The Chicago Bears are set to play the Seattle Seahawks tonight in their second preseason game. The starters are only slotted to play six to 10 snaps, although Matt Eberflus did say that it could change depending on how the series end up going. Imagine that the team goes three-and-out in the first series and three-and-out in the second. Will Matt Eberflus give them a third series or call it a night after six plays? My guess is he’d call it a night.
Now, if the team has a phenomenal first drive that hits the 10-play mark, I cannot imagine Eberflus pulling Justin Fields and the starters until that series is over. Maybe it is a 15-play, touchdown drive?
Needless to say, the Chicago Bears are not likely to play their starters very much on a short week in a preseason game that means very little in the grand scheme of things. This leaves the door open for some of the backups to prove themselves. With only three preseason games, the team is going to need to determine who is staying and who is going. With the starters seeing little to no action, it will be important to keep an eye on these players instead.
Chicago Bears Players to Watch: Teven Jenkins, OL
If you have been living under a rock, then you will need to be filled in on the rollercoaster that is Teven Jenkins. Jenkins was supposed to be healthy this year, but something has kept him from practicing. Is it his immaturity? Is it his back again? Is it something mental that is blocking him from performing to his potential?
Whatever it is, Jenkins has gone from a potential starting right tackle, to third string performer, back to the second string and now he has been shifted to the backup right guard with the potential to push Michael Schofield for the starting spot. It will be very important for him to perform well during not only this game vs. the Seahawks, but also in the final preseason game if he sees playing time.