Three things to watch for in the Bears’ preseason Hall of Fame Game opener against the Texans

Three things to watch for in the Bears’ preseason Hall of Fame Game opener against the Texans originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago

Caleb Williams will be on the sideline in sweats along with the rest of the starters on Thursday night when the Bears begin their 2024 preseason Hall of Fame game against the Houston Texans in Canton, Ohio.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus announced Tuesday that backup quarterback Tyson Bagent would start and that most of the action will involve guys on the periphery of the roster or on the outside looking in.

While Williams’ preseason debut will have to wait another week, there are still a few things worth watching Thursday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

New starting rule

Eyes around the NFL will be glued to the television on Thursday night to see how the Bears and Texans navigate the NFL’s new starting rules, which were adopted this offseason.

Here’s a brief overview of the new rules:

Ten members of the starting team will line up at the receiving team’s 40-yard line, while nine or 10 players from the returning team will line up in the “staging zone” between the 30- and 35-yard lines. or two returners between the 20-yard line and the end zone, known as the landing zone. Only the kicker and returner can move while the ball is in the air. Everyone else must wait until the ball drops to start moving. If the ball lands or is fielded before the 20-yard line, it will be placed on the 40-yard line. A touchback now starts at the 30-yard line.

Since the NFL announced the rule change, teams have struggled to understand their new starting reality.

Will they have to look for a different type of personnel in the starting lineup?

How many returners should be on the field?

Will this lead to more kickoff return touchdowns?

What is the ideal kick trajectory?

Thursday’s game will be the first to see the new rules in action, and everyone is curious to know what it will be like.

Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower has been experimenting with all body types on starting lineups to try to find an advantage. Hightower believes the new starting rule will be an advantage for the Bears in the return game due to Velus Jones Jr.’s size, speed and strength.

“I just think with a player his size — 6-foot-1 and 200-plus pounds — who can run a 4.31, they don’t play guys like that every day, with that kind of speed and that kind of size,” Hightower said. . “Him having the ball in his hands 4-5 more times a game gives him a chance to bring some excitement and some really good field position, hopefully, for Caleb, for whoever the returner is. can give Caleb the best chance we have to win games because of field position.”

“Extremely,” Jones said when asked if that gives him an advantage given his skill. “Definitely a game changer, very excited. Definitely adds value to my game. I’ve got speed, I’ve got physique, I’ve got size. It’s hard enough to take me down, but giving me an advantage?

“It will be a lot easier for us to get great field position and definitely more kickoff returns for touchdowns for the Chicago Bears.”

Will the newbie blink?

While Williams and fellow rookie Rome Odunze won’t match up on Thursday, fifth-round pick Austin Booker should see some serious playing time in Canton.

The 21-year-old has excelled in padded drills, and the Bears, who are still looking for reliable pass-rush support alongside Montez Sweat, are eager to see how Booker’s rapid growth translates into real action.

“I want to see him hit the quarterback, period,” defensive coordinator Eric Washington said of Booker on Wednesday. I want to see him hit the quarterback. I want to see him use his speed and everything that he has worked on and that has been invested in him so far, the investment that he has made. I want to see him position himself to hit the quarterback and take the ball away from him.”

The Bears are pleased with Booker’s first jumps since OTAs. Booker is currently behind Sweat, DeMarcus Walker and Jacob Martin in the rotation, but a preseason filled with impact plays could help change the outlook for a Bears defensive line that is one of the weak spots on a revamped roster.

“I feel like I can still compete at this level,” Booker said. “I’m at the same level as all the other guys or better. Just coming in and showing that I belong and showing that I can dominate at the highest level is a big thing. I think I’ve shown that in this camp.”

An unknown flash?

General manager Ryan Poles said it will be “tough to make” the Bears’ roster this season.

After two seasons of rebuilding the roster, the Bears have very few open spots for an unknown player to come up through camp and make the roster.

Bagent was the highlight during last year’s preseason. The undrafted rookie quarterback from Division II Shepherd University opened camp as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart, but surpassed Nathan Peterman and P.J. Walker thanks to an excellent camp and preseason.

Thursday night’s game is a great opportunity for someone to make the roster.

Undrafted free agent cornerback Reddy Steward had a great camp. Steward has done some work with the first-team defense as the Bears roam the slot corners, while Kyler Gordon remains sidelined due to tightness. Steward picked Williams during 7-on-7 work and at least put himself in the conversation for a spot on the practice squad. The Bears are incredibly deep at corner, so it will be difficult for Steward to leapfrog players like Greg Stroman Jr., Jaylon Jones and/or Josh Blackwell to score 53.

But a good preseason should see him land a spot on the practice squad.

Wide receiver Collin Johnson, wide receiver John Jackson, defensive tackle Byron Cowart, defensive end Daniel Hardy and offensive lineman Bill Murray are also among the names worth watching on Thursday night.

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