The first preseason game of the year is around the corner for the Chicago Bears as they are prepping to play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Chicago has gone through two weeks of learning the new systems on offense and defense with mixed results. The defense has been stellar throughout camp, but the offense has had more bad practices than good.
This means that several players are feeling the pressure of making a strong first impression on head coach Ben Johnson and the coaching staff. Specifically, there are four players who must step up and play well to keep their roster spots.
Roschon Johnson, RB
This isn't about Johnson losing a roster spot, as he should be a lock for the 53-man roster, but rookie running back Kyle Monangai's performance in camp is complicating Johnson's chances of being a backup. Last year was a wildly disappointing year for Johnson from a yards per carry standpoint, but a fresh start in Ben Johnson's offense should help. Roschon Johnson needs a good first impression in the Dolphins game to hold his RB2 job.
Kiran Amegadjie, LT
Amegadjie is in a three-way battle for the starting left tackle position with Braxton Jones and Ozzy Trapilo splitting first-team reps with Amegadjie. It's always felt like Amegadjie is the odd man out since Trapilo was this year's second-round pick and Jones was the starter last year. A good performance from Amegadjie might prompt the coaching staff to consider him as a legitimate contender.
Zacch Pickens, DT
All offseason, Pickens has been seen as one of the Bears with the most pressure to make the roster after a young, disappointing NFL career so far. The former third-round pick hasn't really made any noteworthy plays at camp and really needs the preseason game to get himself on the map. Early roster projections don't have him making the final roster so it's time to go to work for him.
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Nick McCloud, CB
The emergence of Nahshon Wright at training camp has certainly complicated McCloud's chances of making the 53-man roster. McCloud nearly had an easy interception in practice over the weekend, but has been mostly quiet and overshadowed by Wright. If he can grab an interception from one of the Dolphins' quarterback, that could help his chances of getting back into the conversation.