Prime Preseason Players

The preseason is officially over, and Packer Week has arrived for the Chicago Bears. The anticipation for this season (and this game in particular) is incredibly palpable. However, there were several players who stood out in relief of the first-team players in the preseason. Let’s take a look at three players specifically, who especially played admirably this preseason.

QB Tyson Bagent

Coming into the preseason, the undrafted free-agent felt like he was stuck running fourth-team at quarterback behind Justin Fields, PJ Walker, and Nathan Peterman. But preseason brings out the unlikeliest of heroes. And for Tyson Bagent, his performance in those games earned him a spot on the 53-man roster.

Playing in all three games, Bagent completed 20/29 passes for 156 yards, including leading a 17-play, 92-yard touchdown drive in a fashion that can only be described as professional. He also added a rushing touchdown against Buffalo in the final preseason game. This, combined with Walker’s struggles (and eventual release) during the preseason, cemented Bagent as QB3 and a spot on the 53-man roster. Not bad for an undrafted rookie out of Shepherd University.

WR Daurice Fountain

Before the preseason, Fountain had spent last season with the Bears practice squad, and this year he was able to prove himself in these exhibition games. In all three games with the Bears, he caught seven passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. He made a concerted effort to break the 53-man roster for Chicago, but with DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Velus Jones Jr., and Equanimeous St. Brown firmly on the roster, there was just no room for Fountain. He was waived by the Bears, claimed by the Detroit Lions, and placed on their practice squad.

CB Michael Ojemudia

Ojemudia was claimed off of waivers from the Denver Broncos late last season, and in the preseason he was able to really flex his muscles. Playing in all three games, he didn’t necessarily show up in the counting stats, but his presence in on-field coverage was surely felt. He was graded at a 78.7 by Pro Football Focus this preseason, ranking him second among Bears defenders. He was waived by the Bears after the preseason, and went unclaimed on waivers. He’s now a free agent, and any team that decides to pick him up is getting a fantastic coverage defender.

Well, the preseason is now over, and the regular season looms large. But these players, whether they’re with Chicago anymore or not, will make an impact in this league. How are you feeling about the upcoming season? Let me know what you think!