Chicago Bears Preseason: Game balls in Week 1’s win over Titans

The Chicago Bears defeated the Tennessee Titans 23-17 in their first preseason game of the summer, and the good news for coach Matt Eberflus and GM Ryan Poles, beyond the win, is that several players flashed exciting upside.

But who showed out the most? Let’s hand out some game balls.

I will try not to select any of the starters for the preseason games. They don’t play very much, and there’s no actual game plan being implemented for them.

So while DJ Moore and Khalil Herbert’s touchdowns were fun, they won’t get game balls for their efforts.

Here are the Bears who do.

Terrell Lewis

Lewis was an unknown commodity when he signed with the Chicago Bears this offseason. That’s all changed now.

Lewis registered two sacks and caused havoc in the Titans’ backfield all game. Granted, it’s preseason, so we don’t want to read too much into the stat sheet. But for what it was, it was a great first impression for Lewis.

Travis Bell

Consider me a big fan of the 7th-round draft pick from Kennesaw State. The first player ever drafted into the NFL from his school, we’ve heard nothing but praise for Bell from his teammates, coaches, and even GM Ryan Poles.

Against the Titans, the defensive tackle registered a sack in his first NFL action on a third and long, and the Bears sideline let him hear it. Bell is your guy if you’re looking for an underdog to root for to make the roster.

Trevis Gipson

I don’t know if the Bears’ front office was trying to send a message to Gipson when they stuck him at the bottom of the depth chart, but if they did, consider that message received.

Gipson was an absolute menace on Saturday, making life for Tennessee’s offensive tackles a nightmare. He ended the game with three quarterback pressures and a sack and was close to adding a few more.

Last week I wrote that Gipson’s roster spot was in serious doubt, but now it’s looking like I spoke far too soon.

Kyler Gordon

Called Spider-Man by his coaches and teammates, Gordon looks like a new player since we last saw him in 2022. He’s confident, he’s playing good coverage, and on Saturday, he delivered a couple of rib-rattling shots to receivers.

If Gordon continues his rapid ascent, the Bears’ secondary will look like one of the best in the league.

Honorable Mentions: Tyson Bagent, for looking like the most competent quarterback behind Justin Fields, and Barrington Wade for a beautiful pass deflection in the back of the endzone to essentially ice the game.