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Bears Dominate Browns 34-10 in Preseason Opener — Melanin News | Melanin
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Bears Dominate Browns 34-10 in Preseason OpenerSports

Bears Dominate Browns 34-10 in Preseason Opener

2w ago

The Chicago Bears made a definitive statement in their 2026 preseason debut, routing the Cleveland Browns 34-10. The victory at Soldier Field on Saturday, August 15, 2026, showcased a significant comeback, with the Bears scoring 34 unanswered points after initially falling behind by ten.

While many of Chicago's established starters watched from the sidelines, the exhibition served as a high-stakes audition. Players across the roster battled for positions, aiming to secure a spot on the 53-man roster or a coveted starting role. The game's narrative shifted dramatically after the Browns' early lead, giving coaches ample material for evaluation.

Soldier Field
Soldier Field Source

Cleveland initially jumped ahead, with quarterback Deshaun Watson starting and completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards, earning a 98.2 passer rating before exiting at halftime. Their early scoring included a 50-yard field goal from Andre Szmyt in the first quarter, followed by a 14-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Isaiah Bond early in the second, giving the Browns a 10-0 advantage. Defensively, Julian Okwara secured Cleveland's first preseason sack against Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent, and Michael Coats Jr. intercepted Bagent with a diving catch.

However, the tide turned dramatically. Chicago's scoring barrage began when Tyson Bagent connected with wide receiver Maurice Alexander for a 25-yard touchdown, following a Bears fumble recovery on a fourth-and-two play by Watson. Kicker Cairo Santos then tied the game at 10-10 with a clutch 51-yard field goal as the first half expired. That kick was set up by two 21-yard completions from Bagent to undrafted rookie wide receiver Kaden Davis. Davis had a standout performance, catching four passes for 81 yards in the first half, including a 41-yard reception, and finished with 88 yards on four receptions.

The Bears seized the lead early in the second half. Running back Salvon Ahmed broke two tackles and weaved his way across the field for a 49-yard touchdown reception on a screen pass from quarterback Case Keenum. Keenum, a veteran, proved exceptionally effective, completing 9 of 10 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns, achieving a perfect 158.3 passer rating. He also delivered key completions to tight end Stephen Carlson for 11 yards and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III for gains of 13 and 28 yards.

Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears Source

Chicago's lead expanded to 27-10 after another 49-yard field goal by Santos, a score initiated by a 21-yard interception return from second-year cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. Bishop Jr. had a stellar second half, recording two interceptions in total, picking off both Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. The Bears capped off their scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run by Coleman Bennett with 2:38 left in the game. Defensive end Jamree Kromah also contributed significantly with a strip-sack in the first half.

Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson expressed satisfaction with his team's execution, particularly commending their discipline, physicality, and attention to detail. "Proud of our guys and how they played," Johnson stated. "We talked about being disciplined in all three phases and we saw two penalties on the day. We haven't had a practice yet where we've had that few fouls, so that was really encouraging to see. They took that to heart." Despite the offensive explosion, Johnson acknowledged areas for refinement, noting, "I felt like our quarterback got hit more than I would like. We'll look at why that was the case. And then running game-wise it was a little bit spotty as well." The Bears incurred only two penalties for 10 yards—a defensive holding call on Malik Muhammad II and a false start on Qadir Ismail—while the Browns were flagged five times for 42 yards.

For the Browns, quarterback Shedeur Sanders played through the third quarter and into the fourth, completing 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards before throwing an interception. Dillon Gabriel also threw an interception during his time on the field. Defensive end Khordae Sydnor added an 11-yard sack against Bagent to Cleveland's defensive efforts.

Preseason games are a critical component of the NFL calendar, serving as the primary evaluation period for teams as they pare down their 90-man rosters to the final 53 before the regular season. For many players, especially undrafted rookies and those on the roster bubble, these exhibition contests are high-stakes opportunities to prove their worth for an active roster spot or a place on the practice squad. Coaches leverage these games to assess how players perform against outside competition, solidify depth charts, and acclimate first-year players to the rigorous NFL environment. While the final scores of preseason matchups are generally not indicative of regular-season success, the individual performances within them are paramount for players fighting to continue their professional careers.

Soldier Field, the historic venue for this matchup, has been the home of the Chicago Bears since 1971. Known as the NFL's oldest stadium, much of its current infrastructure was updated during a major reconstruction completed in the early 2000s. The Bears' 2026 preseason schedule continues with road games against the Cincinnati Bengals on August 22 and the Tennessee Titans on August 29, leading up to their regular season opener on September 13 against the Carolina Panthers. The Browns will host the Buffalo Bills on August 22 and the New England Patriots on August 27 in their remaining preseason matchups.