NASHVILLE – With both teams resting most of their starters, the Bears closed the preseason with a decisive 24-15 victory over the Titans Saturday night in Tennessee.
Quarterback Tyson Bagent completed 16 of 17 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, including a 97-yard TD to rookie receiver Zavion Thomas on the Bears' first play from scrimmage. The defense generated five three-and-outs and did not allow a touchdown until there was 3:50 left in the fourth quarter.
The Bears have vowed to start fast in games this season — and they did just that in spectacular fashion Saturday night.
On their first play from scrimmage after the defense had forced a three-and-out, Bagent rainbowed a 97-yard touchdown pass to Thomas down the right sideline. The speedy third-round pick caught the ball at his own 32 and outraced safety Jerrick Reed II to the end zone, giving the Bears a 7-0 lead.
The Titans cut the deficit to 7-3 on Joey Slye's 28-yard field goal midway through the first quarter. Tennessee settled for the field goal after cornerback Terell Smith broke up a pass intended for receiver K.J. Osborn on third-and-5 from the 10.
On their second possession, the Bears marched to the Titans' 38. But a botched handoff between Bagent and Thomas on a jet sweep resulted in a fumble that defensive end Jacob Martin recovered. Earlier on the drive, Bagent had completed a 19-yard pass to rookie tight end Sam Roush on fourth-and-1 from the Bears' 21.
The Titans converted the takeaway into Slye's 56-yard field goal, closing the gap to 7-6 early in the second quarter. For the second straight possession, Tennessee settled for the kick after Smith broke up a third-down pass.
The Bears extended their lead to 14-6 on Bagent's 2-yard TD pass to receiver Maurice Alexander on fourth-and-goal with 4:54 left in the first half. Flushed from the pocket, Bagent backpedaled with defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes charging at him and lofted the ball into the left corner of the end zone to Alexander, who leaped high to snare it.
The 16-play, 69-yard TD drive burned 9:14 off the clock and was highlighted by three successful fourth-down conversions. Running back Roschon Johnson's 3-yard run on fourth-and-1 from the Bears 40 and Bagent's 11-yard pass to Alexander on fourth-and-2 from the Titans' 38 preceded the touchdown.
The Titans climbed to within 14-9 on Slye's third field goal, a 25-yarder, as time expired in the first half.
In the first half, Bagent posted a 156.9 passer rating while also leading the Bears in rushing with 21 yards on two carries. He was replaced by veteran Case Keenum to start the third quarter.
After the defense forced its third three-and-out of the game, the Bears increased their lead to 21-9 on Johnson's 3-yard TD run with 7:36 left in the third period. The drive was sustained by Keenum's 13-yard pass to Thomas on third-and-2 from the Titans' 30.
The defense followed with another three-and-out before the Bears widened the margin to 24-9 on Cairo Santos' 37-yard field goal late in the third quarter.
The Bears defense registered sacks on the final two plays of the third period, with end Jamree Kromah and tackle Jayden Loving dropping quarterback Hendon Hooker.
Defense is SWARMING 😤
📺: #CHIvsTEN on FOX32 pic.twitter.com/J1vEbZ5KJp
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 30, 2026
Playing the third quarter before being replaced by rookie Miller Moss, Keenum completed 7 of 13 passes for 84 yards and a 73.9 passer rating.
The Titans scored their first TD of the game on running back D'Ernest Johnson's 9-yard scamper with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter, closing the gap to 24-15. But the Bears stopped Tennessee's subsequent two-point conversion attempt.