Preseason Game 2 is typically when some of the more important jobs are won, and some of those position battles are exactly what Chicago Bears fans are going to be watching for when they take on the Cincinncati Bengals.
Knowing that we're not going to see the likes of Caleb Williams, we don't need to worry about the star players for Chicago. But, there are several other positions that still have a lot of question marks.
Some positions are starved for someone, anyone, to step up and perform. Others, it's all about which depth players are going to make the team.
With that in mind, let's check on eight specific Bears players who have the most to gain from Saturday's matchup with the Bengals.
Which Chicago Bears players can influence their spot on the roster against the Bengals?
Marcus Davenport, DE
Caveat: if Davenport plays
There is a chance Davenport doesn't play due to the fact that he hasn't practiced to this point. But, if he does, he's got a massive opportunity. Even if he doesn't fully know the scheme or playbook, the fans want to see quarterbacks get pressured and sacked. That's all he has to do.
If Davenport doesn't want his coming to Chicago to look like a complete waste of time by Ryan Poles (which it does based on recent history) then he needs to do something.
Malik Muhammad, CB
Obviously, Muhammad is on this roster. But, with him getting some reps in the slot during the team's first preseason game, one has to wonder if he'll get more. If he does, he's got a chance to cement himself as a firm candidate to be this team's Kyler Gordon replacement (maybe for good).
We know he's played outside and he's a physical corner. But, in Dennis Allen's system, that physicality might be precisely why the slot helps him excel and become a dynamic playmaker.
Kaden Davis, WR
Day after day during camp and in the Bears' first preseason game, Kaden Davis has continued to make plays. At this stage in the game, I'm not sure he needs to do that much more to convince Ben Johnson he's this team's WR6 over the likes of Scotty Miller.
The speed continues to show up, but he's been more than just speed. The plays are being made, and that's what Johnson will look for. If he's able to secure a couple of targets and make even one notable play, he should be firmly ahead of Miller on the depth chart.
Xavier Woods, S
As maybe the Bears' savior in the secondary, Xavier Woods can lock down the other starting safety spot next to Dillon Thieneman. The starting experience is there. Dennis Allen's system allows defensive backs to be opportunistic. All he needs to do is play a clean game in his snaps and he should have that starting gig, no problem.
Jamree Kromah, DE
Coming out of absolutely nowhere, Jamree Kromah gave the Bears something to think about in the first preseason game. Speaking along the same lines as Davenport, this defense desperately needs players to step up at the defensive end position.
If Kromah can come out and have a similar performance as he did against Cleveland, he could force his way onto this roster. At this stage, if I'm Allen, I am looking for the guys who want this the most. There's no depth. It should be anyone's game behind Montez Sweat and Austin Booker.
Jordan van den Berg, DT
Speaking of great performances against the Browns, rookie defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg looked every bit of the athletic player the Bears knew they drafted. He was consistently winning, pushing his man backwards and disrupting the back field.
If he continues down this road, he'll command playing time, even over the likes of Kentavius Street, Neville Gallimore and James Lynch. Again, the Bears need difference makers on this line, and van den Berg is on his way to proving he's exactly that.
Dillon Thieneman, S
It's been an up-and-down summer for the first-round pick, but he did have a standout moment in the joint practice against Cincinnati. If Thieneman has a strong showing in this game, then fans are going to feel a lot better. Not that anybody doubts his talent, but the development is something we want to see come alive a little faster.
Thieneman is fast. He's a playmaker. We need to see it in order to feel better going into the season.
Kiran Amegadjie, OT
Finally, as a player who was completely written off going into his third training camp, Kiran Amegadjie has actually played and practiced well so far. He looks far more like a piece of this depth puzzle than I thought a few weeks ago.
Read more: Jaylon Johnson just provided the hope Bears fans needed more than ever
Now being moved over to right tackle, Amegadjie can lock down a spot right behind Darnell Wright if he performs well against the Bengals. Jedrick Wills is very likely going to be cut, and Amegadjie can make sure of it in this one.
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