Five Bears who stood out in preseason victory over Seahawks

It was a resounding road victory for the Bears in their second preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks as they dominated from the start en route to a 27-11 final score.

Collectively, the team played well. It was the second-straight week in which the Bears displayed tremendous effort and hustle for all four quarters. Their discipline was evident throughout, too. Games like this make it easy to see that the Bears are a well-coached team. Only time will tell if translates into the regular season, but the early indicators are strong.

Outside of the strong team effort, some individuals made their presence felt, too.

Here are five Chicago Bears who stood out …

1. RG Teven Jenkins

Teven Jenkins got the nod to start the game at right guard, a position that he just switched to earlier this week. Despite the recent position switch and limited practice, Jenkins looked solid against the Seahawks.

He played with good effort and intensity. Jenkins’ motor was running hot as he played through the whistle. The arrow continues to point up for the second-year lineman.

Jenkins has a real possibility of becoming the Bears’ starting right guard in the home stretch of the preseason if he continues his current trajectory. His stock has rapidly risen over the last week.

2. TE Cole Kmet

After missing the first preseason game, it was good to see third-year tight end Cole Kmet get some game action. He only played one series (like the vast majority of offensive starters), but he was the focal point of the drive.

He caught two balls for 31 yards, including a 19-yarder from Fields that put the Bears into scoring position.

Kmet and Field’s connection will be pivotal to the offense’s success this season. Seeing them click in their first series playing with one another in the new offense should instill some confidence in the duo.

3. WR Velus Jones Jr.

Big return! @VelusJr already doing what he did in college…

📺: #CHIvsSEA on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/duqkxIEtbt pic.twitter.com/uqxWw1ED7X

— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2022

It’s understandable for a player to feel some nerves in their first-ever NFL game. Perhaps that’s why Velus Jones Jr. fumbled the opening kickoff — the first time he’s touched the ball as a professional.

The rookie didn’t let that deter him from reminding everyone that he can be a dangerous return man and took advantage of his very next opportunity. In the second quarter, Jones fielded a punt at his own 19-yard line. The speedster turned on the jets, made multiple people miss, and ended up deep into Seattle territory with a 48-yard punt return.

He only caught one ball on offense for four yards on two total targets. Even though his production on offense was minimal, there’s no need to panic about his ability to become a playmaker.

He demonstrated on that punt return he can be an effective scoring threat for Chicago. You can’t demand much more in a preseason debut for a third-round rookie wideout.

4. DL Trevon Coley

This was a player that should have been in the standout player article after the preseason opener against the Chiefs after having two sacks, a quarterback hit and a pass deflection.

Trevon Coley made his presence felt in the backfield yet again as the defensive lineman earned himself another sack.

He didn’t do much other than that in this game, but as a player fighting for a roster spot, Coley is making the splash plays that garner attention.

5. WR Isaiah Coulter

After not showing much in the preseason opener, Isaiah Coulter turned things around against the Seahawks. He finished with three catches and 39 yards, which led the team. His 23-yard catch was also the longest play for Chicago through the air.

Coulter’s day could have been more impactful. He was unable to come away with a sliding catch along the sideline on a play that was called incomplete. I say “called” because it sure looked like he caught it. The Bears just didn’t throw the challenge flag. He also could not haul in a jump ball in the corner of the end zone in the fourth quarter.

And near the end of the game, he failed to recover an onside kick from Seattle in which the Seahawks recovered.

Coulter was a player that stepped up in practice after the injury bug bit the receivers a couple of weeks back. It’s good to see him find success in a game. Not sure if it’s too little too late in terms of making the final roster, but he’s not folding over.

Honorable Mentions

• FB Jake Tonges – The backup fullback caught a touchdown. Starter Khari Blasingame was spotted during the game in a cast. So this may be big.
  
• WR Nsimba Webster – Had a team-high four catches, but for only 25 yards. He also had a 58-yard kickoff return.
  
• DE Al-Quadin Muhammad – Finished the game with three tackles and a sack.
  
• LB DeMarquis Gates – The USFL standout led the Bears with two tackles for loss and finished the game with five total tackles. His second-straight strong performance.
  
• LBs Jack Sanborn and Joe Thomas – Each backup linebacker finished the game with seven total tackles each with Thomas also notching one for loss.
  
• S Elijah Hicks – Recovered a muffed punt for a touchdown. Also finished the game with five tackles.
  
• P Trenton Gill – Four of his seven punts were downed inside the 20. He also had a long of 61 yards.
  
• CB BoPete Keyes – After impressing as a tackler against the Chiefs, Keyes finished this one with seven tackles, tied for the team-high.