The [Bears](https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears) probably couldn’t have designed their preseason schedule better than it happened to fall for them. They began with a joint practice and game against the Dolphins, then the same with the Bills and now they get a legitimate game at the Chiefs on Friday as both teams have said they plan to play starters.
The Chiefs have been the class of the NFL ever since Patrick Mahomes stepped in as their quarterback in 2018. The Bears bypassed him in the 2017 draft in favor of taking Mitch Trubisky No. 2 overall, if you haven’t heard.
In the Mahomes era, the Chiefs have won three Super Bowls, played in two others and gone 90-26 in the regular season. That’s 12 games better than the next-best team and miles ahead of the Bears at 49-67.
If the Bears want to know where they really stand at this stage, this is a great way to find out. Here are four things to watch as they finish the preseason:
**1\. Real test for defense**
The Bears caught quite a break when Chiefs coach Andy Reid decided to play his starters, because it created the opportunity for the defense to get significant work. Even if the Chiefs use a stripped-down game plan, these will be quality snaps against Mahomes, Jason Kelce and Isiah Pacheco.
The Bears looked strong in joint practices against the Dolphins and Bills, picking off Tua Tagovailoa and Josh Allen regularly, but this will be a level up.
That said, the Bears won’t be at full strength. Top cornerback Jaylon Johnson is still working toward a Week 1 return, and nickel Kyler Gordon is just ramping up after missing time. At defensive tackle, veteran Grady Jarrett probably won’t play, and Gervon Dexter is in question after hurting his right leg Wednesday.
**2\. Help wanted at running back?**
The Bears have to be considering calling the Commanders about running back Brian Robinson Jr., who is available for trade and would be a quality pickup at 26 and coming off a career year. He rushed for 799 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
They were in the market for help at running back already, given the steep dropoff on the roster after D’Andre Swift, and the need has grown amid injuries to all three backups: Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai and Travis Homer.
General manager Ryan Poles will be tracking other teams’ cuts heading into the deadline Tuesday, but in the meantime, Ian Wheeler, Brittain Brown and newcomer Royce Freeman will get auditions Friday.
**3\. Finalizing left tackle**
The left tackle competition seems to be settled, at least for the opener. After a camp-long battle between Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie, plus the recent entry of Theo Benedet, Jones looks like he’ll be the guy Sept. 8 against the Vikings and presumably through Week 4.
That’s not because Jones delivered a decisive and convincing performance. All four tackles have struggled. He simply has struggled the least and has the advantage of 40 NFL starts compared to just one by the other three candidates combined.
While Jones has the spot for now, coach Ben Johnson hinted there could be a reassessment when the Bears hit their bye week in early October. Regardless of it being preseason, his play Friday will factor into Johnson’s evaluation.
**4\. Checking Santos’ range**
Bears kicker Cairo Santos likes to do everything the hard way. He started and saved his career by succeeding in two of the most challenging kicking venues in the NFL: Arrowhead Stadium and Soldier Field.
Santos played for the Chiefs from 2014 through ’17 and has made 79.6% of his field goals at Arrowhead over his career. He’s the most accurate kicker in the history of Soldier Field at 89.7%.
[He came into this season looking to extend his range](https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/08/07/bears-k-cairo-santos-relationship-with-soldier-field-made-all-the-difference-in-a-career-once-feared-lost) and already showed some promise in that area by hitting a 57-yard field goal at home in the preseason opener against the Dolphins. It’d be ideal for the Bears to get him one or two chances from 50-plus yards Friday as well.