Sean Clifford Tosses Preseason Touchdown to Open Bengals Second-Half Scoring Against Bears

Cincinnati is barreling towards a huge season for the franchise.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Sean Clifford (4) throws a pass during practice at the Paycor Stadium practice facility in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Bengals' backup quarterbacks kept their rip-roaring preseason performance going in the second half against Chicago. Noah Thomas joined the touchdown party with a nice 20-yard strike from Sean Clifford to give Cincinnati a 24-9 lead over the Bears.

Josh Johnson handed the signal-caller reins to Clifford for a strong showing in his opening drive of the preseason.

Clifford is fighting for a practice squad spot like he locked down last season.

He joined the Bengals' practice squad in September 2025 after starting his career as a college free agent signee of Green Bay in 2023. He spent his rookie season on the Packers' active roster before spending the entire '24 campaign on their practice squad. The veteran was a three-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention pick playing for the Penn State Nittany Lions in college.

Check out the touchdown below and his opening drive log:

Noah Thomas found the end zone!#CHIvsCIN 7:00 PM on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/MJOTnoq8fX

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 23, 2026

20-yd Touchdown Pass

11:57 - 3rd

(Shotgun) S.Clifford pass deep right to N.Thomas for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-W. Wagner, Holder-R.Rehkow.

1st & 10 at CHI 20

13-yd Pass

12:45 - 3rd

(Shotgun) S.Clifford pass short left to K.Williams to CHI 20 for 13 yards (D.Hardy).

3rd & 10 at CHI 33

5-yd Run

13:18 - 3rd

(Shotgun) S.Clifford scrambles right end run out at CHI 33 for 5 yards (R.Hyppolite).

2nd & 15 at CHI 38

Incompletion

13:22 - 3rd

(Shotgun) S.Clifford pass incomplete, short middle to Cha. Jones (D.Manning).

1st & 15 at CHI 38

5-yd Penalty

13:43 - 3rd

PENALTY on CIN-B.Parker, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at CHI 33 - No Play.

1st & 10 at CHI 33

26-yd Pass

14:18 - 3rd

S.Clifford pass deep right to Cha. Jones pushed ob. at CHI 33 for 26 yards (S.Thomas).

1st & 10 at CIN 41

11-yd Pass

14:55 - 3rd

(Shotgun) S.Clifford pass short middle to K.Williams to CIN 41 for 11 yards (W.Matthews).

1st & 10 at CIN 30

Kickoff

15:00 - 3rd

C.Santos kicks 60 yards from CHI 35 to CIN 5. D.Meyers to CIN 30 for 25 yards (W.Matthews).

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