There is a debate every year whether starters should play in the preseason or not. On one hand, it is benefecial to get some live reps against other teams, but there is always a risk of injury in football on the other hand.
The older veterans of the league almost never get any action in preseason and if they do, it is likely for only a series or two. Running backs will especially see lesser time in preseason as they take enough of a beating through out the year.
Younger players and rookies obviously see more action as well as they become acclimated to the speed of the NFL. When a team has a completely new coaching staff, as is the case with the Bears this season, the need for preseason reps is bigger.
It is no surprise that the media is plugging the Bears as one of the teams needing the preseason the most. CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin outlined eight teams that will need the preseason the most to answer questions surrounuding the direction of the team.
"Can quarterback Caleb Williams, who is perhaps best known for his backyard-like freestyling, settle into Ben Johnson's offense before the real games begin? Will Johnson get the discipline and attention to detail he's looking for from Williams' top weapons, including Rome Odunze and rookie Luther Burden III? Can returning veterans like Montez Sweat and Tremaine Edmunds show game-day comfort inside new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's system?"
All eyes on the Bears' offense
While the defense will be under a completely new system as well, it will surely be the offense that is put under a microscope during the preseason. It all starts with Caleb Williams as he will be looking to build on an up -and-down rookie year and finally have some stability. Benjamin asks the questions a lot of us are asking - can Williams play under structure in a complex system instead of playing hero-ball like he has forever?
Aside from Williams, however, Johnson is going to be looking for the weapons on the roster to be detailed and concise. We have already seen him have little patience for presnap miscues in training camp. The Bears added some much-needed veteran help in the trenches, but the offensive skill players are all very young outside of DJ Moore and Cole Kmet.
Rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden should play big roles in this offense so the preseason will be their first opportunity to get some NFL action under their feet and also game reps in Johnson's offense. Burden missed some time early in camp, but has come on strong as of late and Loveland continues to show a rare skill set from the tight end position.
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As mentioned earlier, the defense is also learning a new scheme; however, there are many veterans on that side of the ball, so the transition should not be as rocky as the offense's. Montez Sweat looks to be fully healthy and ready to go, Tremaine Edmunds will be looking to rebound from a below-average year last season, where he finished 57th among linebackers per PFF, and Jaquan Brisker looks like he is fully back. Add in the highest-paid nickel corner in football in Kyler Gordon, and this defense has all the tools to be truly elite.