Chicago Bears Hall of Fame Game Winners and Losers

Who were some of the players that improved their stock and hurt their stock in the Chicago Bears preseason opener?

The Hall of Fame game was what everybody expected it to be, vanilla. Still, there were some things to be taken away. Fringe roster players moved up, and down and we got some insight into where other players stand in comparison to their peers. Who were the players who raised their stock and who dropped the most?

Winners

Kylie Fitts and Isaiah Irving

We came in knowing that the two edge rushers were likely the players to watch. Both delivered bringing in strong performances, increases the roster odds for each.

Irving came out of the gate storming with two tackles and a sack. He was called for offsides, but with a couple of other strong repetitions that lead to pressure and sacks, it is safe to say that Irving has put his stock up.

Fitts added three tackles and a sack as well. He was not as consistent on a snap by snap basis, but when he got going, he was a force. The Chicago Bears need anyone they can to step up on the edge. Fitts and Irving have momentum in the direction that they deserve a shot.

Jonathan Bullard and Roy Robertson-Harris

The duo came into the game in a camp battle for starting time. However, in this game, they were starting across from each other. After one week, we may have a draw. Bullard had a sack and a ridiculous tackle for loss in which he exploded into the backfield at the snap.

Robertson-Harris had a sack as well off of a bull rush and consistently pushed the pocket.

Javon Wims

Wims was essentially the only reason to watch the second half. Wims was targeted a team-high ten times. He brought in seven passes for 89 yards. He had the highlight catch of the game down the sideline.

However, what was even more impressive was a catch over the middle from the slot and a few grabs that featured yards after the catch. As a seventh-round pick, Wims knew his roster spot was not a lock. Wims came out determined to make that spot a lock and is trending in the right direction.

Deon Bush

We heard in OTAs that Deon Bush had momentum. We saw in the Hall of Fame game what Vic Fangio was saying. Bush was physical near the line of scrimmage and in coverage. He was flying around and looked like a physical specimen on the field.

Losers

Chase Daniel

Tyler Bray was not great, but Chase Daniel was brutal. Given his lack of experience in the NFL, he has plenty of experience in the preseason. That did not show in his first preseason showing with the Bears. He was frantic in the pocket and looked uncomfortable all game.

That shows with an 8-16 game for 53 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Daniel threw an interception off of Jordan Morgans helmet and threw one behind his man and into the defenders’ arms.

Ryan Nall

The Hall of Fame game was supposed to be a chance for Nall to shine. No starters, a chance to play fullback and running back and stake his claim as competition to Taquan Mizzell. After one week, none of that came to fruition.

Nall did not see the field until the second half, as Mizzell and Michael Burton each saw significant snaps ahead of him. He finished with seven carries for 13 yards.

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His versatility was supposed to be a reason for the team to keep him over Burton. Then Burton came out and caught two passes including a touchdown reception. He had four more games but did not take advantage of what could have been a big night.

Jordan Morgan

He is a fifth-round pick from a small school who lost his rookie season. He was thrust into the starting lineup in the Hall of Fame game with little repetitions prior. We should not have had high expectations. Still, Morgan looked like a complete project. The good thing is we now have a base skill set and can begin to track progress from here.

Kevin Toliver

Toliver did not even play, and that is a blown chance for him. Toliver had some injury questions coming in, so it is not a surprise. However, as a UDFA, he has to find every little chance to get his name to stand out. Missing practices has been crushing him. Missing this name is even tougher.

He practiced Tuesday so should be good for the second game. For his roster spot sake, he had better.

Bennie Fowler and Marlon Brown

In the battle to take a roster spot from Josh Bellamy, Bellamy walks away from week one with a bigger lead in this battle. Fowler dropped a touchdown pass. Brown had a drop as well. The duo combined to go 3-6 for 16 yards. Josh Bellamy caught two passes on two targets for 28 yards. He is ahead of those two.