The Chicago Bears travel to Indianapolis this Saturday to face Frank Reich’s Colts for their third preseason game of the year. The Bears are 0-2 so far this preseason, but with all of their starters guaranteed to be sitting on the bench, this preseason has become more about finding the absolute best fits for their 53-man roster.
As the preseason progresses, position battles tend to become more competitive, as well as more defined, and that’s certainly the case in Chicago right now.
Marvin Hall
GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 16: Marvin Hall #13 of the Chicago Bears runs the ball against Janoris Jenkins #20 of the New York Giants in the first half during a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
This game has significant importance for Hall. In the Bears’ second preseason game against the Giants, he caught only one of the four passes thrown at him for four yards. If he wants the team to take a chance on him, he’ll have to stand out, especially on special teams.
Hall’s performance will go a long way in determining whether the Bears decide to go with seven wide receivers or five tight ends. Speaking of tight ends…
Ian Bunting
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 08: David Montgomery #32 of the Chicago Bears and Ian Bunting #49 at the end of their team’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on August 08, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
After Bradley Sowell’s recent conversion to tight end, it’s been unclear whether the Bears will go with four or five tight ends. Thus, Bunting is basically in competition with Marvin Hall for a roster spot. If Bunting impresses again, as he did in their first preseason game against Carolina, he may just get it.
Tight ends didn’t figure in much during the Bears second preseason game against the Giants–Bunting did, however, make a few solid plays on special teams, and he’s learning how to block, so if he can put another solid game under his belt, his stock could rise.
Ryan Nall
GettyRyan Nall of the Chicago Bears looking to secure a spot on the roster this season. (Getty Images)
Nall is at the do or die stage of his preseason. Right now, he’s in direct competition with Kerrith Whyte Jr. for the team’s final running back position, and after two weeks, few would argue that Nall has made a stronger impression than Whyte.
Nall was on the Bears practice squad last season, but with a revamped backfield featuring dynamic rookie David Montgomery, his chances have decreased significantly, especially with seventh-round pick Whyte showing flashes this preseason.
Cornelius Lucas
GettyChicago Bears Offensive Tackle Cornelius Lucas. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Lucas is a journeyman offensive tackle who has been in the league since 2014, and while he likely won’t make the roster, he has to impress now if he wants any shot at making an NFL team. Rashaad Coward is out with an injury, leaving a small window open for Lucas to get some extra playing time. What he does with it will determine his future not just with the Bears, but with other potential teams.
With undrafted free agent Alex Bars out of Notre Dame making a strong push for the roster this preseason, he has to two more games to make a case for himself, and it starts at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Josh Caldwell
GettyChicago Bears Running Back Josh Caldwell. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
The Bears just signed Caldwell this week, filling the vacancy left after they released kicker Elliott Fry. He has his work cut out for him in one sense, as he has missed all of training camp with the Bears. But Caldwell is also coming from Kansas City, where Matt Nagy’s mentor Andy Reid runs things, so this offense shouldn’t be a shock to his system.
Bears fans are curious to see what he’s got, and he should get ample time against the Colts to showcase his skills. Caldwell performed well in Kansas City’s first preseason game–he was their leading rusher. He was released so the team could make room for another tight end on their roster, not because of any performance-based issues.
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