Most Bears starters, including quarterback Caleb Williams, will not play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Browns at Soldier Field. But it's still an important game for several players. Here are six to watch:

Offense

In a perfect world, Bagent won't play any meaningful snaps this season. But just like any valuable insurance policy, it's comforting to know that the Bears have such a proficient and trustworthy backup behind Williams just in case. Coach Ben Johnson is a huge fan, having described Bagent as "phenomenal" and "smart as a whip." With Williams not missing a start in each of his first two NFL seasons, Bagent has attempted only six passes the past two years. That makes preseason reps especially important to help prepare him for possible spot duty in the regular season, like he saw as a rookie in 2023, when he won two of four starts, passing for 859 yards and three touchdowns. Bagent also has excelled in preseason action, posting passer ratings of 119.9 in 2024 and 106.6 in 2025, when he threw for 511 yards and five TDs. During last year's preseason finale in Kansas City, he turned a 27-10 fourth-quarter deficit into a 29-27 victory by engineering three straight touchdown drives of 59, 68 and 87 yards.

Walker's impressive performance last summer in training camp and the preseason earned him a spot on the Bears' 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie. Waiting patiently for a chance to contribute, he didn't make his first NFL reception until Dec. 20 when he caught two passes in a pivotal win over the Packers, including a 6-yard TD on fourth-and-4 with :24 left in regulation to force overtime. The 6-3, 206-pounder finished the season with six receptions for 87 yards and two TDs. With receiver Luther Burden III currently sidelined with an injury, Walker will likely receive even more opportunities to show he deserves expanded playing time. His chemistry with Bagent was evident last preseason, especially on the winning drive versus the Chiefs when the two connected on three passes for 37 yards, capped by a 6-yard TD with :03 to play.

Locked in a battle for the third running back spot behind D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, Ahmed has flashed in training camp and will attempt to carry that over into preseason action. He played his first four NFL seasons with the Dolphins from 2020-23 but has not appeared in a regular-season game since 2023—most recently spending all of last season on injured reserve with the Colts due to an ankle injury. Bears running backs coach Eric Studesville was Ahmed's position coach during all four of his seasons with the Dolphins, including in 2020 when he rushed for 319 yards and three TDs. Asked about his expectations for Ahmed Saturday against the Browns, Studesville said: "We want to see how he fits in this offense and does he produce plays that we give him in this offense and what we're doing? That's what all of them have to do in the preseason. That's what it's for; establishing a role for themselves, not only offensively but then special teams too … It's just maximizing your opportunities when you get them."

Defense

The Bears are hoping that Booker picks up where he left off last year, when he recorded 4.5 sacks in the final 10 games after missing the first seven contests with a knee injury he sustained in the second preseason game. The 2024 fifth-round pick heated up late in the year, registering 3.5 sacks in a three-game span in Weeks 15-17 and then adding another sack in the Bears' wild card win over Green Bay. Booker showed promise in the preseason last summer, leading the NFL with 4.0 sacks before getting hurt. Now healthy, he hopes to become an integral part of the defense's pass rush while also taking pride in his ability to stop the run. It's vital that a second pass-rushing threat emerges on the defensive line in addition to Montez Sweat, and Booker is seemingly a top candidate.

With Kyler Gordon still sidelined and Cam Lewis slowed by an injury in training camp, Muhammad should have a golden opportunity in preseason games to try to earn the top nickel back position. Asked about his expectations for Muhammad, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said: "I want to see him go out and perform. I want to see him go out and compete. I want to see him play physical in the run game. I want to see him be sticky in coverage." The Bears traded up five spots in the fourth round of this year's draft to select Muhammad. They targeted the 6-foot, 182-pounder in part because of his speed—he ran a 4.42 40 at the NFL Combine—and his length. This week, defensive backs coach Al Harris described him as a "very cerebral player" who is "extremely coachable."

The speedy 2025 fourth-round pick has recently stepped up his game in training camp and will look to transfer that playmaking ability to preseason action. In last Sunday's practice, Hyppolite produced two impact plays, both in pass coverage. First, he dropped Monangai after a short reception and later tackled second-year tight end Colston Loveland along the line of scrimmage just shy of a first down after a quick pass on fourth-and-1. In Saturday's preseason opener, Hyppolite will be given a chance to prove he deserves playing time on both defense and special teams, a crucial responsibility for all reserve linebackers.