Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looks to pass during the first half of a preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

CHICAGO (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa saw the value in playing a series in Sunday’s preseason opener even if it didn’t end the way he would have liked.

The game itself didn’t end the way Miami or the Chicago Bears would have liked.

Tagovailoa had an efficient start to the preseason Sunday and the Dolphins and the Bears finished in a 24-24 tie in Ben Johnson’s Chicago coaching debut.

Playing in a preseason opener for the first time since 2021, Tagovailoa completed 5 of 6 for 27 yards in a 15-play drive against Bears backups, but the Dolphins failed to score on their first drive because of a Bears goal-line stand.

“I would say first off it’s important for any of the starters to be able to get some play time before the actual season starts,” Tagovailoa said.

Running back Jaylen Wright was stuffed by Bears linebacker Noah Sewell on fourth-and-goal from the 1 to end the first drive. He later scored on a 7-yard run late in the first half.

Miami backup quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers directed three touchdown drives and Jason Sanders made a 56-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

Bears kicker Cairo Santos has roster competition from former Michigan State kicker Jonathan Kim. However, it was Santos connecting from long distance in this game as he hit a 57-yarder to close the first half and draw the Bears within 14-10.

In Minneapolis, J.J. McCarthy was solid in his brief return for the Vikings, going 4 of 7 for 30 yards while leading a scoring drive in his only series and Minnesota topped the Houston Texans 20-10 on Saturday in the teams’ preseason opener.

McCarthy, who missed all of his rookie season after tearing the meniscus in his right knee in last year’s first preseason game, took the field to a rousing ovation from the home crowd.