Three takeaways from Bears vs. Browns

Thank god we’re not Cleveland Browns fans.

That’s my main takeaway from Saturday’s 34-10 Bears victory at a soggy Soldier Field, a game that didn’t offer big Bears insights but made me grateful we’re not spending any time mourning the departure of Myles Garrett or debating Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders.

Caleb Williams and many of the true difference makers for this year’s Bears team watched the game on the sidelines as Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum and Miller Moss led the Bears to 34 unanswered points after a slow start.

Ben Johnson also revealed that wide receivers and assistant coach Antwaan Randle-El called plays in the second half, an arrangement Johnson designed to get some practical experience for a deserving member of his staff.

So not only was this a game for down-roster players to showcase their skills, it turned out it was a nice opportunity for Randle-El to do the same.

Here are three other things that stood out to me …

Neither D’Andre Swift nor Kyle Monangai dressed for the game, which meant plenty of opportunities for Roschon Johnson and Salvon Ahmed.

Johnson was solid in his first-half work, carrying the ball eight times for 34 yards with a long run of 19 yards.

Ahmed’s big moment came on the first drive of the second half as he took a Keenum screen pass 49 yards to the house for a touchdown behind key blocks from rookie linemen Logan Jones and Caden Barnett. He finished the day with two carries for 17 yards and three receptions for 55.

The battle between the two will be an interesting one to watch over the next few weeks. Johnson was a fourth-round pick in 2023 who’s been unable to make any sizable impact with the Bears and his place on the team isn’t secure after struggling through an injury-riddled 2025.

Ahmed missed the entire 2025 season after a training camp ankle injury with the Colts but earned his invite to the Bears after spending time with Bears RB coach Eric Studesville in Miami.

Can either separate himself from the other in the final two preseason games? The battle is now one to watch.

We knew this, of course. One of the most beautiful things coming into Saturday’s game is that we wouldn’t have to worry about being dismayed over a first-string quarterback’s play … or elevating the second-string guy to city folk hero status.

Still, Bagent described the start as his “Super Bowl” but struggled with a 2-for-7 start which included missed and off-target throws. Though he completed 11 of his final 15 throws, Bagent started his press conference by noting the effort was “nowhere close to my standards.”

Bagent’s final line for the first half: 13-of-22 passes for 169 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

We’ll see how Bagent performs over the final two preseason games and it should be noted he wasn’t playing with five of the top six receivers, the top two tight ends and most of the offensive line.

But if he ever wants to earn a starting job in the NFL — or quell fears should Caleb get hurt — he’ll have to be better than he was against the Browns.

Safety Xavier Woods and cornerback Beanie Bishop were signed to the team last weekend to help bolster the injury-plagued secondary.

Their on-field debuts had wildly different outcomes.

Woods left Saturday’s game with a groin injury, according to Ben Johnson, who did not note the severity or length of time he might be out.

Bishop, meanwhile, intercepted two passes and could be a candidate at slot corner once he serves a three-game suspension for a violation of the league’s drug policy.

What about the game stood out to you? Jump into the Bears By 7 community to share your thoughts!