The Bears are in for their biggest challenge of the offseason Friday when the Bills visit for a joint practice at Halas Hall ahead of their preseason game Sunday. That’s a lot different for the defense than facing its own offense or what they saw from the Dolphins last week.This will be an up-close look at where coach Ben Johnson hopes to take the Bears. The Bills have made the playoffs six seasons in a row — something the Bears have never done—and led the Chiefs in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game.“You talk about a team that is a perennial Super Bowl contender right now — really good talent,” Johnson said. “It’ll be a good measure for where we’re at as a unit.”Over the last six seasons, the Bills have had the second-best record in the NFL, while the Bears have been fifth-worst. Their rise has coincided with that of Josh Allen, who distinguished himself as by far the best quarterback of the overhyped and underwhelming 2018 draft class.Allen threw more interceptions than touchdowns as a rookie, but showed tremendous potential with his decisiveness and ability to plow through defenders as a bruising runner. He was an MVP candidate by Year 3 and won the award over Lamar Jackson and Saquon Barkley last season.“Did he win MVP last year?” safety Jaquan Brisker asked, surprised.It’ll be a good time to pay closer attention — for all of the Bears.The Bills were second in scoring last season, just behind Johnson’s Lions, and 10th in defense. They’re the No. 3 favorite to win the championship this season, behind the Eagles and Ravens.They’re known as one of the toughest, most physical teams in the league, so the Bears are unlikely to catch them off guard with their intensity the way they did against the Dolphins a week earlier.The Bears’ defensive line, which has been outstanding in training camp, will take on a multilayered challenge:- The Bills have the No. 3 offensive line in Pro Football Focus’ preseason rankings, and that unit includes Pro Bowl selections in left tackle Dion Dawkins and center Connor McGovern.- They were eighth in rushing last season, and two-time Pro Bowl running back James Cook ended his hold-in this week after signing a four-year, $48 million contract extension.- Allen has a quick release and doesn’t hang around long in the pocket.The joint session Friday might be the Bears’ only look at Allen. Bills coach Sean McDermott hasn’t clarified his plans for the preseason game, and Allen played sparingly in the preseason a year ago.“I’m in a good spot,” Allen said this week. “Going and practicing against somebody... those are good reps to get. So, no, I don’t think I need preseason reps.”Allen didn’t play in the Bills’ preseason opener last week, leaving former Bears first-round pick Mitch Trubisky to start. Trubisky will make his return to Halas Hall on Friday and is expected to talk to reporters.The best thing the Bears can get out of the joint practice and game against the Bills, as Johnson said, is a clear grasp of where they stand and how ready they are for the Sept. 8 opener against the Vikings.The defense has looked good for weeks, but hasn’t seen a test like this. Quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense have been struggling, but a streamlined, opponent-specific game plan against a team that isn’t deeply familiar with his tendencies might open things up. Either way, it’s good timing and circumstances for the Bears to get an accurate look about what still needs to be fixed.
The differences in opinion about Williams is documented in Seth Wickersham’s book, “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback,” which will be released Sept. 9, one day after the Bears’ season opener against the Vikings.
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Theo Benedet played with the starters at left tackle for a few snaps Wednesday.
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That group includes veteran backup quarterback Case Keenum, who is competing for a roster spot while also mentoring the young quarterback.
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