Football is back.
Arguably the greatest three words that can be put together in the English dictionary.
The Chicago Bears and Houston Texans will play each other in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, on Thursday night. Even though the starters for both teams won’t be participating, there is still plenty to watch for in this first preseason game of the 2024 NFL season.
Here are my top five Chicago Bears players to follow on Thursday night.
Austin Booker
Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington knows exactly what he want to see from fifth-round draft pick Austin Booker in the preseason.
“I want to see him hit the quarterback. Period,” Washington said. “I want to see him hit the quarterback, I want to see him use his speed and everything that he’s been working on that’s been poured into him so far, the investment that he’s made, I want to see him put himself in position to hit the quarterback and take the ball away from him.”
Booker’s defensive line coach Travis Smith described the rookie’s pass rush style as unorthodox earlier this year. Well, it’s time to see if that rush plan will work against NFL competition.
Zacch Pickens
In Wednesday’s practice, Zacch Pickens practiced with the players who will not be playing in the Hall of Fame game. However, I still have a feeling the second-year player from South Carolina will get some action in Thursday night’s game.
Pickens worked on losing weight going into this season so he could be more conditioned throughout an entire game. He also wanted to work on his get-offs and having a rush plan.
Pickens said his goal is to try and get six to nine sacks this season, so if the former third-round pick plays in Canton, he will get to test out everything he has worked on this summer.
Bill Murray
Before Bill Murray got a shout-out from head coach Matt Eberflus, the 6-foot-4, 307-pound interior offensive lineman was showing some flashes in practice.
Murray had some impressive reps in the one on ones during the Saturday practice on July 27. He even knocked 6-foot-1, 311-pound Andrew Billings off his feet on a pass rush rep.
When Teven Jenkins went out for a rep with the first-team offense, Murray filled in for a play before Jenkins returned for the following play.
“Bill Murray has had a really good camp so far,” Eberflus said. “Just naming one guy but he has done a really nice job. Done a nice job in pass pro. He’s learning it.”
If Murray’s name is mentioned on Thursday night’s broadcast, a lot of people will immediately think of the actor who has stared in “Caddyshack” and “Ghostbusters.” But Murray has an opportunity for people to recognize him as a football player.
Tory Taylor
The Australian punter from Iowa has proven throughout training camp why the Bears selected him in the fourth round. Tory Taylor has shown the ability to not only punt with power but with precision as well.
When the offense is forced to punt, the weapon on special teams will get an opportunity to test the Texans’ returners — like Taylor has done to his teammates all camp.
Even though Taylor has had a good camp, there are bound to be fans still skeptical of why the Bears chose a punter as high as they did. Maybe it will take just one punt that lands inside the five-yard line to sway some people that he was worth the pick on Day 3 of the draft.
Reddy Steward
The undrafted defensive back out of Troy has made some plays in training camp. In Saturday’s practice on July 27, Reddy Steward picked off Caleb Williams during 7-on-7s and also had a pass defensed.
With Kyler Gordon also missing time with some stiffness in his leg, Steward has seen opportunities with the first-team defense at the nickel cornerback position. There are three guys battling for that spot behind Gordon. Josh Blackwell, Jaylon Jones and Steward have all practiced there throughout camp.
All three of those players should be expected to play in Thursday night’s game.
Stock up for the season!
