The Chicago Bears will be playing football for the first time since January, facing the Cleveland Browns in preseason action.
This game has a lot of intriguing matchups that could significantly impact that roster. At the same time, there are plenty of players to watch out for in this game that will be fun to watch for the Bears.
Five players will be playing in this game, adding plenty of intrigue and drawing Bears fans' full attention. Here's a look at who fans should watch on the Bears.
5 Chicago Bears players fans must watch in preseason debut vs. Browns
5. Jordan van den Berg, DT
Van den Berg has created major buzz in the last week by being thrown in the rotation with the first-team defense. The rookie sixth-round pick out of Georgia Tech was a force when it came to stopping the run, finishing with 11 tackles for loss last year, which was one of the highest in the nation.
Chicago might be going through some future changes at defensive tackle, but for now, Gervon Dexter Sr. and Grady Jarrett are the starters. A big performance by van den Berg could propel him into the starting lineup.
4. Kaden Davis, WR
Davis has been on a tear over the last two weeks with big pass catch after big pass catch in training camp. Multiple times, he's been the one to finish practice with a touchdown and send the team out with momentum.
The Davis-Tyson Bagent connection has been red hot in training camp. Expect that to be the case against Cleveland, and who knows, maybe Davis pushes for a sixth receiver to be on the team or at least a practice squad spot. Regardless, he's just a fun player to watch who could be this year's Jahdae Walker.
3. Malik Muhammad, CB
Muhammad is a fascinating player for the Bears entering the preseason. Originally, fans thought he would be in a position battle with Tyrique Stevenson for the CB2 role, but he might be gunning for the starting nickel job with Kyler Gordon hurt and out.
Give the fourth-round pick rookie time to develop, and he might be able to be an impact player on the team. This first preseason game could be the jump-start Muhammad needs to throw his name in the conversation to start.
2. Jedrick Wills Jr., OT
The left tackle battle is the most important in training camp, but without Braxton Jones, that could cause even more drama. Really, Wills and Kiran Amegadjie could be the pick here, but Wills is a more interesting player.
One, Wills is going up against his old team, and two, he's a former first-round pick battling for a second starting job and a spot on the roster. Chicago would love for him to be able to step up and prove why he was a first-round pick in the first place.
1. Jahdae Walker, WR
Walker was the training camp darling who shined last August for the Bears and earned his roster spot. He became a pivotal piece of the offense after catching two touchdowns in the last three weeks, including the game-tying score against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, leading to the overtime winner from Caleb Williams to DJ Moore.
Read more: 5 telling thoughts on how Bears will look against Browns in preseason opener
This first preseason game is a way for Walker to set the tone at wide receiver and prove he deserves an elevated role. Luther Burden III and Zavion Thomas are out with injuries, so it's Walker's shot at showing the coaching staff he shouldn't just be the fourth or fifth receiver on the roster.
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