Three Storylines to Watch in the Bears Second Preseason Game of 2026

The first week of preseason is in the books, and now teams across the league are planning the next steps. Most teams like to give their starters some playing time, but with the number of injuries, it can be hard to do. Balancing health against rust has always been a difficult thing for teams to consider. Another factor that makes preseason harder is that success does not always carry over to the regular season. Even with all of this in mind, there are always important storylines to follow. Countless players are fighting for roster spots or to be higher up on the depth chart. When looking at the Chicago Bears, there are a few key things to keep an eye on in the matchup against the Bengals on Saturday, August 22nd.

Who Takes the Lead at Left Tackle

One of the areas of the team that has seen the most coverage is the left tackle battle. Neither Kiran Amegadjie nor Jedrick Wills Jr. had outstanding performances, as they rotated pretty evenly against the Browns. It is not known when Braxton Jones will be ready to play, but he is getting healthier. Additionally, to the surprise of many, Ozzy Trapilo has returned to practice after a season-ending injury late last year. This was his starting spot, but it was unclear whether he would even play this year. He may not be able to play soon, but it does put pressure on the other options.

The tackle room has quickly become loaded with talent, and keeping all four of these players will likely not happen. The pressure is on to make an impact and stay on the roster. This week will likely feature the same rotation as last week. Jones may have a chance at appearing, but Chicago is going to play it safe with him. If either Amegadjie or Wills Jr struggles, then it could be hard for them to make up ground in the race to start. The competition continues with this week's preseason game as players look to make a good impression with the coaching staff.

Which Wide Receiver Can Make a Mark

Another storyline to keep an eye on is how the wide receiver room is shaping up. Even with an injury to Luther Burden, the top two spots are locked up, as Rome Odunze joins him as one of the top playmakers on the team. Veteran Kalif Raymond and rookie Zavion Thomas have also been praised a ton, and it would be hard to see them not make the roster. That will likely leave one or two spots left for players to make a mark. Luckily, Chicago has a plethora of options.​

The first name that comes to mind is Jahdae Walker. He was in the system last year and looked solid in his limited playing time. However, Kaden Davis had a nice showing with four catches and 88 yards last week. Maurice Alexander also looked solid with three catches, 42 yards, and a touchdown. There are plenty of other veterans hanging around, making it a tight race. If Burden misses time, the receiver depth will play an important role. All three of these players will need to make an impact throughout the rest of the preseason if they wish to make the roster. The receiver who can control the game the most this week will likely be putting themselves in a strong position. Usually, a spot like this does not seem too important, but having multiple quality receivers is important. The preseason is not always full of fun, but this type of depth battle is always an interesting storyline to monitor.

What the Secondary Looks Like

The secondary depth is already being tested, as it feels like a new player gets injured every week. Unlike the other two storylines, this one is hard to get an accurate read on. The starters seemed set, but that is not yet known due to injuries. There has been very little news coming out about when any of them will return. This makes it difficult to say much about how many spots are open and who is actually in the race. At this point, it feels like whoever is playing has a chance to challenge for a depth role. I think the secondary has very undefined roles, leaving it open to anyone. Seeing who will be able to play and how they look in coverage will be the most important thing on the defensive side of the ball this week.

Final Thoughts

It is not yet known how much the starters will play this week, if at all. The Bears have struggled with injuries, meaning they may play it safe. However, for anyone who is missing football, there are still plenty of storylines to follow. The offensive line needs another starter, and that race is being hotly contested. Depth in the wide receiver room is a necessity, but Chicago has plenty of options to consider. Finally, the secondary has been torn apart, leaving both starting and depth roles wide open for competition. The second preseason game should help provide a clearer picture of who is ready to step into a larger role once the regular season arrives.