Bears’ preseason opener against Dolphins ends in 24-24 tie, team’s first since 1973

With the Bears sitting most of their starters Sunday in the preseason opener against the Dolphins, they tied 24-24. There is no overtime in preseason games, and it’s the Bears’ first preseason tie since it happened against the Dolphins in 1973.

Coach Ben Johnson bypassed a chance to kick a go-ahead field goal from 53 yards with 1:54 left in favor of going for it on fourth-and-three, and fourth-string quarterback Austin Reed’s pass to Jahdae Walker was short and incomplete.

The defense held up, though, and safety Alex Cook sacked Dolphins third-string quarterback Quinn Ewers on fourth-and-15 to get another shot at the Miami 41-yard line. They gained no ground, however, and turned the ball over on downs.

It was just outside kicker Cairo Santos’ range based on the 57-yard field goal he nailed from the right hash with room to spare as time ran out at the end of the first half.

The Bears’ backups had two bright spots in the first half:

• The defense delivered a goal-line stop against Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and a smattering of their starters.

• Quarterback Tyson Bagent converted a fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line with a touchdown pass to fourth-stringer Maurice Alexander with 4:43 left in the second quarter.

Tagovailoa played one series and completed 5 of 6 passes for 27 yards, while Bears starting quarterback Caleb Williams did not dress.

The Bears’ most productive players in the first half were rookie running back Kyle Monangai (six carries for 30 yards) and wide receiver Devin Duvernay (three catches for 27 yards). Duverney is near-certain to make the team primarily as a return man.

Bagent finished 12 of 18 for 90 yards with a touchdown and an interception for a 73.8 passer rating.

The only first-string players coach Ben Johnson played Sunday were rookie tight end Colston Loveland, left tackle Braxton Jones and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.

It was not clear whether Stevenson was playing because he is in a position battle with Nahshon Wright and Terell Smith or as a consequence for fighting in the joint practice with the Dolphins on Friday.

Johnson warned players before practice Friday that anyone who fought would have to play. There were several skirmishes, but Stevenson was central to extending one of them and was pulled off the field for a couple plays because of it.