Bears Preseason Takeaways: Gritty Win Over the Chiefs

The Chicago Bears walked away with a preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs, but if you watched the game, you know it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. Preseason games are all about evaluation, and this one gave us plenty to chew on—both good and bad.

Slow Start for the Defense

The defense opened the game on the field and looked gassed from the very first drive. Kansas City scored 17 points on their first three possessions, and the Bears’ cardio looked nowhere near game-ready. The secondary didn’t help much either—pass coverage was soft, and Wright looked very suspect at cornerback. Even though the defensive line generated pressure, Patrick Mahomes and the backups easily escaped, making the pass rush look less effective than it really was.

Tre Flowers deserves a mention here too—he seemed to draw a flag for pass interference almost every time he was targeted. Not a great look for a depth piece.

Early Offensive Struggles

On the other side of the ball, the offense came out rattled. First road trip of the year, and it showed. Execution wasn’t sharp, and OC Ben Johnson looked visibly frustrated on the sideline. It’s preseason, sure, but his intensity is refreshing—he’s clearly trying to establish a winning culture even when the stakes are low.

Playmakers Flashing Potential

Despite the shaky start, there were bright spots:

• Olamide Zaccheaus is building noticeable chemistry with Caleb Williams. The question is whether Caleb can deliver consistently enough to maximize all these weapons.

• Rome Odunze had a rough drop on a contested catch but bounced back with two huge plays, including a touchdown. That kind of resilience is what you want to see.

• Daniel Hardy looked like a high-motor rotational piece on the defensive line and could be an underrated depth guy.

• Johnny Walker came up clutch late in the game, helping seal the win.

• Tyson Bagent might have been facing backups, but his poise and game management stood out. He doesn’t have the strongest arm, but you can’t deny he runs the offense efficiently.

Special Teams Notes

Kicking coverage needs work. Cairo Santos is doing his job putting the ball at the two-yard line, but the coverage unit isn’t collapsing in groups fast enough, leaving returners too much room.

Second-Team Struggles

When the second-team offensive line rotated in, the running game stalled completely. No push, no space, nothing for the backs to work with. If Swift or Roschon go down, depth in the trenches could become a serious concern.

Questions Coming Out of This Game

As with any preseason matchup, the biggest value isn’t the score—it’s the questions it leaves us with. Here are mine after watching this one:

1. Quarterback Depth – If Caleb Williams doesn’t figure it out early, do we ever see Tyson Bagent? He’s not flashy, but he’s a steady game manager.

2. Wide Receiver Room – Typically, teams carry 5–7 WRs. DJ Moore, Odunze, Burden, and Zaccheaus look locked in. So who earns the last spot(s)?

3. Running Back Decisions – Rosters usually keep four RBs. D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson are safe, but who else makes the cut?

4. DJ Moore’s Future? – If Odunze and Burden show legitimate WR1/2 potential after a few weeks, is Moore even tradeable? It’s a bold thought, but not impossible.

Final Thoughts

Preseason wins may not matter in the standings, but they do matter for culture and confidence. Ben Johnson clearly thinks so, pushing his team to grind this one out rather than shrugging it off as “just preseason.” That mentality could carry over into the regular season—and that’s something Bears fans haven’t seen in a while.