Chicago, Ill.— The Chicago Bears returned to Soldier Field for some preseason action on Saturday afternoon, with the team taking on the Kansas City Chiefs in a game that could be considered a tale of two halves. The Bears offense struggled in the first half before awakening in the second half, leading to a comeback victory.
With key contributions from players like running back Trestan Ebner, offensive tackle Braxton Jones, safety Jaquan Brisker, and wide receiver Dazz Newsome, the Bears were able to see their young talent make major contributions.
As the first week of preseason officially wraps up for the Bears, let’s look at some players who could be labeled as winners.
1) LB Jack Sanborn
The Bears appear to have found a diamond in the rough with undrafted free agent linebacker Jack Sanborn. A native of the Chicagoland area, Sanborn had an interception and seven tackles on Saturday afternoon, flying all over the field. It’s still early but if Sanborn continues to perform throughout the month of August, he should be a prime candidate to make the 53-man roster, providing the Bears with some valuable depth on defense, along with a special teams stud.
2) OT Braxton Jones
If there’s been one piece of consistency when it comes to the Bears offensive line this offseason, it’s that rookie Braxton Jones has been given a majority of the first team reps at left tackle. Jones impressed in his NFL debut and has seen a meteoric rise this offseason, going from fifth-round pick to potential day one starter.
On the Bears’ second possession, running back Khalil Herbert had a five-yard carry. The lead blocker on the play was Jones, who continues to prove that he has everything needed to play at a high level. As the Bears look ahead to their second preseason games, Jones starting again could ensure that he opens the regular season as the week one starter.
3) RB Trestan Ebner
Finishing the afternoon with six carries for 31 yards, Trestan Ebner proved as to why he’s a valuable asset for the Bears as a running back and as a return man on special teams. Despite a crowded backfield that features running backs David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert, Ebner’s showing on Saturday afternoon proved that the 2022 sixth-round pick could easily carve out a role in 2022, giving the Bears a versatile weapon that can create mismatches.
4) S Jaquan Brisker
Brisker was all over the field for the Bears with four tackles, one pass breakup, and a near interception, proving that he could be an early leader for defensive rookie of the year. The 48th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft started out fast in training camp and has continued to improve. With two more preseason games left, Brisker could head into the regular season with a chip on his shoulder.
5) WR Tajae Sharp
The Bears need anything and everything at wide receiver at the moment. Outside of Darnell Mooney, the rest of the group is a toss up but veteran Tajae Sharp had a strong afternoon with two receptions, 44 receiving yards, averaging 22 yards per reception. A fifth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Sharpe has bounced around the NFL over the last few years but is just 27 years old, giving him a chance to secure a spot on the Bears roster as a veteran who could provide some depth and play a valuable role on special teams.
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