Chicago Bears: Who Will Benefit Most From Hall of Fame Game?

The preseason gets mixed reviews every year by teams including the Chicago Bears. Actual game action is a useful tool, but there’s a serious problem.

Nobody wants to potentially lose a star player in a meaningless football game. This is the harsh reality of the preseason. It’s a necessary evil. Teams need the game action to sharpen their players for the regular season and also use it to help evaluate their roster. There is risk involve. A risk many don’t want to take but to say the preseason is useless isn’t true.

For many players it’s the only game action they’re likely to see all year and it represents an opportunity to build their own personal libraries of game film. If anybody isn’t angry about the fact that the Bears will be playing a fifth preseason game in 2018, it’s them. For those who forgot, Chicago will take on the Baltimore Ravens on August 2nd in Canton, Ohio to celebrate the inductions of Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis.

The odds of any starters playing in that game? Remote. However, there are some on the Bears roster who can take huge advantage of this situation. Here are some names that could stand to benefit the most.

Ryan Nall (RB)

The Bears are strong at running back with Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen. This means the man to beat will be Benny Cunningham, and that could prove difficult given his special teams value. Ryan Nall is a strong, decisive back with the type of skills that fit the offense well. He has two avenues onto the roster. Either he shows he can be a factor on special teams or he plays lights out as a runner. This game will give him critical extra opportunities.

Tanner Gentry (WR)

Remember him? Every year the Bears fans seem to have a favorite during training camp and preseason. In 2017 that was Tanner Gentry. He showed well early on but received few opportunities on the main roster. Now his status is even murkier than before. The Bears have made a ton of new additions to the receiving corps. So much that it’s almost impossible to see Gentry making it unless he’s able to take a drastic step up in effectiveness.

Hroniss Grasu (C)

He seemed to get a reprieve when his former Oregon head coach was hired as offensive coordinator. This means Hroniss Grasu will likely be a better fit for the new scheme being installed. That said his status is far from certain. He hasn’t performed well whenever given opportunities the past couple years and is faced with steep roster competition given his lack of position versatility. He can afford few mistakes and this game will be the first step.

Kevin Toliver (CB)

Look at the array of quality undrafted corners the Bears have signed this offseason and the one who likely has the best chance to make the roster is Kevin Toliver. He was projected as high as the 3rd round this year and comes from a proven program at LSU. There’s no denying his talent but he needs to back it up with the play on the field. Given the stable roster ahead of him, this game will offer extra chances for him to show he belongs in the same room with guys like Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara.

Next: NFL Teams and Their Most Likely 2018 Award Winners

Deiondre Hall (S)

The Bears safety position has two solid starters but the depth behind them is one big question mark. A guy who remains stuck in the mud is Deiondre Hall. The former 4th round pick was asked to switch from corner to safety last year but didn’t really show much in his brief appearances. This will likely be the first time he has a chance to play significant snaps at the position. It would be great if he were able to shine given how disappointing Deon Bush has been.