The Chicago Bears kick off their second preseason game of the summer Friday night against the New York Giants in a contest that starters are expected to play few if any reps.
While the traditional approach to preseason action sees starters play an increased number of snaps in each of the first three summer games, coach Matt Nagy has already established he’s not interested in the old way. He’s establishing his own strategy to get his players ready for Week 1 against the Packers.
As a result, players who are jockeying for the final roster will get an even bigger opportunity to impress. With that in mind, here are seven Bears who need to to build (or continue) some momentum against New York.
Marvin Hall
Despite enjoying a productive training camp and an apparent improvement in his odds to make the roster with the recent release of Emanuel Hall, Marvin needs to make a splash play or two for GM Ryan Pace to justify keeping seven receivers on the final roster. Hall has the kind of speed that can take the top off a defense and he might be the fastest receiver on the team. That has value. But he has to flip that value into production this summer.
Kerrith Whyte, Jr.
Whyte was one of the more impressive offensive performers in the Bears’ Week 1 preseason loss to the Panthers and if he has another productive day against the Giants, he could force Pace to keep four running backs on the final roster. He has more juice than Ryan Nall and his ability to contribute as a runner and receiver is a nice fit for Matt Nagy’s offense. Another big game from Whyte could cause a pretty significant reshuffling of the final 53.
Adam Shaheen
It’s time for Shaheen to establish himself as not only the top reserve behind Trey Burton, but also as a player capable of living up to the expectations normally attached to a second-round pick. Shaheen’s toughest opponent has been his health; when healthy, he’s flashed legitimate starter’s upside. But the Bears can’t wait forever and they need to start seeing a return on their draft investment. Otherwise, young players like Ian Bunting and even Dax Raymond deserve longer looks.
Kylie Fitts
Fitts had one of the worst outings of any Bears defender in Week 1’s preseason loss to the Panthers. He played 36 snaps and was completely ineffective as a pass rusher. Chicago needs a pass-rusher who can prove to be a capable backup behind the top three on depth chart — Khalil Mack, Leonard Floyd and Aaron Lynch. Fitts, a sixth-round pick in 2018, isn’t a lock to make the roster at this point.
T.J. Clemmings
One of the more under-discussed position battles the Bears have brewing right now is at swing tackle. Rashard Coward is the incumbent, was solid against the Panthers, especially when compared to Clemmings, who received the lowest grade from PFF of all offensive players in Week 1. He played just 28 reps compared to Coward’s 53. I’d expect the number will be a little more balanced Friday night.
Nick Kwiatkoski
Kwiatkoski needs a big rebound game. He was brutal in coverage against the Panthers and looked like a real liability moving forward for the Bears defense. Despite a promising start to his career, when he once profiled as a potential long-term replacement for Jerrell Freeman, Kwiatkoski could now find himself in a nerve-wracking competition for reserve duties on the final roster.
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