In years past, the final preseason game often meant little. By then, teams had already made most of their roster decisions. Players participating in the game mainly were getting some extra experience or putting some game tape out there for other teams to watch. That isn’t the case anymore. With only three preseason games nowadays, they’ve gained greater importance. The Chicago Bears still have some big questions to sort out.
Several players are battling for jobs and roster spots. Some of them have reached a point where the only thing that may save them is a strong performance against the Buffalo Bills in this finale. Here are the ones to watch and why.
QB P.J. Walker
The Bears seemed to make their opinion of Walker clear when they signed him to a solid two-year deal for $4 million. He has starting experience with a 4-3 record and is a good athletic fit for the offense. Unfortunately, he hasn’t shown it on the field, completing less than 50% of his passes with an interception. Meanwhile, rookie Tyson Bagent has looked far sharper. If that trend holds against Buffalo, Walker may lose not only the backup quarterback job but even his roster spot, presuming the team only wants to carry two on the roster.
RB Trestan Ebner
Athleticism and versatility were two big reasons the Bears took Ebner in the 6th round last season. The problem is none of his positive traits have shined enough to draw attention. His running ability is average at best, and he hasn’t emerged as any weapon in the passing game. With no value on special teams on top of that, Ebner is getting buried on a stacked depth chart with Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer well ahead of him. His last hope is a standout performance against Buffalo.
No receiver has been more productive through the first two weeks for the Chicago Bears than Fountain. He has 111 yards and a touchdown. He’s done everything possible to get noticed. Still, it may not be enough. Equanimeous St. Brown maintains a strong grip on the sixth and final roster spot. If Fountain wants to unseat him, he must do one of two things. He either must showcase quality blocking in the run game, or he must make an impact play on special teams. The Bears are looking for that from players at the bottom of the depth chart.
EDGE Dominique Robinson
It’s getting harder and harder to defend Robinson. There is no question he has loads of athletic potential. The problem is that it still isn’t translating into on-field production. He’s played 18 pass rush snaps in the preseason thus far. He failed to generate a single pressure on the quarterback. Guys like Terrell Lewis and Trevis Gipson have outperformed him for most of the summer. Even undrafted rookies Jalen Harris and D’Anthony Jones have looked better. Unless Robinson can turn in an eleventh-hour performance, he may not survive final cuts. He has nobody but himself to blame for it.
S Kendall Williamson
When you draft ten players in one go, there is a reasonable chance at least one of them won’t crack the main roster. It looks like Williamson will face that unfortunate reality. He hasn’t done much to stand out throughout training camp or the preseason. Others like A.J. Thomas and Bralen Trahan are making impact plays. There isn’t much the rookie has to offer at this point. He’s a liability in coverage. His lone chance might be a strong push on special teams where he does have at least some value.
