Three Observations: Chicago Bears beat Chiefs, 34-21, finish preseason 4-0

1994. That was the last time the Bears finished the preseason a perfect 4-0. That Bears team, led by Dave Wannstedt, finished the year 9-7, made the playoffs, and even won a playoff game, beating Minnesota 35-14 in the Wild Card round. Steve Walsh was the quarterback just in case you were wondering.

The Bears have only had three playoff wins since, two coming in 2006 when they went to the Super Bowl. So, I am calling this a historic preseason. Here are my observations:

1. More Velus Jones Jr. at running back please.

There are only a handful of players in the NFL that once they break free, they are most likely going to find their way to the end zone. In 17 carries at running back in his first two seasons, Velus Jones Jr. averaged 9.1 yards per carry. Against Kansas City in 13 carries he averaged 8.5.

Are we starting to see a trend here? Maybe. Jones had runs of 39, 33 and 23 yards on his way to an impressive 111 yards. D’Andre Swift has impressive shiftiness, but he does not have the breakaway speed Jones does. Khalil Herbert is effective but not flashy. Roschon Johnson is still finding his way.

Shane Waldron and company were smart enough to try Jones at running back. It will be interesting to see if they continue down the path and give Jones a shot in the regular season. One or two series a game to start out makes sense to me.

2. Reddy Steward looks ready to contribute now.

Reddy Steward is likely headed to the practice squad if and when he clears waivers. The Bears are very deep in the secondary and its going to be tough to crack the roster. Steward also looks like he is headed for a spot on some NFL roster sooner than later.

Two more interceptions including a pick 6 has Bears fans excited about Steward and rightfully so. There is an instinctual nature to how Steward breaks on the ball that is hard to teach. Steward’s eyes are more like a veterans than a rookies.

Steward played his college ball in relative obscurity at Troy University. He led the Sun Belt conference his senior year with 4 interceptions. He returned 3 interceptions for touchdowns in his college career.

Steward looks like he is ready to help the Bears if given a chance.

3. Tyson Bagent is that dual threat quarterback.

2nd and goal from the 5. Tyson Bagent drops back to pass. Bagent looks down field, pumps and then turns on the jets headed for the pylon. Chiefs defensive tackle Malik Herring is in hot pursuit, but Bagent has enough speed to get there, diving at the last second to extend the football over the goal line. Touchdown Bears, 7-0.

Bagent has been doing everything he can, both on and off the field to give himself a chance to not just be a “fringe guy” as he put it this week in a media session. Bagent has big goals that he does not want to talk about. No need to say them, but important to have them.

Bagent did tell us that in the offseason he was “grinding his face off” working out. He did a one-mile burpee broad jump workout that few have ever tried, let alone completed.

The goal is to be as athletic as possible and we saw the payoff with Bagent making it to the end zone. The backup QB can play.