Jeff Hughes | August 25th, 2018

Twitter exploded with the news that Matt Nagy was putting his entire roster on the bench. Hell, even Josh Bellamy got the afternoon off. But who types primarily with his middle fingers and is happier than a clam about the news? This guy.

Matt Nagy’s decision to sit the bulk of his starting lineup isn’t bold or brilliant. It’s practical. He’d rather his first units be a little bit rusty on opening night than be without any of their best players. Even this idea is kind of kooky because the Bears are still fifteen days from their first real game. How could 25 snaps in the preseason carryover for half a month? That’s not how football works.

Why is Nick Kwiatkoski starting? Perhaps because he’s not the starting ILB? Kwik has had a good summer but he’s simply not in the same athletic stratosphere as Roquan Smith. Expect the Bears to spend the next two weeks getting their number one pick ready for Green Bay.

Marlon Brown’s downfield block was the key to the opening drive Benny Cunningham TD. And it continues Brown’s strong summer. Hate to make everything about Kevin White but it just feels like his relevance is sliding continually as players like Brown show versatility.

Chase Daniel has really gotten better each time I’ve seen him this preseason. Looks poised. But his legs were damn impressive against Kansas City’s first-team defense.

Kylie Fitts has found himself one-on-one with the opposing quarterback, in the backfield, several times this preseason. The QB has escaped each time. That Fitts is in position to make big plays is a good thing. That he’s not making will land him on the practice squad. (Update: Later in the game, against some QB I’ve never heard of, Fitts finished a play.)

It’s hard to put labels on the Bears’ running backs because they don’t serve traditional roles. But Benny Cunningham seems the ideal third-down back for Matt Nagy’s offense because he’s incredible in the screen game.

Not sure what to write about Javon Wims other than he should be on this roster. And not on the practice squad. On the fifty-three. He can play in the NFL. And the rest of the league already knows that.

What’s remarkable is how deep and talented the team’s wide receiver pool has gotten in one off-season. And the Bears have barely shown Robinson or Gabriel to this point. This has a chance to be the league’s most improved unit.

The RRH / Jon Bullard debate seems like a waste of time. Neither strikes me as a particularly good player. But they’ll have opportunities when the games count because the other two linemen are elite-level talents.

“Throwing deep to Kevin White” should be a euphemism for cocaine use.

Sherrick McManis playing in the fourth quarter of a practice game is plain old disrespect for special teams. McManis is one of the best in the business at covering kicks. Deserves the same recognition as other starts.

Why did the players with zero chance of playing have to wear their pads on the sideline? Seems silly.

Hroniss Grasu is Ryan Pace’s worst draft pick.

John Franklin III just made one of the worst plays by a safety I’ve ever seen, allowing the Chiefs to get within seven. I had never heard of John Franklin III until I searched the Bears roster on their site and determined who number 43 was.

It’s Packers Fortnight.