Bears and Dolphins to hold joint practices before their August 14 preseason game

The Athletic’s Adam Jahns reported yesterday that the Chicago Bears and the Miami Dolphins would get together for a couple of practices the week before their preseason game.

The Bears will host the Dolphins at Soldier Field on August 14 at Noon (CT) in the preseason opener for both teams, so the ‘Fins would fly to Chicago early to work-out with the Bears at Halas Hall.

Last year the Dolphins went 10-6 and narrowly missed out on a playoff spot in the tough AFC, while both their offense and defense finished 12th in Football Outsiders’ DVOA. This will be a great opportunity for Chicago’s new quarterbacks (Andy Dalton and Justin Fields) to practice against a solid defense, and for Bears new defensive coordinator Sean Desai to get some work matching up against Miami’s revamped passing attack.

The Dolphins will also hold joint practices with the Falcons the following week, so perhaps this is a trend teams will take advantage of with preseason cut to three games and offseason practices scaled back.

The Bears will host the Buffalo Bills in week two of the preseason, and so far the Bills don’t have any joint practices lined up with their week one preseason opponent, the Detroit Lions. Detroit head coach Dan Campbell has already said they won’t hold any this year, so if the Bills are looking for some extra scrimmage work the Bears could be their best bet.

What’s your take on teams having joint practices, too much a risk for injury or a necessity?