Bears and Dolphins Postgame Report: 2025 Preseason Week 1

Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears Tie - 2025 Preseason Week 1

With most starters taking the day off in Sunday’s affair for both teams, it was a game riddled with some mistakes but also some big plays that could land some of these backups on the 53-man roster or even starters.

Standout Defensive Performers:

To start, I want to give Austin Booker his flowers. The Bears' fifth-round draft pick last year had a monster day, notching six tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble. He was the leader of the Bears' defense and a candidate to be in the starting lineup alongside star edge, Montez Sweat. He had a very rotational role last year, but I see him having a more solidified role in this defense as long as he plays another preseason game or two and has a similar performance. Other notable players were Noah Sewell, who had a goal-line stop on 4th and goal, and Zach Pickens, who had a sack and multiple tackles for stops.

Ben Johnson’s Offense: 

One thing that was notably different about this Bears team is the new high-tempo offense. Although Case Keenum had the best day, going 8/10 for 80 yards and two touchdowns, Tyson Bagent and Austin Reed looked excellent as well. He tried to stretch the field more often to get the run game open, which Johnson is notorious for doing. Kyle Monangai looked solid as well, grabbing 30 yards off of 6 carries. The stats might not turn heads right away, but with conversations coming out of the Bears camp that he is looking like a real threat to that number two spot, and having 5 YPC in his first game as a pro. I wouldn’t be surprised if he were that powerback half to D’Andre Swift’s elusive half.

Final Thoughts:

Although the game was a little sloppy, it was to be expected with a lot of rookies and backups playing together in a new system. This Bears team seems rejuvenated and full of life under Johnson’s new regime. There is more importance in the later preseason games with guys like Caleb Williams, Joe Thunley, and Grady Jarrett getting more snaps in their respective roles.