The Bears Blew a 27-3 Lead in the Most Meaningless Preseason Game Ever, and Other Bullets

Luis C. Medina

Aug 31, 2018

Chicago Bears

And let us never speak of this ever again:

Legit. pic.twitter.com/b79LsX11le

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) August 31, 2018

We are finally moving out of the preseason like …

Cavon Walker two step.gif pic.twitter.com/UiL16hlYWu

— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) August 31, 2018

I’m not convinced anyone won or lost a roster spot on Thursday, but several players made compelling final cases to close out the preseason.

Ryan Nall came on like gang-busters down the stretch. The undrafted free agent rookie from Oregon State picked up 79 yards on four carries, which included a 32-yard touchdown run. Nall even played some snaps at fullback, which could bode well for him when it comes down to the final cutdown. If Nall can play the role of fullback while also serving as the team’s No. 4 running back, then he has a good shot of making it.

It’s going to be tough to keep this guy off the 53-man roster when he’s making splash plays like this:

Ryan Nall with the BURST. pic.twitter.com/qZ4OymL5wK

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) August 31, 2018

And if he’s making special team’s contributions, too? Well, then it will be really difficult. Nall definitely caught the eye of former Bears special teams standout Patrick Mannelly:

I just went back and watched a hand full of Ryan Nall’s special teams snaps from the preseason. Has a big upside on that phase. #Bears
— Patrick Mannelly (@PatrickMannelly) August 31, 2018

Fellow running back Taquan Mizzell had his moments, too. Mizzell has more special teams experience than Nall, but doesn’t have the same positional flexibility. Should the Bears decide to keep true fullback Michael Burton on the roster, Mizzell might have a leg up on being the team’s RB4.

I had a feeling of déjà vu when outside linebacker Kasim Edebali left the game with a leg injury, because it reminded me of last year’s preseason finale when Lamarr Houston suffered an injury that ultimately cost him a roster spot. Edebali entered the game as among the contenders for a spot among the team’s outside linebackers/edge rushers that could use as much help as it can get. Chris Emma of 670 The Score caught up with Edebali after the game, and the late-summer signing seems confident that he put enough good things on tape to earn a job somewhere.

The NFL life is a tough one. We’re looking at rosters that will go from 90 to 53 by Saturday at 3 p.m., which means 37 players who have been working all spring and summer for something more than what they have will continue their search elsewhere. Colleen Kane of the Tribune dives into the nitty gritty of the short shelf-life many professional footballs live with.

James Daniels played the whole game on Thursday, which suggests he is destined to start the season as a reserve interior lineman. Daniels was the Bears’ first second-round draft pick and seemed destined to replace Josh Sitton at left guard. But a training camp injury slowed his development and Eric Kush’s experience and knowledge of Matt Nagy’s system helped him get a leg up on the competition. The Bears will probably want to review the game tape before making a final decision.

If there is one thing worth re-visiting from that game, it’s pictures of frisbee dogs at halftime, via the Chicago Tribune.

Good for you, Cam:

Cam Meredith hauls in his first catch as a Saint. Despite some injury concerns (and that he is playing in the fourth preseason game), I still see value for him as a late round flier. pic.twitter.com/yXnNmqlHi5
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 31, 2018

“Clemson student leads Furman to win against Clemson” is a headline I want to read this weekend:

Clemson student Harris Roberts will start at QB for Furman in Death Valley against the Tigers. https://t.co/Ntm6DSKINQ

— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) August 31, 2018

College football is underway and scouting season can begin in earnest:

#Bears scout Jeff Shiver in the house tonight at Ross-Ade Stadium for Northwestern-Purdue.

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 30, 2018

A way-too-early 2019 NFL mock draft from the Sporting News has the Bears taking Boston College defensive end Zach Allen with the sixth overall pick. While we’re unsure what Chicago’s needs will be next spring, it’s probably safe to assume there will be plenty of incentive to add to the defensive side of the ball. As we’ve learned this preseason, there is no such thing as too much pass-rushing depth.

Elsewhere in the football world, this is about to be a thing:

BREAKING: Colin Kaepernick's collusion grievance to go to trial after arbitrator denies NFL's request for summary judgment.

— The Associated Press (@AP) August 30, 2018

written by

Luis C. Medina

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron

Chicago Bears

NFL Schedule Release Update, Shane Waldron Trends, Can Rookie QBs Thrive? And Other Bears Bullets

Something interesting should go here. But I'm leaving the interesting stuff for the set of Bears Bullets that follow below. We've got an NFL schedule release update. And for those who were hoping it would drop this week, I hope...

Luis C. Medina

May 08, 2024

Chicago Bears

Report: Chiefs WR Rashee Rice In Trouble With The Law Again

Chiefs rookie receiver Rashee Rice is in legal trouble for the second time in just over a month. According to ABC News Dallas, Rice is under investigation for hitting a photographer at a club on Monday night. Dallas Police is...

Matt Rooney

May 07, 2024

Chicago Bears

Around the NFL: Burrow on the Mend, Boyd to Tennessee, Changes at NFL Network, More

Joe Burrow is on the comeback trail, his former teammate Tyler Boyd is heading to Tennessee, and did you see the Roast of Tom Brady? That and more in today's NFL Notes. Joe Burrow Working His Way Back from Wrist...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 08, 2024

Chicago Bears

Must-Read: Inside the Decision Process Behind the Bears Drafting Caleb Williams

Few people have had the Chicago Bears pegged like The MMQB's Albert Breer. Particularly, when it comes to the team's pursuit of Caleb Williams. For instance, Breer had the scoop on the Bears' dinner with Williams in April during the...

Luis C. Medina

May 07, 2024

Chicago Bears

Ian Cunningham Saved the Bears a Draft Pick

Chicago Bears Assistant General Manager Ian Cunningham reportedly earned an extension from the team in late April. It appears to already be paying dividends. In discussing what was going through his mind ahead of making the No. 9 pick in...

Luis C. Medina

May 07, 2024

Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams is Wasting No Time Organizing Team Activities

QB1 is already working to bring his teammates together. In an interview with 670 The Score's Danny Parkins and Matt Spiegel, Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet said that quarterback Caleb Williams had already begun ironing out a plan to...

Luis C. Medina

May 07, 2024

Chicago Bears

Building For Caleb, Shedeur Sanders Noise, Teddy Gives Back, and Other Bears Bullets

If you're reading this, I never circled back to create a more compelling opening for Bears Bullets. It seems like it is time to pump the brakes on a potential NFL schedule release dropping this week. Pro Football Talk's Mike...

Luis C. Medina

May 07, 2024

Chicago Bears

These Chicago Bears Will Have New Numbers in 2024

A bunch of notable Chicago Bears starters and key contributors will have new numbers in 2024. Let's run it down. No. 1 Jaylon Johnson — Justin Fields' number didn't stay out of circulation for long. Because about a month after Fields'...

Luis C. Medina

May 06, 2024

Chicago Bears

2024 Chicago Bears Offseason Reset: Who’s New? Who’s Gone? Projected Starters, More

It's the first Monday in May. What better time for a Chicago Bears offseason reset? For reference, this is what things were looking like for the Bears when they opened the new league year back in March. Chicago Bears free...

Luis C. Medina

May 06, 2024

jaylon johnson bears NFL salary cap raise beneficiary

Chicago Bears

Bears Schedule, Jaylon, International Fandom, Brady Roast, and Other Bears Bullets

In an interview with GQ Magazine's sports department, Megan Armstrong chops it up with Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson on a variety of topics. Most notably, for me, topics such as sex addiction, dealing with trauma, and therapy pop up....

Luis C. Medina

May 06, 2024

Picks

Rays vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 8, 2024

The Chicago White Sox (8-28 look to avoid the sweep when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays (19-18) in the final game of a three-game set. Oddsmakers have listed the Rays as -238 favorites, while the White Sox are +194...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Picks

Yankees vs. Astros Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Entering Wednesday's matchup with the New York Yankees (24-13), the Houston Astros (12-23) are on a three-game losing streak. The contest starts at 7:05 PM ET on SCHN with the Yankees listed as -145 favorites, while the are +121 underdogs...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Picks

Diamondbacks vs. Reds Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 8, 2024

The Cincinnati Reds (16-19) will try to end their six-game losing streak when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks (16-20) on Wednesday at 6:40 PM ET on BSOH. Bookmakers consider the Diamondbacks to be -119 favorites for the contest, while the...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Picks

Orioles vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 8, 2024

The Washington Nationals (18-17) hope to complete a two-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles (23-12) when the teams meet at 6:45 PM ET on Wednesday. The Orioles are -177 favorites to prevent the Nationals from completing the sweep.Baltimore's Kyle Bradish...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Picks

Braves vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Expect a display of power when Marcell Ozuna (10 HR) and the Atlanta Braves (21-12) take on Tyler O'Neill (9 HR) and the Boston Red Sox (19-17) at Truist Park at 7:20 PM ET live on NESN. Ozuna and the...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Picks

Mariners vs. Twins Probable Starting Pitchers – May 8

The Seattle Mariners (20-16) go on the road at Target Field against the Minnesota Twins (20-15) at 7:40 PM ET on Wednesday.The Mariners will call on George Kirby (3-2) against the Twins and Chris Paddack (3-1).Mariners vs. Twins Pitcher Matchup...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

We Were Treated To TWO Stanley Cup Playoff OT Games Last Night

There's just nothing better than overtime hockey in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Whether it's the team you root for or you have zero emotional investment in the game it's impossible not to be on the edge of your seat and...

Matt Rooney

May 08, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ Saved That Game with Two Incredible Defensive Plays

The Cubs may have won last night's game because of Shota Imanaga's dominance, Chris Morel's sac fly, Cody Bellinger's homer, and Michael Busch's lightning-fueled walk-off. But the game was saved by two huge defensive moments from Ian Happ and Nico...

Michael Cerami

May 08, 2024

Picks

Yankees vs. Astros Probable Starting Pitchers – May 8

Following a stretch of four consecutive wins, the New York Yankees (24-13) meet the Houston Astros (12-23) at 7:05 PM ET on Wednesday.The Yankees will give the nod to Carlos Rodon (2-2) against the Astros and Spencer Arrighetti (0-3).Yankees vs....

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Picks

Braves vs. Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – May 8

The Boston Red Sox (19-17) visit the Atlanta Braves (21-12) for a road game on Wednesday at 7:20 PM ET.The Braves will give the nod to Chris Sale (4-1) versus the Red Sox and Nick Pivetta (1-1).Braves vs. Red Sox...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

The Bears Blew a 27-3 Lead in the Most Meaningless Preseason Game Ever, and Other Bullets

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular