Hey, the Chicago Bears are 3-1 and have won the last two games without starting quarterback Caleb Williams. That's a couple of feathers in the cap of Ben Johnson.
Looking at how the Bears performed against the New York Jets, though, let's take a specific viewpoint on some players whose contracts are ending after this season. In a contract year, you typically want to see some extra motivation and elevated play from a player.
Many times, that's the case.
For a few key 2027 Bears free agents, let's see how things are going.
Checking in on some key 2027 Bears free agents after Week 4
Tyrique Stevenson is playing his way out of Chicago (and out of a nice pay check)
This shouldn't be surprising to anybody, but Tyrique Stevenson isn't exactly looking like someone who is going to be back in Chicago next year, let alone landing a pretty payday in 2027. The fourth-year pro had a couple of tough snaps against the Jets on Sunday.
The first was an easy interception that he dropped early in the game, while the second was a 58-yard touchdown reception by Isaiah Williams that saw Stevenson get burned on the play.
He has only one pass breakup in four games, thus far, and is allowing the highest opposing quarterback rating of his career to date: 137.5.
Roschon Johnson found some rare work against the Jets
After D'Andre Swift lost a fumble for the second straight week, he was relegated to the bench, and Kyle Monangai took over as the lead back. But Roschon Johnson was given some playing time.
The soon-to-be free agent took four carries for 16 yards and added a catch for seven yards. It was nothing extraordinary, but to see him get touches for the first time this year was notable.
it's safe to say Johnson will be playing elsewhere next season, either way.
The Bears' trade for Clark Phillips keeps providing questions
Before the season, Chicago traded Gervon Dexter Sr. to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a fifth-round pick and cornerback Clark Phillips III. In four games, Phillips has played zero snaps on defense and 14 snaps on special teams.
Dexter already signed an extension in Atlanta, which leads Bears fans to question whether or not it was worth trading him versus allowing him to sign elsewhere next year and potentially obtaining a compensatory pick higher than a fifth.
Phillips was supposed to provide some depth in the slot, and with the injuries in Chicago's secondary accompanied by the poor play from Stevenson, it's curious as to why he hasn't seen the field for Dennis Allen's group.
Garrett Bradbury still looks every bit of a one-year rental
If he isn't killing the Bears with penalties, he's getting catapulted backward by the man in front of him. Garrett Bradbury is such a significant step back from Drew Dalman, but the Bears' offensive line as a whole is so strong that they're able to cover up some of Bradbury's shortcomings.
Still, there should be absolutely zero chance Bradbury is back next year. He allowed three pressures, two hurries and a quarterback hit on Tyson Bagent versus the Jets in Week 4.
Read more: Tyson Bagent's erratic play vs. Jets only invited more Bears QB controversy
Bradbury continues to look average, at best, and on his worst day is setting the offense back by a mile due to penalties.
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