Bears' PFF grades on offense reveal standouts and major concern at left tackle

Case Keenum earned Chicago's highest offensive grade at 86.7, while newcomers Ray-Ray McCloud III and Salvon Ahmed also landed near the top.

But perhaps the most interesting grades came at left tackle.

Neither Jedrick Wills Jr. nor Kiran Amegadjie distinguished himself, and Amegadjie's numbers were particularly concerning as the Bears continue searching for their Week 1 starter.

Case Keenum earns Bears' highest offensive grade

Keenum couldn't have done much more with his opportunity.

The veteran quarterback completed 9 of 10 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns in Chicago's win. PFF rewarded him with an 86.7 overall offensive grade and an 80.2 passing grade, both easily strong enough to put him atop the Bears' offensive rankings.

His performance came after Tyson Bagent started and played the first half.

Bagent completed 13 of 22 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but PFF wasn't nearly as impressed. His 46.6 overall grade ranked 24th among the 27 Bears offensive players graded.

That doesn't necessarily mean Chicago suddenly has a quarterback controversy behind Caleb Williams. Bagent faced different personnel and circumstances than Keenum.

Still, Keenum couldn't have made a much stronger first impression.

Ray-Ray McCloud immediately makes his presence felt

One of the Bears' newest additions also produced one of their highest grades.

McCloud earned a 74.2 overall grade, second only to Keenum. His 73.6 receiving grade also reflected an encouraging debut shortly after joining Chicago's crowded receiver room.

McCloud's experience as both a receiver and return specialist gives him multiple ways to earn a roster spot, and his first preseason opportunity certainly didn't hurt.

Offensive tackle Mason Murphy ranked third at 74.1, followed by JP Richardson and Salvon Ahmed, who tied at 73.6.

Ahmed's grade shouldn't surprise anyone who watched the game. The veteran running back turned five touches into 72 yards from scrimmage, including a 49-yard touchdown reception from Keenum. His performance earned a 74.9 rushing grade and 72.1 receiving grade.

Ben Johnson said after the game that Ahmed's "slashing mentality" has shown up throughout camp. The Bears coach also made it clear that special teams and pass protection will ultimately help determine the roster battle behind D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.

The PFF grade provides another piece of evidence supporting Ahmed's case.

(Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

Kaden Davis continues making his roster case

Kaden Davis was one of the most productive Bears on the field Saturday, and his PFF grade backed it up.

Davis earned a 72.6 overall grade and 71.4 receiving grade, ranking seventh on the offense. He led Chicago with four catches for 88 yards, including a 41-yard reception.

With Luther Burden III currently sidelined by a groin injury, every additional receiver rep matters. Davis has taken advantage of his opportunities throughout camp and continued doing so against Cleveland.

He's still fighting through a crowded depth chart, but Saturday was exactly the type of performance a roster hopeful like him needs.

PFF grades aren't encouraging for Bears' left tackle battle

Then we get to the left tackles. And this is where the grades become much more concerning.

Wills finished 18th among Chicago's offensive players with a 58.2 overall grade. His 53.4 run-blocking grade was underwhelming, while he received a 59.2 pass-blocking grade.

Amegadjie was even lower.

The former third-round pick finished 25th with a 44.8 overall grade, including an ugly 33.9 run-blocking grade and a 49.6 pass-blocking grade.

Offensive line coach Dan Roushar said before the game that Wills and Amegadjie had been relatively even during camp and that the coaching staff needed more evidence to evaluate the competition. Saturday provided more evidence; It just didn't provide a convincing winner.

That's especially relevant after the Bears activated Ozzy Trapilo from the PUP list, making him eligible to practice as he works his way back from the knee injury he suffered during last season's playoffs. Braxton Jones is back, too.

If Wills or Amegadjie wanted to create distance before those other options became factors, the Browns game was an opportunity to do it. Neither did.

PFF grades shouldn't be treated as the definitive evaluation of a player's performance, particularly in a preseason game with constantly changing personnel and matchups. But they are another useful data point. And Chicago's first set of grades tells a pretty coherent story.

Keenum was excellent. Ahmed and Davis helped themselves. McCloud made an immediate impression.

And nobody solved the Bears' left tackle problem.