The Chicago Bears will finally return to the field on Thursday to participate in the annual Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans. Due to the early timing in the preseason, fans usually don’t see star players, and Chicago has already announced that its starters will not be playing.
This scenario creates a significant opportunity for players who are not guaranteed a spot on the roster to make an impression. Here are several Bears who are playing to secure or take over a roster spot in the Hall of Fame Game:
1. Tyson Bagent, QB
Chicago has decided to rest No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams against Houston. Instead, Matt Eberflus has chosen Tyson Bagent to start on Thursday, providing him a chance to solidify his position as the backup quarterback.
Bagent contributed to the Bears’ overall success as a rookie, securing two wins in four starts. However, his personal performance was less impressive, with only 776 passing yards and more interceptions (5) than touchdowns (3).
While one early preseason game won’t necessarily dethrone Bagent from the backup spot, it could lead the Bears to consider alternatives if he struggles. Given that Bagent will mostly face the Texans’ backups, he is expected to perform well. Otherwise, it would be hard for Chicago to trust him in crucial regular season moments.
For Bagent’s sake, a strong performance in Canton could help silence some of the skeptics.
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