Bears vs. Seahawks: What we learned from Chicago’s second preseason win

The Chicago Bears defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 27-11, on national television in Thursday night’s Week 2 preseason game. It was a game that was never truly close. But that doesn’t mean we didn’t learn some things about the Bears in this win.

First, we have to remember that this was a preseason game, and that there’s not much you can take from summer scrimmages about a team as a whole. But there are things to be learned, and they give you glimpses of players who are fighting for a roster spot. So let’s dive into a few things from last night’s game that Bears fans should know.

The Bears are no longer a sloppy, unprepared team.

Matt Nagy’s Bears were never prepared. Costly penalties, dumb mistakes, delay of game calls coming out of a timeout. That hasn’t been the case with the Matt Eberflus Bears, who appear to be a well-oiled machine. In two preseason games, Chicago has totaled just three penalties. Guys are flying to the ball on defense. Everyone on offense knows their assignment. Besides the development of Justin Fields (who also looked good in his limited playing time), this is by far the most important area of improvement for the team.

Luke Getsy knows what he’s doing.

The starters got just one drive last night that ended in a field goal, but the cohesive play-calling was nice to see. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy got QB Justin Fields on the move and throwing a dart to a wide-open TE Cole Kmet for 28 yards and a first down.

Receivers are being schemed open. Fields is playing to his strengths. The offense is working all areas of the field. We don’t know if Getsy will be a great play-caller once the games count for real, but we do know that he’s at least competent, and that makes him a huge upgrade over last year’s regime.

Teven Jenkins looked good at RG but questions remain on offensive line.

I’ll admit it: I was worried when the Bears took the field on offense for the first time. Teven Jenkins was lined up at right for the first time in his pro career and he looked a little overwhelmed. To his credit, he came back with a fury for the rest of his time in the game. He was a menace, which is exactly what Bears fans were hoping to see.

Unfortunately, the offensive line as a whole is still a problem. Rookie left tackle Braxton Jones underwhelmed after a strong debut against Kansas City, center Sam Mustipher was a turnstile once again, and right tackle Larry Borom had another mixed-bag performance.

Hopefully, the return of center Lucas Patrick will help. But it’s clear that the offensive line’s ceiling is still limited. A full slate of draft picks and a sack full of money in next year’s offseason will allow general manager Ryan Poles to add some talent to this group.

Bears Special Teams continues to be special.

NFL teams can’t win important games if their special teams unit is bad. Just ask our friends from Wisconsin about that. It doesn’t looke like the Bears will have that problem this year.

Rookie Velus Jones Jr. had an incredible night returning kicks and punts, and wide receiver Nsimba Webster had a big return as well. First-year safety Elijah Hicks recovered a muffed punt for a touchdown, and punter Trenton Gill showed once again that he could be the best punter the Bears have had in years.

It’s safe to say, through two preseason games, that this Chicago Bears team looks nothing at all like last year’s squad, and that’s very good news.