Chicago Bears: 3 Standout performers from Preseason Week 1

2. Alec Ogletree, LB

The Chicago Bears signed a familiar face in Christian Jones this offseason to add depth to the inside linebackers unit. In the Bears’ first depth chart, he and Joel Iyiegbuniwe were the two main backups at that position.

That might have changed when the team signed Alec Ogletree. They wanted even more depth and he was available.

So far, Ogletree has been lights out for the Bears. In his first four days at training camp, he had six interceptions. He only played about a quarter against the Dolphins but he made an impact. He had four tackles (one tackle for a loss) and a pass defended.

That tackle for loss came at a big moment. On third and goal at the Bears’ 1-yard line, Ogletree stopped Malcolm Brown two yards behind the line of scrimmage. The Dolphins had to settle for a field goal to make it 3-0.

These are the type of plays the Bears expect to see from Ogletree when he comes in. He has a nose for the football and usually finds himself there. He has 12 career interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. For his part, Iyiegbuniwe had two tackles and nothing else. After three unproductive seasons, he has to make a bigger impression than that to find himself playing on defense.

The Bears want the defense to force more turnovers. Ogletree helps with that. He made an impact in his first game.