RECAP: A Tie That Feels Like a Win for Chicago; Bears Draw With Miami Dolphins, 24-24
The Chicago Bears kicked off their preseason with a 24-24 tie against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field.
After yesterday’s game, you might be feeling that special something again — optimism.
And you should.
This game wasn’t about Caleb Williams dazzling the crowd (he sat, as expected, after the joint practice on Friday). It was about the depth of this roster, the hunger of the backups, and a glimpse of what this new-look Bears team might become under Ben Johnson.
The game was a rollercoaster, and I mean that in an entertaining enough for the pre-season kind of way.
Miami struck first in the second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Alexander Mattison, but the Bears answered back with Tyson Bagent hitting Maurice Alexander for a 4-yard touchdown pass. Miami punched again with a 7-yard run by Jaylen Wright, but Cairo Santos, the ever-reliable kicker, nailed a 57-yard field goal (!?!) to keep it close at 14-10 by halftime.
The third quarter saw Case Keenum, who is fighting for the QB2 spot on the roster, connect with Deion Hankins for a 4-yard touchdown, giving Chicago a 17-14 lead. The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth slugfest: Miami took the lead with a 1-yard run by Ollie Gordon, Chicago responded with Keenum finding Jahdae Walker for a 14-yard touchdown, and Miami’s Jason Sanders tied it up with a 56-yard field goal. Final score: 24-24.
Now, obviously, nobody’s popping champagne over a preseason tie, but if you’re looking for reasons to believe in this Bears team, yesterday wasn’t something to roll your eyes at.
The offense racked up 295 yards—205 through the air, 90 on the ground—with 22 first downs. That’s not just “preseason good”; that’s a sign of a team with depth and playmakers. Rookie Luther Burden III made a clutch third-down grab, showing why the Bears are so high on him. Defensively, they forced two turnovers and gave the offense short fields to work with.
Preseason openers are about evaluating the guys who might not make the roster, and Chicago’s backups showed up. Bagent and Keenum didn’t just manage the game; they made plays. Maurice Alexander, Deion Hankins, and Jahdae Walker—names you might not know yet—looked like they belonged.
Most importantly, Ben Johnson cares.
The enthusiasm and attention to detail that have been making the rounds since the beginning of training camp were on display.
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