Let's be clear. It was far from a defining moment. But it was at least an early August snapshot to review. In the late stages of Saturday's Family Fest practice at Soldier Field, Bears starting quarterback Mike Glennon faced a minor test — a third-and-3 at the 8.

With poise, Glennon took the snap, made his reads and fired a dart to his left, hitting tight end Dion Sims at the goal line.

Touchdown Bears. The crowd roared.

At this point, every little bit of encouragement helps.

Again, to be clear, this wasn't exactly the stress Glennon and the offense will face five weeks from now when they welcome the defending NFC champion Falcons to Soldier Field. Five weeks from now, they won't be facing their own second-unit defense. And there won't be a deejay in the north end zone pumping out Rae Sremmurd's "Black Beatles" as Glennon throws. But in nine plays of live, full-tackling action Saturday, Glennon led the Bears' offense on a 60-yard scoring march.

The starting quarterback was perfect on the drive — 5-for-5 for 53 yards, including the touchdown.

So on a small scale, what exactly did that march signify?

"I hope it brings confidence," coach John Fox said. "Coming off a 3-13 season, there's not a lot of confidence. But we have a lot of new guys in that locker room who will help that."

The Bears' first-team defense had its own success Saturday, forcing the second-unit offense to punt on its first series of live 11-on-11 action. Prince Amukamara was active in the secondary and nearly had a pick-six on back-up quarterback Mark Sanchez. (The veteran defensive back couldn't hold on.)

But in the next sequence, Sanchez delivered the longest completion of the afternoon, a 48-yard touchdown pass to veteran receiver Victor Cruz.

"The play was designed for me to go across the middle to split the two safeties," Cruz said. "I broke open. And Sanchez saw me. A little later than I would hope. But he saw me down the middle and I was able to get into the end zone."

Bears fans enjoy the 2017 Family Fest at Soldier Field on Aug. 5, 2017. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune) Bears fans enjoy the 2017 Family Fest at Soldier Field on Aug. 5, 2017. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune)

It's worth noting that the quarterbacks were off limits Saturday. So Sanchez's touchdown toss came with an asterisk. In real game action, outside linebacker Willie Young easily would have had a sack and likely a forced fumble. But hey, that's just a technicality.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Cruz said with a smile. "I caught the football and got in the end zone. I don't know what you're talking about."

As for Mitch Trubisky? The Bears' top draft pick oversaw an 11-play, 60-yard field goal drive. Trubisky threw five passes and completed three, the longest a 23-yard bullet over-the-middle to fellow rookie Tanner Gentry.

Cruz stressed the growth he's seeing in the young quarterback.

"It's his eagerness to learn," Cruz said. "He's not above the game. He doesn't feel he's entitled to anything because he was drafted so high. He's eager, young and bright-eyed and ready to learn."

Extra points: Rookie running back Tarik Cohen mixed in with all three offensive units in Saturday's scrimmage. Cohen turned six rushes into 28 yards. "I've seen enough of him to know he's a good young football player," Fox said. ... Daniel Braverman (quadriceps), Eric Kush (hamstring), Pernell McPhee (right knee) and Connor Shaw (left leg) were not in attendance Saturday. In addition, Jeremy Langford (right ankle) and Harold Jones-Quartey (right ankle) did not practice. ... The Bears will have practices Monday and Tuesday in Bourbonnais before their first exhibition Thursday night against the Broncos at Soldier Field.