Chicago Bears: 3 Big takeaways from Preseason Week 4
This is an exciting offense, even when the backups are running it
New head coach Matt Nagy has a reputation for utilizing a modern-day, high-octane offense. Last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback Alex Smith had his best year. The Chiefs’ offense ranked sixth in points scored and fifth in yards gained.
Nagy’s offense uses everyone on the field. The ball gets spread around. That happened in this game. Tyler Bray completed passes to nine receivers against the Bills. He didn’t zone in on any specific receiver.
One thing about the offense is it uses the tight end a lot. Bray completed five of his passes to tight ends. With Adam Shaheen down for some time, I think the Bears carry an extra tight end. Shaheen, Trey Burton, and Dion Sims all make it. With four catches and 64 yards between them, both Daniel Brown and Ben Braunecker did enough to make the team. Once Shaheen starts playing again, however, one of them may get cut.
What I liked about how the offense played was how the Bears went on long drives. Just in the first half, the Bears had drives of 12 plays for 69 yards, 10 plays for 85 yards, and eight plays for 83 yards.
It wasn’t just that they were long, but they resulted in scores. Not all of them were touchdowns, but if the offense gets the ball deep on their side of the field and march down for a score, that’s a good thing. Additionally, if they can go on long drives, it keeps great quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers on the bench. That’s also a good thing.
Another good sight is at running back. The Bears ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns. I like what Ryan Nall did (four carries for 79 yards and a touchdown) but the coaches had him a lot at fullback late so those last few looks at that position could decide his fate. I think he’s a practice squad player.
It should be fun to see the upper-level players run this offense. If they can run the offense as effectively as these backups did, Soldier Field should be a loud and happy place this season.