The Chicago Bears didn't have many reasons to feel good about their 27-9 preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. But Pro Football Focus' grades from Saturday night identified several individual performances worth paying attention to, and some of the highest marks belonged to players fighting for jobs.
To avoid overreacting to tiny samples, I'm using a minimum threshold of 15 offensive or defensive snaps when identifying Chicago's highest-graded players. That eliminates players such as Darnell Wright and Colston Loveland, who graded extremely well but played fewer than 10 snaps.
With that qualifier in place, wide receiver Maurice Alexander was Chicago's highest-graded offensive player, while defensive back Skyler Thomas led the defense.
And both performances matter with final roster cuts approaching.
Bears' highest PFF grades on offense vs. Bengals
Among Bears who played at least 15 offensive snaps, these were the five highest PFF grades:
Maurice Alexander: 87.3
JP Richardson: 74.3
Sam Roush: 69.7
Roschon Johnson: 69.1
Mason Murphy: 68.0
Maurice Alexander strengthens his roster case
Alexander's 87.3 overall grade wasn't just the best among qualifying Bears offensive players. It was easily the best.
PFF also gave him an 84.2 receiving grade across 25 offensive snaps.
Alexander caught all five of his targets for a team-high 60 yards and became one of Chicago's most reliable offensive options in an otherwise forgettable performance. And the timing couldn't be better.
Kaden Davis has generated significantly more buzz throughout training camp, while JP Richardson has made his own push. Alexander needed a performance that forced his way back into the conversation for one of the Bears' final receiver spots.
An 87.3 PFF grade certainly qualifies.
JP Richardson keeps stacking solid performances
Richardson continues to quietly make his roster case, too.
His 74.3 overall grade ranked second among Bears players who saw at least 15 offensive snaps. He earned a 73.2 receiving grade while playing 39 snaps.
Richardson caught five passes for 48 yards against Cincinnati, including a 19-yard reception that helped put Chicago in position for Cairo Santos' field goal just before halftime. He's not getting the same attention as some of the other receivers, but he keeps hanging around.
Sam Roush is surging
Roush finished with a 69.7 overall grade over 26 offensive snaps. His receiving grade was even better at 72.3.
The rookie third-round pick is the clear front-runner to be the TE3 behind Loveland and Cole Kmet, which matters more in 2026 than in recent years. The Bears value multiple-tight-end personnel in Ben Johnson's offense; Roush will be on the field a lot.
Roschon Johnson's PFF grade backs up Ben Johnson's praise
Roschon Johnson continues to help himself. He earned a 69.1 overall grade, including a 78.7 pass-blocking grade, across 26 offensive snaps.
Ben Johnson has repeatedly emphasized that Chicago's reserve running backs need to contribute beyond simply carrying the football. Special teams and pass protection could ultimately determine the final spots behind D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
Johnson had the kind of all-around performance that could secure an RB3 role.
Mason Murphy quietly grades well again
Murphy rounds out the qualifying top five with a 68.0 overall grade.
The reserve tackle played 23 snaps and earned a 77.1 run-blocking grade, another encouraging performance from an offensive lineman fighting for a spot way down the depth chart.
Given how unsettled Chicago's tackle situation has been all summer, every competent performance matters.
Comments
Join the Conversation
Sign up to comment on this story
Create a free BearsTalk account to comment, earn points, and join the community.
Loading comments…
