Game Recap: Bagent impresses as Bears, Dolphins play to preseason tie

David Banks - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese · Senior Writer · 16 hours ago

CHICAGO - Although it may not have been a win, it also wasn't a loss as the Ben Johnson era in Chicago begins with a 24-24 tie against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field. While they always say ties are like kissing your sister, the good news is that ties in the preseason don't count for or against you, as preseason is the time for teams to make mistakes.

In what was expected to be a sloppy game throughout, with most of the Bears' reserves seeing time on the field, there were some strong performances worth noting, including that of backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, who is battling Case Keenum for the backup role this season. Bagent has impressed throughout training camp, and with 103 yards passing on 13-19, he made a lasting impression in the Bears' preseason opener, even if it wasn't perfect.

Given how the Bears started offensively with two consecutive three-and-outs, things weren't looking good early as the Dolphins' offense had their way with the defense throughout the first half. Unlike the Bears, who sat most of their starters, the Dolphins rolled out their first-team offense, and they moved the ball at well throughout the first half, only to turn the ball over on downs on their first possession.

It was their second possession of the game when the scoring started as Zach Wilson entered the game in place of Tua Tagovailoa and began to lead the offense in a big way. After opening up the drive with a big hookup to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, the Dolphins continued to move the chains as several short-yardage plays moved the ball inside the five, only to have Alexander Mattison finish things off from the one-yard line to put the Dolphins on top 7-0.

Not to be outdone, the Bears started to settle in after their slow start and used a massive 15-play drive that took nearly 10 minutes to tie things up 7-7. Kyle Monangai played a massive role in that drive, touching the ball seven times and picking up 35 yards as he continues to impress on the field. That opened the door for Bagent to not only use his legs, but to use his arm as he hooked up with Devin Duvernay for a 17-yard strike to move the ball inside the Dolphins' 40.

Bagent was just getting started as he found Maurice Alexander from four yards out to make this a 7-7 game. Miami didn't waste any time getting back to he basics with Wilson finding Tahj Washington for 34 yards as the ball was inside the Bears' 25-yard line. Wilson continued to deliver clutch throws throughout the drive, only to have Jaylen Wright close things out from seven yards to put the Dolphins back on top 14-7.

What was looking to be another promising drive immediately after, stalled in the end as Bagent was intercepted at the Dolphins 34 before watching the ball get returned 20 yards back into Bears territory. Fortunately for Chicago, their defense stepped up when they had to, forcing another turnover on downs with less than a minute to go as the Bears managed to deliver a late 57-yard field goal from Cairo Santos to pull within 14-10 at the break.

Hoping that field goal would be all the momentum they would need, it was a very ugly start to the second half for both sides as three punts and a turnover on downs was the result of the first four possessions, forcing the defense to continue to do their job. Not only was that the case, but the Bears came away with their first big play on defense midway through the third as Austin Booker got through for his second sack of the day, forcing a fumble by Wilson to give the ball back to the Bears' offense.

Three plays later, and it was the Bears grabbing their first lead of the game as Keenum found Deion Hankins from four yards out to make this a 17-14 game. Not only did the Dolphins respond, but they did so without much resistance as a 21-yard burst from Ollie Gordon moved the ball into Bears territory and set things up for Quinn Ewers and the Dolphins offense.

It didn't come easily from that point on as Gordon touched the ball six of the next seven plays with his final touch resulting in a one-yard score that put Miami back in front 21-17. The back-and-forth affair continued on the Bears' next possession as they were once again playing from behind and trying to at the very least pull a bit closer.

Having a roughing the passer penalty start the drive certainly helped, but so did Ian Wheeler taking it upon himself to carry the ball on three consecutive plays, picking up 17 yards. That opened the door for Keenum and the passing game as he found Jahdae Walker for his second touchdown pass of the game from 15 yards out as the Bears were back in front 24-21. Those were the final points of the day for Chicago, as it was going to come down to their defense to finish things off.

As good as things were offensively for the Bears throughout the game, it was their special teams coverage that lacked with AJ Henning returning the ensuing kick 38 yards before coming down with a big first down reception shortly after. Eventually, the Bears defense did what they had to do to toughen up as Miami settled for the 56-yard Jason Sanders field goal that brought things back to even 24-24.

Those were the final points of the game for either side as the Bears touched the ball two more times, resulting in a pair of turnovers on downs, while the Dolphins fumbled on their second-to-last possession, only to have time expire at the end. Bagent led all passers with 103 yards while Wilson and Ewers combined for 187 yards between them.

Chicago also saw Monangai pace the rushing attack with 30 yards while Walker came away with 41 yards on three receptions, one resulting in a touchdown.