca href=\"https://x.com/itsfickybaby/status/2089375432030204158?s=20\">https://x.com/itsfickybaby/status/2089375432030204158?s=20\x3C/a>\x3C/blockquote>\x3Ch2>5. Malik Muhammad, CB\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Malik Muhammad's first NFL training camp has already generated legitimate excitement.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The rookie is currently listed behind Tyrique Stevenson at cornerback, but Chicago has explored different combinations while Kyler Gordon remains unavailable.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Muhammad has flashed the confidence and aggressiveness the Bears liked when they drafted him. The next test is translating those traits into preseason production.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>With most established starters unlikely to need extensive work Saturday, Muhammad should have an opportunity to play meaningful snaps. The Bears need young defensive backs to emerge, especially with Coby Bryant facing a lengthy recovery from knee surgery and Gordon still rehabbing.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Muhammad has a chance to show he's ready for more than a developmental role. In fact, with a strong performance against the Bengals, he might all but lock up a starting job.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>6. Dillon Thieneman, S\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>Dillon Thieneman is already one of the most exciting young players on Chicago's defense.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The rookie safety added another impressive moment Thursday when he intercepted Joe Burrow during the joint practice. Burrow forced a pass toward Mike Gesicki in tight coverage; the football was deflected, and Thieneman was positioned behind the play to secure the interception. \x3C/p>\x3Cp>That's exactly the kind of playmaking Chicago needs from its secondary, especially after losing the NFL's leader in interceptions in 2025, Kevin Byard.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Thieneman is already listed with the first team on the Bears' current depth chart, which means his reps will likely be limited on Saturday night.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Still, preseason reps, no matter how many he gets, provide another test of his communication, tackling, and ability to diagnose NFL offenses when the action isn't scripted.\x3C/p>\x3Ch2>Bears-Bengals is about the bottom half of the roster\x3C/h2>\x3Cp>The biggest Bears stars won't be the reason to watch Saturday night. The roster battles will.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Chicago's current depth chart still contains plenty of uncertainty at receiver, offensive line, defensive line, and throughout the secondary.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Players like Davis and Kromah are trying to turn impressive preseason openers into legitimate roster spots. Benedet is fighting for something much bigger: a starting job. Jones, Muhammad, and Thieneman represent young players the Bears hope can become important pieces of the roster.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>And that's what preseason football is really about.\x3C/p>",excerpt:"The Bears' biggest names won't be the focus against Cincinnati. These six players have roster spots, starting jobs and bigger roles at stake Saturday night.",featured_image_url:"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1787344385525-y1i6x9.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NzM0NDM4NTUyNS15MWk2eDkud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODczNDQzODgsImV4cCI6MjEwMjcwNDM4OH0.7fLttac6drlLcHDil4CmxR9HWOFgxq9TXaadet2grZ4",photo_credit:"(Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)",status:"published",created_at:"2026-08-21T20:22:32.255081+00:00",author_display_name:"Bryan Perez",author_gravatar_hash:"ce9d5105163cfec1a527c0b2f50332df",author_avatar_url:"/api/public/media/authors/bryanjperez-2026.jpg",category_names:$R[30]=["News"],tags:$R[31]=["chicago bears","dillon thieneman","jamree kromah","kaden davis","logan jones","malik muhammad","nfl preseason","theo benedet"],meta_title:"6 Bears with the most to prove vs. Bengals in Preseason Wk 2",meta_description:"The Bears' biggest names won't be the focus against Cincinnati. These six players have roster spots, starting jobs and bigger roles at stake Saturday night.",og_image_url:null,canonical_url:null,focus_keyword:"Chicago Bears",reading_time_minutes:5,is_draft:!1,scheduled_publish_at:null,visibility:"public",is_featured:!1}]},ssr:!0}],lastMatchId:"$year$month$day$slug20240710nfl-rankings-2024-espn-edge-rushers-chicago-bears-montez-sweat"})($R["tsr"]);$_TSR.e();document.currentScript.remove()