Players Who Bear Watching in Preseason Finale

Justin Fields' presence in Saturday's game with other Bears starters drastically alters the view for Bears fans.

Unlike in the regular season, it's easy in preseason to zero in on a particular player to watch. The team is the thing in the regular season, but unemcumbered by a need to win, it's easier to take stock of the individual talent.

In the final preseason game against Buffalo, Fields' release and ability to run the offense against a strong defense will come into play, as well as his connection with DJ Moore.

However, players at the back end of the roster count, as well.

"I talked to the guys about being a playmaker," coach Matt Eberflus said. "Everybody’s a playmaker on the team. So you have to be able to make your plays.

"And this is a big step for those guys, for the back-end guys. When you’re looking at back end of the roster, you're always looking at and, of course, how does this guy help our football team? And that could be in a lot of different ways. How does he help you on special teams, if he’s one of those guys for sure?"

The other way is depth.

"If this guy’s out for two or three weeks or this guy’s out for a week, who can step in that role and we can still play winning football?" Eberflus said. "So we’re always balancing that act when we look at the back of the roster for sure."

Players on the front side and the back end and all over the Bears roster will be on display in this preseason finale and here's who to watch.

WR DJ Moore

Moore hasn't gone against anyone in preseason, really. He was on the field only briefly, caught a wide receiver screen and turned it into a touchdown. He can use this matchup against either two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Tre'Davious White or Kaiir Elam if the starters on defense to play for Buffalo. Bears fans got to see him score on a screen in a game. Now doing something downfield would be the next step.

QB Justin Fields

Fields shows in practice he can get the ball out a little quicker this year. Next would be in a game and throwing it downfield somewhere. Completing some to Darnell Mooney might be helpful, as well. He hasn't been as big a target for the Bears in practices and it would be a positive to know Fields hasn't forgotten him while he has tried to build a connection with his new target, Moore.

D'Onta Jones

He said he feels like he's barely been used in preseason, and there's truth to this. He has only six carries, although this isn't necessarily a bad thing in preseason. Jones can't be blamed for wanting more carries to show what he can do since he came to Chicago in free agency. However, Khalil Herbert is the starter and he has only four carries. Expect Jones' power to be featured and be obvious at points in the first-half running attack.

QB P.J. Walker

At some point, he needs to show something not so negative in a game. Even if it's not especially positive this might be a positive. Fortunately, Walker hasn't been as bad in practices as he has been in games. It also needs to be remembered that he has experience doing this and he wouldn't be playing with the backup offensive line in a regular-season game if called upon. The backup line support he has had in preseason has been miserable at times and his own spotty play only made for a bad mix.

Buffalo finished 15th in pass defense last year and fourth in taking away the ball. Even if some of the starters do not play, it's still going to be a good test for Walker going against backups from the Bills defense.

DE Dominique Robinson

Coaches insist he's a natural pass rusher—well, then rush someone naturally. It would be good to know GM Ryan Poles' 2022 fifth-round pick can do something because he hasn't shown up making big plays the way Trevis Gipson and Terrell Lewis have. So if they're going to keep him and cut a potential playmaker it would be nice to know he can make a play and they're not just keeping him to assuage Poles' ego.

WR Tyler Scott

Don't watch him for pass catches, although it would be nice to know he can catch one and not fumble afterward like he did in the preseason opener. They need to see him fielding punts. This seems like it could be his job to take if he can do it. Velus Jones Jr. obviously can't be trusted to field a punt. No one wants to see DJ Moore, Eddie Jackson or Tyrique Stevenson risked performing this hazardous task. A pass catcher who rates no higher than fourth or fifth at his position is a perfect player to do this.

G Cody Whitehair

He's had to move again. He didn't even get to start a game at center, as they intended, because of injuries to Teven Jenkins and Nate Davis. So how does Whitehair move and hit and stay between the rush and Fields will be important. The Bears might be starting three backups on the offensive line in Larry Borom, Ja'Tyre Carter and either Doug Kramer or Lucas Patrick. Whitehair's presence will be needed as they try to protect Fields.

T Larry Borom

His pass blocking has been excellent in preseason. Pro Football Focus grades him the best pass blocker this preseason for the Bears. If it continues, they can feel confident they'd have someone who can swing to either side of the line and there's no need to bring in a veteran presence. Borom has started a full season's worth of games in his two years—17 total. He should be making it look easier in preseason now.

LB Mykal Walker

The fifth linebacker position is wide open. He has the best credentials and hasn't been able to show them yet since he had just arrived before the game with the Colts. Doing something positive can give them confidence he can play a role on special teams, which is vital for any backup linebacker on a roster.

QB Tyson Bagent

Of course he's a player to watch. He'll either be third QB or practice squad—at least until someone else signs him away from the Bears. Eberflus won't say if he'll play as the backup QB, third or fourth, but in practice he usually is still the fourth. However, not always.