Bear Necessities: Plenty on the line as Chicago wraps preseason vs. Browns

The Bears are closing the preseason against the Browns tonight, and it’s a game that has more meaning than most preseason finales.

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The Chicago Bears are wrapping the preseason tonight against the Cleveland Browns, a game that suddenly has more meaning than most preseason finales.

Head coach Matt Eberflus said that starters will play the first half against the Browns, although it’ll vary by player (and there are a handful of injured players who likely won’t suit up). Still, it will provide fans with an extended look at the new-look offense and defense.

There’s a lot of concerns about the Bears offense, which some believe will be downright atrocious in 2022. And, most importantly, the development of quarterback Justin Fields. The starting offense hasn’t played more than 30 reps together this preseason, so this will be a good test for the offense, including the presumptive starting offensive line.

Linebacker Roquan Smith, who missed the first two preseason games and most of training camp, will make his preseason debut tonight. It’s the first time we’ll get a glimpse, however vanilla, of Smith at weak-side linebacker, one of the most important positions in this defense,

On top of that, final roster cuts are right around the corner, and there are a handful of players vying for a roster spot and/or starting job. There have been a number of standouts this preseason and some competitive position battles, and this game is their final chance to make a strong push for a job.

There’s plenty on the line for the Bears in tonight’s preseason finale as the regular season looms.

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