The [Bears](https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears) got their first real look at their rookie class Sunday — most of it, anyway — in the preseason opener against the Dolphins, and it was a promising progress report.
They played against backups most of the game, [which ended in a 24-24 tie](https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/08/10/bears-dolphins-pregame-opener-soldier-field-ben-johnson-tyson-bagent-nfl), so there’s only so much that can be extracted from that. Sure rookie left tackle Ozzy Trapilo can manage the Dolphins’ second- and third-stringers, but how would he do against Pro Bowl pass rushers like the Vikings’ Jonathan Greenard and the Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson the first two weeks of the season?
Nonetheless, it was a good sign for the Bears that their rookies didn’t look overwhelmed or out of place in their first game action. Tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden III, running back Kyle Monangai, linebacker Ruben Hyppolite and offensive lineman Luke Newman all started, and Trapilo stepped in for Braxton Jones shortly before halftime.
While Trapilo pushes for a starting job, all eyes are on the Bears’ top two picks — Loveland at 10th overall and Burden in the second round at No. 39 — under new coach Ben Johnson. The team already had veterans at both spots with tight end Cole Kmet and No. 1 receiver DJ Moore, but Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles targeted those positions for additions.
There typically is a prolonged acclimation period for rookie tight ends, so Kmet figures to be more of a factor in the passing game this season, but Johnson is eager for Loveland to catch up so he can use them in tandem.
Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent went to Loveland as a safety valve on third-and-16 on the opening drive. Loveland released from his block and caught the ball just behind the line of scrimmage, then charged ahead for eight yards on his only reception.
Loveland was one of just three first-stringers to play, along with Jones and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.
On Johnson’s depth chart, he lists two starting wide receivers instead of the usual three, allowing for two starting tight ends. As Lions offensive coordinator, He played two tight ends 35% of the time, third-most in the NFL.
Loveland appears to have made up for the offseason practices he missed and gotten himself up to speed. It’s been a little tougher for Burden, who was out not only for offseason practices but the start of training camp last month.
There were a couple moments in which he seemed unsure where to line up, but he caught a 16- and 13-yard pass from Bagent in the first half and his speed stood out. He beat the Dolphins’ coverage on a third-down play early, but Bagent’s pass was behind him and got broken up.
The 13-yard catch by Burden was his most impressive play of the day. He got the Bears in kicking range and zipped out of bounds with one second left to leave time for Cairo Santos’ 57-yard field goal.
Monangai ran six times for 30 yards with a long of 13 and worked at kick returner.
Johnson pulled Jones in favor of Trapilo with 1:40 left in the second quarter as the Bears hustled through their two-minute offense. Their first try ended with Bagent throwing an interception, but they got another shot at it in the final seconds and set up a 57-yard field goal by Cairo Santos.
The battle for left tackle is down to Trapilo and Jones as Kiran Amegadjie recovers from a leg injury. Those were the favorites to begin with, and whoever doesn’t win the starting job likely will be the swing tackle off the bench.
Hyppolite is third-string on the depth chart, but started alongside veterans Amen Ogbongbemiga and Noah Sewell. The Bears aren’t likely to play three linebackers often, but Hyppolite is in the mix for the strong-side spot.
The Bears’ other second-round pick, defensive lineman Shemar Turner, has been out since hurting his ankle July 23 in the first practice. Cornerback Zah Frazier, a fifth-round pick, has been absent throughout because of a personal issue.