Getty CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 29: Eddy Pineiro #15 of the Chicago Bears reacts after missing the extra point during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field on August 29, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears played their fourth and final preseason game at Soldier Field in Chicago Thursday night, falling to the Titans, 19-15. While the team’s primary storyline (their seemingly endless search for a kicker) has just about wrapped up, their 53-man roster is yet to be determined.
With several position battles on the line, a few got clearer, a few got murkier, and a few different rotations brought new and yet unanswered questions. Here are five major takeaways from the Bears’ final preseason game:
Alex Bars Will Be on the Roster
GettyChicago Bears Offensive Lineman Alex Bars has a good chance of making the roster. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Bars, an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, now seems like an official lock to make the roster. Bars moved over to left tackle after T.J. Clemmings went down to injury last week, and he started the game against the Titans at the position again tonight and played well.
HOLY COW is Alex Bars owning his guy out there at left tackle, I know it’s against the 2’s & 3’s but damn, it’s man vs. boys time… looks like he’s been playing LT for years.
This kind of versatility coupled with his past knowledge of offensive line coach Harry Hiestand’s system can only help Bars here. He has played so well this preseason, if the Bears don’t sign him, it’s a near certainty another team will.
Eddy Pineiro Rebounded at Soldier Field
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 29: Eddy Pineiro #15 of the Chicago Bears stretches on the field prior to a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field on August 29, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Eddy Pineiro’s final night kicking in the preseason did not start well. Pineiro missed his first extra point attempt, shanking the kick so badly, announcer Kyle Brandt thought it was tipped:
“Eddie Pineiro has solved the Bears kicking situation”
Eddie Pineiro:
The kick wasn’t tipped, but Pineiro recovered. He hit all three of his field goal attempts, making kicks from 32, 34, and 39 yards, and seemed pumped up after hitting his second:
Pineiro’s recovery and subsequent accuracy had to have helped his case, but time will tell.
Jesper Horsted Over Dax Raymond?
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 29: Jesper Horsted #47 of the Chicago Bears celebrates his touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 29, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
After scoring a touchdown last week, Jesper Horsted made a convincing push for the Bears practice squad. Horsted didn’t make much of an impression in the first preseason game, but he had multiple memorable plays in the last two. Horsted had four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown against the Titans, highlighted by this beauty:
Jesper Horsted did it again. #Bears
With catches like those, Horsted may just have moved ahead of his fellow competitors at the position. Dax Raymond was ruled out with a concussion, and hasn’t done much this preseason. Ian Bunting is likely a lock to make the practice squad, but Bunting has faded recently, while Horsted has surged. Which tight ends make the roster and/or practice squad will certainly be a storyline to watch over the next two days.
Is Aaron Lynch Rusty, or on the Bubble?
Chicago Bears Linebacker Aaron Lynch. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Bears outside linebacker Aaron Lynch has been dealing with a shoulder injury this preseason, so it’s likely his playing the entire first half was about getting him reps in preparation–but it did raise a few questions. Does this mean Isaiah Irving is now ahead of Lynch on the depth chart?
Isaiah Irving ahead of Aaron Lynch, eh? #Bears
Another rather immediate concern: will Lynch be ready to go next week against Green Bay? He looked great against Tennessee’s second and third stringers, but his presence on the playing field at all left some with another question…could James Vaughters be taking Lynch’s spot?
James Vaughters Has Been Lights Out This Preseason
GettyINDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 24: Charcandrick West #36 of the Indianapolis Colts runs away from the tackle of James Vaughters #46 of the Chicago Bears during a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
After games with back-to-back strip sacks, Vaughters added another sack against Tennessee, capping off an excellent preseason. Vaughters played so well, some fans on social media wondered whether he might be taking Aaron Lynch’s spot on the roster:
Former Bears head coach Dave Wannstedt, who was announcing the game along with Brandt and Jim Miller, noted that Vaughters should be a lock to make the Bears roster: “If he’s not here, he’s gonna be somewhere in the National Football League,” Wannstedt posited. Everyone will know soon enough. All roster cuts for the 2019 season will be made by Saturday, August 31 at 4 PM.
READ NEXT: Chicago Bears: Top 5 Games of the Upcoming Season