RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Chicago Bears took on the Cleveland Browns in their first preseason game of 2026. This group came into training camp motivated and ready to work in hopes of improving on the great season they had a year ago.
Having a better start to the year could be the difference between them winning the division and trailing all year. It starts with a strong training camp and preseason. Saturday provided a good start as the Bears defeated the Browns, 34-10.
Head coach Ben Johnson doesn’t struggle to get everyone on the team to play hard, and it showed in the victory. There were sloppy moments at times, which is expected during this time of year, but everyone came together for a good overall showing.
Here are our grades for the offense, defense, special teams and coaching staff following the Bears' preseason opener.
Offense
Chicago’s offense took a second to get going in the first quarter. Quarterback Tyson Bagent looked a little bit out of sync, and they had a hard time driving the ball down the field. Eventually, however, Bagent started to find his rhythm, which allowed him to get the Bears back in the game after going down 10-0.
Bagent played in the first half before letting Case Keenum take over in the third quarter. When Keenum began playing, Antwaan Randle El began calling plays for Ben Johnson. It is a great way for the coach to get some experience doing that, and he did a great job.
Kaden Davis, who came into the game needing a big performance as he looks to make the team as the final wide receiver, deserves extra praise. He played a big role in Bagent getting the offense going in the first half with 88 yards on four receptions. Overall, the team had a nice balance running and throwing the ball, and they scored 34 points as a result. Johnson, Randle El, and everyone involved have a baseline of tape to build on from here.
Grade: A
Defense
The 10 points that the defense allowed, which put the team in a double-digit deficit, was the only 10 points the team allowed all game. Now, Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel aren’t exactly star quarterbacks leading Cleveland’s offense, but they truly were unable to get anything going.
On an individual level, the defensive line that played was able to make the quarterbacks think about them, and multiple individuals stepped up elsewhere on the field. Whether it was rookies, like cornerback Malik Muhammad or safety Dillon Thieneman, a returning veteran like Jack Sanborn, or a depth defensive end like Jamree Kromah, lots of unexpected players played a role in this performance.
When the season starts, it will be an entirely new ballgame. However, the reps in this preseason will help prepare those worthy of making the team to jump in if needed. Added confidence from playing well during the exhibition season could pay dividends.
Grade: A
Special Teams
The Bears did a great job on special teams. The most important thing is that mistakes that lead to opposing points never happen, but this group made things happen in this win. After Cairo Santos missed a 50-yard kick in the first quarter, he was perfect from there on out. Santos connected on 2-for-3 field goals, including a 51-yarder. He also went 4-for-4 on extra point attempts. Tory Taylor also had some booming punts.
As far as kick returns, the Bears had some success. Maurice Alexander didn’t return punts very well (8 yards on two returns), but he was great with kick returns as he gained 52 yards on two attempts, including a 30-yard comeback. Omari Kelly also returned one for 18 yards, which isn’t half bad either.
Kaden Davis had the best punt return, which went for 23 yards. Newest Bears addition Ray-Ray McCloud added an 11-yard return as well. The special teams units need to help the offense get more points and secure better field position. The players who land on this side of the ball will all play key roles in winning football.
Grade: A
Coaching
Ben Johnson knows what he’s doing. He has an idea of what he needs to see from starters during the preseason. He doesn’t see much of a difference between that and camp hitting, which will intensify with the Cincinnati Bengals during a joint practice. Whether it’s other coaching calling plays to gain experience, every side of the ball giving full effort on every play, it is clear that the Bears have a tactical and motivational advantage in pretty much every game. The fact that it could get even better from here is scary for the rest of the league.
But Johnson is also looking to help his coaching staff gain valuable experience. Bears assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El called plays in the second half, and it sounds like Johnson is considering giving other assistant coaches on his staff play-calling duties over Chicago's next two preseason games.
Grade: A
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears report card: How we graded Chicago in preseason win vs. Browns
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