CHICAGO BEARS NEWS

D'Andre Swift - On track to play this weekend Coach Matt Eberflus indicated Thursday that healthy starters (a group that would include Swift) are slated to play in Saturday's preseason contest against the Bills, Courtney Croni...

Impact Swift was among the team's key players who didn't see action in last week's Hall of Fame Game, but the 25-year-old (who spent last season with Philadelphia) is poised to make his game debut in a Chicago uniform Saturday. In his lone campaign with the Eagles, Swift logged a team (and career) high 1,049 yards to go along with five TDs on 229 carries, while adding a career-low 39 catches (on 49 targets) for 214 yards and a receiving score in 16 regular-season contests. Per Kevin Fishbainof The Athletic, Swift has demonstrated his ability as a pass-catcher over the past few weeks in practice, and it's plausible that the 2020 second-rounder could see an uptick in catches this coming season, while leading a backfield that also includes Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Caleb Williams will get his first preseason action against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday

The Chicago Bears will use their starters in Saturday's preseason game at Buffalo, which means the first NFL action for quarterback Caleb Williams

AUGUST 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Caleb Williams, Josh Allen, other starters will play in Bears-Bills preseason game

Caleb Williams will make his Bears preseason debut Saturday, among several high-profile NFL QBs playing this weekend.

AUGUST 8

5 NFL coaches under most pressure in 2024: How hot is Mike McCarthy's seat?

These five NFL head coaches — including a trio from the NFC East — are facing immense pressure to deliver big results this season.

AUGUST 8

Caleb Williams - Set for preseason debut Williams and the Bears' starters will suit up for Saturday's road preseason matchup against the Bills, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Williams and key starters for Chicago were kept on the sidelines of the Hall of Fame Game last Thursday, but the rookie No. 1 overall pick is in line to handle the first snaps of his NFL career in Buffalo on Saturday. Coach Matt Eberflus said Williams and the first-team offense will be fielded for a "range" of designated plays, but declined to offer a tangible estimate for how many series the starters will handle. Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien and Austin Reed will be in line for reps under center after Williams has taken his allotment of snaps.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Foles announces retirement from NFL after 11 seasons

Nick Foles, who memorably led the Eagles to an upset Super Bowl win in 2018, announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday.

AUGUST 8

Bears 'Hard Knocks' recap: Nick Saban, Simone Biles guest star, but focus on Caleb Williams

Nick Saban gave Matt Eberflus, a former player of his, some tips on how to manage expectations and develop Caleb Williams on "Hard Knocks."

AUGUST 7

Bears safety Jonathan Owens returns from watching 'warrior' wife Simone Biles at Paris Olympics

Bears safety Jonathan Owens is back at practice after being given a leave from the team to watch his wife, Simone Biles, win gold at the Par...

AUGUST 7

Dante Pettis - Likely battling for rotational work After missing the 2023 season with a back injury, Pettis is likely battling for a depth role in the Chicago offense.

Impact In 2022 with the Bears, Pettis posted 245 yards and three touchdowns, which represented his best season since 2018. Unlike previous Bears' teams, Chicago now has a strong trio of wide receivers in DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze. As a result, Pettis will likely be battling for a roster spot against Tyler Scott, Velus Jones, DeAndre Carter and others.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Jonathan Owens - Could be rotational player Owens is likely to be Chicago's second-string free safety behind Kevin Byard after both players were signed to contracts in March.

Impact After the Bears signed Byard to a two-year, $15 million contract, it would seem likely that Owens will back up Byard at free safety. Should Owens move into a regular role at some point, he could have significant IDP value after averaging 105 tackles over the past two seasons.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Byard III - In line to start at free safety The Bears signed Byard to a two-year deal in March with the likely intention of replacing Eddie Jackson, whom the Bears released in February.

Impact Between played with Titans and Eagles last season, The veteran recorded a career-high 122 tackles in 16 games. Heading into his age-31 season in 2024 and averaging over 100 tackles since 2020, Byard should be in line to continue piling up solid tackle totals, making him a valuable IDP option.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Jaylon Johnson - Top cornerback in Chicago Johnson had a career year in 2023 with four picks while recording 36 tackles, a touchdown and a forced fumble. The Bears then signed the cornerback to a four-year deal in March.

Impact Johnson is being counted on to be the Bears' top coverage cornerback on the outside. The main concern with the veteran is missed time. Johnson has missed at least two games in each of his four seasons. In total, he has missed 14 games since 2020. Johnson has averaged 2.84 tackles over the past two seasons. Unless he can improve on those tackle totals, Johnson will remain a low-ceiling IDP.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Jack Sanborn - Listed as starting linebacker Sanborn is listed at the starting outside linebacker ahead of Noah Sewell.

Impact After last year's Week 13 bye, Sanborn played fewer than 20 percent of the snaps in each contest. Prior to that time, the linebacker had a number of games in which he played elevated snaps when Chicago dealt with linebacker injuries. Since 2022, when Sanborn has called upon to start, he has compiled high tackle totals, making him an excellent IDP in those cases. If the veteran can hold off Sewell for the starting role, Sanborn could be a sneaky IDP option.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Khari Blasingame - Expect light usage Blasingame carried the football eight times last year, giving him 11 rushing attempts over his five-year career.

Impact In 2023, Blasingame handled all eight of his rushing attempts in a game in which the Bears suffered multiple injuries at running back. The fullback is a solid blocker, but there are no indications that the veteran will be in position to have any level of carries or targets in 2024.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Andrew Billings - Rotational role expected Billings recorded 27 tackles over 17 games in his first season with the Bears and will likely continue in a part-time role in 2024.

Impact Billings played between 25 and 35 snaps in all but four games. There were only three occasions in which the veteran surpassed two tackles. With second-year players Gervon Dexter and Zaach Pickens possibly taking a step forward, it's possible that Billings could see a slight dip in snaps. That would make the low-floor IDP value of Billings even lower.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

DeMarcus Walker - Possible improved situation Walker recorded at least half a sack in three of Chicago's last four games and will have a full season playing across from Montez Sweat.

Impact During his first year with the Bears, Walker posted just 3.5 sacks. The pass rusher was coming breakout season with Tennessee in 2022 with seven sacks. However, last year after the Week 13 bye, Walker recorded a partial sack in all but one game. That success likely had to do with Montez Sweat becoming a focal point for opposing offenses. In IDP leagues that give boosted scoring for sacks, it's possible the veteran continues his late-season success in 2024.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Montez Sweat - Enters first full year in Chicago Sweat had a career year in 2023 with 12.5 sacks and will look to build on that total after a full offseason with the Bears.

Impact Sweat was sent from Washington to Chicago in a mid-season trade last year, and he was a dominant pass rusher the entire season. The Bears signed their pass rusher through 2027, and Sweat should remain an excellent IDP in the emerging Chicago defense led by excellent defensive coach Matt Eberflus.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Kyler Gordon - Expected to be primary slot corner Gordon played as the third cornerback behind Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson last year, and will likely retain a similar role in 2024.

Impact After Gordon played 823 snaps as a rookie, Gordon was moved into the No.3 role, resulting in a drop to 623 snaps. With the expectation of a similar snap share this season, Gordon's IDP value will likely be capped due to playing time.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Tyrique Stevenson - Expected to retain starting role Stevenson is projected to be the starting outside cornerback for the Bears, playing across from Jaylon Johnson.

Impact After Chicago selected Stevenson in the second round of the 2023 draft, he moved right into a full-time role. Although Stevenson recorded at least six tackles in five of his first eight games, he didn't have another game with more than five tackles until Week 18. It is possible the cornerback continues to improve in his second year, and if that happens, Stevenson may become a more more consistent IDP option.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE