Two Rookies Land Among Bears' Highest Graded Players in Loss to Bengals

Despite a humiliating preseason Week 2 loss to the Bengals, Saturday night's game wasn't all bad for the Chicago Bears. Defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo looked plenty motivated for a bounce-back season in the limited action he saw, nearly landing a crushing sack on Bengals quarterback Josh Johnson. And even though the starting offense was held out of the endzone on their lone drive of the night, Caleb Williams appeared in complete command.

Additionally, a few Bears players earned elite Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades for their efforts, including two rookies who could have outsized impacts in 2026, if they make the Bears' final 53-man roster. With that in mind, let's take a look at the three highest graded Bears from Saturday night's game.

1. Skyler Thomas - 88.2 PFF grade

The Bears did not register many splash plays in what was ultimately a 27-9 loss to the Bengals, but undrafted free agent (UDFA) rookie Skyler Thomas provided a big one. Early in the fourth quarter, he dove in front of a pass intended for Bengals tight end Jack Endries, ripping the ball away and surviving some rough contact with the ground to complete the takeaway.

Even before training camp started, Thomas was considered one of six UDFA's with the best odds to make the roster, and his performance on Saturday certainly helped his case. Aside from the nifty interception, he provided sticky coverage against Cincinnati's receivers, and his 88.2 PFF grade was the second highest from either team, behind only Bengals linebacker Liam Anderson.

2. Maurice Alexander - 87.3 PFF grade

There was plenty of blame to go around for the Bears' loss to the Bengals on Saturday, but not for Maurice Alexander. The former USFL receiver hauled in all five targets that came his way, racking up 60 yards in the process and securing an 87.3 PFF grade, the highest offensive grade for either team.

Alexander is currently fighting with fellow receivers Jahdae Walker and Kaden Davis for a roster spot in what could be a crowded wide receiver room. Walker impressed yet again with a leaping 36-yard catch against the Bengals while Davis has been steadily improving all throughout camp. If Alexander can repeat this performance in the Bears' final preseason game against the Tennessee Titans, Ben Johnson and receivers coach Antwaan Randle El could have a tough decision on their hands.

3. Jordan van den Berg - 84.4 PFF grade

Van den Berg's late training camp surge has carried over into the preseason, making the sixth-round rookie a near lock to make the roster. In two preseason games against the Browns and Bengals, van den Berg has played like a man possessed, racing left and right, up and down the field, providing quality play against both the run and the pass.

Though he still hasn't registered a sack this preseason, van den Berg has been credited for multiple pressures in each game, and against the Bengals he showcased impressive effort in chasing down the ball carrier on an outside run and stopping him for no gain. He also channeled a little of the spirit of Chicago Bulls legend Dennis Rodman when he dove at Bengals quarterback Sean Clifford as he raced out of bounds.

Van den Berg earned an elite 84.4 grade from PFF for that performance, and even that felt a tad low. Still, it's a testament to how far van den Berg has come since OTAs in the spring. If he continues developing at this pace, it won't be long before he gets some serious playing time in regular season games.

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