NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Breaking down the Bears’ 24-15 preseason win against the Titans on Saturday night at Nissan Stadium:
What happened
With most the Bears’ starters sitting, quarterback Tyson Bagent threw a 97-yard touchdown pass to rookie Zavion Thomas on their first offensive play and never trailed the rest of the way. Bagent finished with a 156.9 passer rating. Roschon Johnson led all rushers with 12 carries for 41 yards. The Bears defense didn’t give up a touchdown until there was less than four minutes remaining.
Burden good
Hours before kickoff, Caleb Williams threw to the Bears’ regular starters — among them, Luther Burden, who is recovering from a groin injury. Coach Ben Johnson said “he looks 100% to me,” a good sign given that the season opener is two weeks away.
J.T, on the call
Quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett called plays in the second half. Receivers coach Antwaan Randle-El handled the second half of Game 1 and tight ends coach Jim Dray called plays in the second half of Game 2.
A stadium!
The Titans are building the new Nissan Stadium just feet from the original, set to open next year, and have already been granted the Super Bowl at the end of the 2029 season. The Titans got a sweetheart deal from local authorities the Bears could only dream of — when the Nashville sports authority pledged $760 million the state $500 million more in 2022, it marked the most public funding ever for an NFL stadium.
What’s next
The Bears must trim their rosters from 90 players to 53 by 5 p.m. Sunday.