Earlier in May, the NFL unveiled its 2020 regular-season schedule (you can check out some of the Bears’ highlights here). In addition to that roll out, the league also shared preseason opponents, though they did not reveal official times and dates at the time.
But now, things are officially set. So let’s check it out.
• Preseason Week 1: Saturday, August 15 vs. Browns (noon)
• Preseason Week 2: Saturday, August 22 at Broncos (8:05 p.m. CT)
• Preseason Week 3: Saturday, August 29 vs. 49ers (noon)
• Preseason Week 4: Thursday, September 3 at Titans (7 p.m.)
Considering the uncertainty of the moment, I am a bit surprised the NFL’s schedule-makers are sending the Bears out west to Denver and sending the 49ers on a trip east from San Francisco. I figured preseason matchups were going to be more regionalized, but I guess I appreciate the NFL’s optimism. Positive vibes only, babe.
As for their opponents, three of the four are AFC foes. The first of which is against the Browns in a battle of teams who were among the biggest disappointments of 2019. As for the Bears’ final preseason opponent, they’ll face a team which happens to be a regular-season opponent. Just don’t expect the Bears or Titans to unveil anything they will use later in the year.
That preseason Week 3 matchup against the Niners is a juicy one. Preseason Week 3 is traditionally a dress rehearsal game, well, it was before Matt Nagy called off the horses in an attempt to have as many healthy bodies available heading into the regular season. But Nagy has already said he expects regulars to play in the preseason this year. And since the Bears have a legitimate quarterback competition happening, the team will need to follow through with that plan in order to best evaluate both Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles.
Back in February, reports surfaced that the Bears and Broncos were working toward a second round of joint practices. And earlier in May, Broncos Vice President of Public Relations confirmed that Denver will host the Bears for a practice week ahead of their matchup against the Bears. If you’ll recall, both teams participated in joint practices ahead of the 2018 preseason matchup.