The Chicago Bears are one of two teams that play four preseason games this season. That gives them an extra look at a lot of the depth players, as very few players who will take meaningful snaps played in the preseason opener. However, in the first actual week of preseason football, we should see a few more starters and significant contributors.
What are some storylines worth watching when the Bears play the Bills this weekend?
3. Who will be snapping at Caleb Williams?
The Chicago Bears have three more preseason games left. Caleb William is unlikely to play in the preseason, and the week before that should be when the team gives him the longest look. So, this week should be about getting Williams a series or two to dust off the rust, so that next week they can simulate a game week.
Even if this means a drive or two, it means trotting out with the starters for the first time, calling the play, getting it from the OC, having his cadence as he calls for the ball, and many other things. One big one will be the center-to-quarterback exchange.
The Bears have a question at center, what else is new? Nate Davis is missing a lot of time, and when he does, they move starting center Ryan Bates over to guard and slide up Coleman Shelton. As noted, the Bears want to get Williams used to how things will look in the regular season.
Does that mean Bates snapping at him? It would not be a complete waste, but it would not be nearly beneficial if Shelton worked with Williams this week, and then Bates started with Williams the following week. Williams needs continuity. The Bears have to give him that this weekend, so a decision should be made.
2. How will the Chicago Bears wide receivers sort out?
The first question here is how much Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and DJ Moore play. The Bears want to give Williams as close to the real thing as possible, but Moore and Allen are known commodities. Allen is a bit older, but still, when Williams is on the field, you should expect all three.
If any other receiver sees the field with Williams it is notable, because no one after the big three is locked into a roster spot. Does Collin Johnson get any work with Williams after his big week? How does Johnson look responding, and potentially getting plenty of work once Williams leaves the game? More importantly, does he look good on special teams, because that is how he will make the roster?
Does Velus Jones make an appearance as a return man? Do we see anything that tells us Tyler Scott is a lock for the roster? Who returns punts? We will learn a lot more about the pecking order after this week.
1. Does the Gervon Dexter breakout campaign begin now?
The thought when the Chicago Bears drafted Gervon Dexter was to play him sparingly as a rookie, build him up, and then unleash him as he matured into a solid NFL player. His rookie year had just enough flash that fans and coaches are optimistic that Dexter will be a breakout performer. He did not need to play in the Hall of Fame game after his practice sessions.
The expectation would be for him to play this week. Do we see what the practice reports have been telling us? Is he dominant in his limited work? Knowing how excited Chicago Bears fans are for this season they just need a taste of Dexter shooting one gap and they will lose their minds with excitement. Dexter is an underrated key to the defense and watching his offseason progression for the first time should be the number one thing fans focus on when the defense takes the field.