Backup defenders struggled early and a missed defensive stop sealed the defeat as Tennessee looks toward final roster cuts following a mixed preseason finale in Chicago.
The Tennessee Titans played their final preseason game of the year on Saturday night.
Under head coach Robert Saleh, the Titans have been playing their starters frequently. That wasn't the case on Saturday.
Insider Jim Wyatt shared that most of the starters wouldn't be playing in the game. Saleh was happy with the effort the team showed in Thursday's joint practice with the Chicago Bears.
Cam Ward wasn't the starting quarterback, as Will Levis began the game for the Titans.
The Titans' first drive of the game was a three-and-out. Then, the defense made a critical error.
Backups were in the game on defense, and cornerback Keydrain Calligan let Zavion Thomas slip behind him for a 97-yard touchdown. For reference, Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent dropped back and made the throw from his own end zone.
The offense showed glimpses, but we got more of the same from them. The Titans weren't able to capitalize when they got on the Bears' side of the field and hit multiple field goals in the first half.
Luckily, Joey Slye was still automatic, continuing his perfect streak of field goal makes in the preseason.
The Titans went into halftime down 14-9 after another Bears touchdown and three field goals from Slye in the first half.
After forcing a punt on the Bears' opening possession of the second half, Chicago found the end zone on the very next drive to make it 21-9. The Titans weren't able to get in Slye's range and put up zero points in the third quarter.
Chicago added another field goal to make it 24-9, but then Hendon Hooker came in, and the offense started to move.
Hooker and former undrafted free agent Xavier Restrepo started to form a connection. The Titans eventually got inside the Bears' 10-yard line and gave it to D'Ernest Johnson for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 24-15.
Johnson hit the infamous "Choppa City" celebration in honor of former Titans running back Chris Johnson.
The Bears got the ball with under four minutes to go and did what they do best. Chicago ran the ball and drained the rest of the clock. The Titans needed a big stop to keep the game going but were unable to keep the Bears from picking up first downs.
The Titans end the preseason with big roster decisions to make. Saleh's first preseason as head coach of the Titans is about to come to an end.
The NFL roster cut deadline awaits the Titans next.
