Bears Should Rest Starters in Preseason Finale, Johnson Urged
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson is advised to sit his starters, including quarterback Caleb Williams, for the preseason finale against Tennessee. The Titans plan to use their starters, but the Bears have already suffered many injuries and have nothing to gain from live reps. Johnson previously used starters for about a half last year, but this season's core is established.
The Bears' preseason finale against Tennessee comes with a compressed timeline, as final roster cuts must be made within 24 hours of the game's conclusion. Chicago has already weathered a camp marked by frequent injuries, including recent soft-tissue issues for defensive ends Austin Booker and Gervon Dexter, plus uncertainty around cornerbacks Tyrique Stevenson and Jaylon Johnson after they left practice. Safety Coby Bryant is already ruled out, and running back Kyle Monangai's status remains unclear.
Johnson's calculus differs from 2025, when he used starters for roughly a half in the preseason finale to evaluate an unproven offense. This year's core has a full season together, and Williams gained just nine reps in last week's brief appearance. With the opener against Carolina looming, the Bears have little to gain from live snaps against a Titans team planning to play its starters extensively.
This decision could shape the Bears' early-season trajectory, as injuries sustained in a meaningless game might ripple into the regular season opener and beyond. Fans and fantasy football players tracking Caleb Williams and key offensive pieces may see reduced preseason exposure as a prudent safeguard, though some observers could view it as lost competitive preparation. The broader NFL trend toward resting starters in preseason finales may reinforce a league-wide shift, potentially affecting ticket sales and broadcast interest for these exhibitions.