There are only hours left until the Chicago Bears play their first preseason game of the season when they host the Kansas City Chiefs in town. While preseason games don’t mean much in the grand scheme of the NFL season, it’s the perfect opportunity to get a feel for how the team will look and assess some players, especially rookies.
For the Bears 2022 draft class, this will be the first major test for them as they begin their NFL careers. Top draft picks such as cornerback Kyler Gordon and Velus Jones Jr. aren’t expected to play due to injuries, but the Bears have no shortage of rookies who could make an impact early on. Here are five rookies to watch when the Bears take on the Chiefs.
July 29, 2022; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Jaquan Brisker (9) talks to reporters during training camp at the PNC Center at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton – USA TODAY Sports
Rookie safety Jaquan Brisker took goal setting one step further when he explained what he wanted to do in the team’s first preseason game. “Probably get some turnover immediately,” Brisker told reporters this week. We’ll see if he can keep his word. But joking aside, Brisker looked like a proper playmaker during camp. He’s bound to break some passes on Saturday and maybe even come away with a turnover.
July 28, 2022; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Braxton Jones (70) during training camp at the PNC Center at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton – USA TODAY Sports
One of the highlights of camp was the consistent and solid play of rookie tackle Braxton Jones. Set to start at left tackle, he will face his toughest test yet as he will have to pull Chiefs passer Frank Clark away from Fields. It’s the perfect barometer to gauge Jones’ development heading into the regular season.
Chicago Bears defensive line Dominique Robinson adjusts his helmet at the NFL Football Team’s practice facility in Lake Forest, Ill., Tuesday, May 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Rookie defensive end Dominique Robinson has seen plenty of action in this camp, working against the Bears offensive line. Once considered a long-term project, Robinson has shown great promise and will now put his skills to the test against the Chiefs offensive line which has been reshuffled to protect Patrick Mahomes.
November 27, 2021; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears running back Trestan Ebner (1) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jérôme Miron – USA TODAY Sports
Rookie running back Trestan Ebner was a pleasant surprise at camp for two weeks. Whether it was taking the ball down the middle or catching a swing pass out of the backfield, Ebner showed he had excellent quickness and speed. It will be fun to see what he can do against another NFL defense and how the Bears could use him.
July 29, 2022; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears punter Trenton Gill (16) during training camp at the PNC Center at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton – USA TODAY Sports
For the first time since 2013, a player other than Pat O’Donnell will start the season as a Bears punter. Rookie Trenton Gill will throw kicks for the first time in a game format at Soldier Field. The stadium has unique wind tunnels and, not to mention, extremely poor pitch conditions that last 12 months out of the year. Hopefully Gill can overcome the learning curve quickly and impress fans with his soaring punts. Or at the very least, make them feel better about the punting game.