Chicago Bears Preseason: Game balls from Week 3 loss to Bills

Playing their last preseason game of 2023, the Chicago Bears fell to the visiting Buffalo Bills 24-21 in a game that was unfortunately not as fun to watch as the last two contests.

The Bills, who are expected to compete for a Super Bowl this year, served as a stark reminder that the Bears are coming off a 3-14 season. Even if the Bears have taken great strides this offseason (and they have), they still have a ways to go before climbing to that highest tier.

But it’s still a preseason game, and attempting to read too deeply into the general results is a fool’s errand. As always, these games are more about individual performances, specifically those players fighting for backup positions on the final roster.

Let’s present some “game balls” to the players who made their best last impression before cutdown day on Tuesday.

Tyson Bagent

Though the stat sheet was not as pretty this time, Bagent still flashed a level of composure and competence not normally seen in an undrafted rookie from a Division II school.

He rushed for another touchdown, displaying his mobility, and would have had a beautiful 30-yard touchdown pass if the intended receiver had hung on to the ball. He did throw a bad interception, but it may have resulted from Bagent and his target not being on the same page and not just a bad decision.

Bagent finishes his rookie preseason 20/29 passing for 156 yards, an interception, and two rushing touchdowns. Even if his final preseason game was not as flashy as we might have hoped, one has to believe he’s done enough to earn a roster spot.

Though PJ Walker will almost certainly be the QB2 this season, Bagent could be developed into a highly capable backup over the course of this season and then assume that role in 2024.

DJ Moore

Bears fans probably still pinch themselves that DJ Moore is on their team. He’s caught only two preseason passes, and both went for monster yards after catch.

Against the Bills, Moore caught a pass in the middle of the field, surrounded by three defenders. He broke free from the first tackle and nearly took it to the house (it resulted in a 40-yard gain). He’s a big play waiting to happen, the kind of playmaker that Justin Fields hasn’t had since college.

Moore’s presence raises the floor for this offense to what is finally a respectable level.

Tyrique Stevenson

The Bears ended up with two takeaways against the Bills, and Stevenson’s interception along the sidelines was one of them. Despite getting called for two penalties (to be fair, one of them was objectively a bad call and should not be held against him), Stevenson redeemed himself with a fantastic pick, flashing the instincts and playmaking ability that have the Bears so high on him.

Stevenson needs to clean up the penalties and still has to work on his coverage, but the flashes are there, and that’s exciting to see.

Trevis Gipson

It was a strange day for Bears fans as far as Gipson is concerned. News broke during the game that the Bears had given Gipson permission to seek a trade. Gipson struggled mightily last season, and many suspected it was due to the switch from a 3-4 base defense to a 4-3.

Minutes after the news leak, Gipson blew through the Bills’ offensive line and knocked the ball loose for a strip sack recovered by Noah Sewell. He’s had some really nice moments this preseason, but it sounds like he and the Bears are heading for a split.

The Soldier Field Grounds Crew

I don’t know what they did differently, but the grass at Soldier Field yesterday has never looked better. It actually looked like an NFL playing field. Kudos to them, especially considering the absolutely unacceptable condition the field was in at this time last season.

Honorable Mentions: Noah Sewell for recovering a fumble (hopefully he’s okay after leaving the game with a bad limp), Tyler Scott for returning a kickoff 56 yards and nearly going all the way, and Cairo Santos for once again kicking a perfect game, including a 51-yard field goal.