Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johson has yet to announce if his starters will play this Saturday against the Cleveland Browns in their preseason opener. Last year, he did play Caleb Williams and many staters in weeks two and three, but that was year one of the scheme, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens this season.
Do you like the idea of playing most starters in the preseason?
I asked our WCG staff that question, and here’s what we had to say.
TJ Starman: I’d say that I am in favor of playing
most starters, yes. The question is ultimately about how much you play them, but not playing starters at all seems like a mistake to me, and that’s something we may have seen in Chicago as recently as the Nagy era. Guys like Joe Thuney and Grady Jarrett don’t need to be out there, but giving the rest of your starters some chemistry reps seems like the best practice at this point.
Josh Sunderbruch: I think they need limited reps, so a series or two, and I think the majority of playing time should be for players who are on the bubble or in transition on their roster status (undecided between a 2s and 3s, for example).
Sam Householder: Like all things training camp and preseason, everyone fears injuries, but you can’t get better at football without playing football. I think reps here outweigh the concerns. Especially when you see offensive line play, and often some entire offensive or defensive units struggle in September. The Bears had a slow start last year, but can’t have that again with a tough division and schedule this year. To the question, though, do I like it? Not really, but I get the necessity of it.
Mongo Peanut: Absolutely. Injuries this offseason aside, Ben Johnson’s approach to the preseason should be enough for fans to be confident in starters playing. These reps will help the Bears prepare for lots of real game situations, which were crucial to their success last year.
Jeff Berckes: Football is a dangerous sport, and it always feels extra frustrating when a starter sustains an injury during the preseason. However, these practice games are important for getting into a rhythm for the season, and I think the starters should be ramping up to playing through at least a half of football. The rest of the time should help shape the back end of the roster.
ECD: I actually do like playing the starters during preseason. If nothing more than to knock off some of the rust and begin to gel with the new pieces added to all phases of the ball. I’m not advocating for them to play more than a half at any time. Yet it’s also never a good idea to enter week one ice-cold from the shelf.
Donald Gooch: No. I do not like the idea of playing most starters in the preseason. I understand all the “players need reps” arguments – but they need to get those in practices (particularly joint practices with another team). Preseason games feature vanilla schemes and desperate marginal players trying to make the team. The number one priority in preseason is to exit the preseason with no major injuries to key starters. Sit ‘em.
Gary Baugher Jr.: I used to be a big fan of seeing starters in the preseason, for a half in games 2-3 (back when there were 4), but as I’ve aged, I have put overall team health ahead of everything else. I still think it’s important to get at least 2 quarters of action out of your #1’s in preseason, but beyond that, I’m good.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: I liked the Bears’ approach last year in letting most starters sit the first game, and playing most of the ones for weeks two and three. That said, if I’m really being honest, I’m not especially passionate one way or the other. Play the starters; don’t play the starters. Ben Johnson will do what he feels is best for the team in that moment.
Last week, one of SB Nation’s national Reacts survey questions was “How much should starters play?” and logic won out with 39% saying as much as they need!
Do you like the idea of playing most starters in the preseason? Sound off in the comment section!
