The Bears are in for their biggest chal-lenge of the offseason Friday when the Bills visit for a joint practice at Halas Hall ahead of the teams’ preseason game Sunday. It’ll be a lot different for the defense than facing its own offense, and it won’t be what the Dolphins brought to Soldier Field last week.
The Bills have made the playoffs six seasons in a row — something the Bears have never done — and held a lead over the Chiefs in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game in January.
This will be an up-close look at where Bears coach Ben Johnson hopes to take his team.
“You talk about a team that is a perennial Super Bowl contender right now, really good talent,” Johnson said of the Bills. “It’ll be a good measure for where we’re at as a unit.”
Over the last six seasons, the Bills have the second-best record in the NFL (compared to the Bears’ fifth-worst). Their rise has coincided with that of Josh Allen, who has distinguished himself as by far the best quarterback of an overhyped and underwhelming 2018 draft class. He threw more interceptions than touchdowns as a rookie but showed tremendous potential with his decisiveness and ability to plow through defenders as a bruising runner. He was an MVP candidate by his third season and beat Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Eagles running back Saquon Barkley for the award last season.
“Did he win MVP last year?” Bears safety Jaquan Brisker asked, surprised.
It’s a good time for all the Bears to pay closer attention. The Bills were second in scoring in 2024, just behind Johnson’s Lions, and 10th in defense. They’re the No. 3 favorite to win the next Super Bowl, behind the Eagles and Ravens. They’re also known as one of the toughest, most physical teams in the league, so the Bears are unlikely to catch them off guard with their intensity the way they did against the Dolphins.
For the Bears’ defensive line, which has been outstanding in training camp, a multi-layered challenge awaits:
υ The Bills have the No. 3 offensive line in Pro Football Focus’ preseason rankings. That includes Pro Bowl selections in left tackle Dion Dawkins and center Connor McGovern.
υ The Bills were eighth in the NFL in rushing last season — and two-time Pro Bowl running back James Cook ended his hold-in this week after signing a four-year, $48 million contract extension.
υ Allen has a quick release and doesn’t hang around long in the pocket.
That said, the joint session Friday might be the Bears’ only look at Allen. Bills coach Sean McDermott hasn’t clarified his plans for the game. Allen played sparingly in the preseason a year ago.
“I’m in a good spot,” Allen said this week. “Going and practicing against somebody . . . those are good reps to get. So, no, I don’t think I need preseason reps.”
Allen didn’t play in the Bills’ preseason opener last week, leaving former Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky to start. Trubisky is expected to speak with reporters Friday when he makes his return to Halas Hall.
The best thing the Bears can get out of the joint practice and game, as Johnson said, is a clear grasp of where they stand ahead of the season opener Sept. 8. The defense has looked good for weeks but hasn’t seen a test like this. Quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense have been struggling, but a streamlined, opponent-specific game plan against a team that isn’t deeply familiar with Williams’ tendencies might open things up.
Either way, the timing and circumstances are right for the Bears to get an accurate look at what still needs to be fixed.
