The Chicago Bears’ preseason gets underway on Sunday as they take on the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field, but will Caleb Williams play?
Williams’ every rep has been under scrutiny during training camp at Halas Hall as he looks to blossom under new head coach Ben Johnson.
Even with the work he’s put in and the Bears only having three preseason games this season, Williams and other Bears starters will not be on the field Sunday to take on the Dolphins.
Instead, backup quarterback Tyson Bagent will get the start for the Bears, though its unclear which of his teammates he’ll have with him as the game gets underway at noon.
During a media session at Halas Hall this week, Johnson was coy about Williams’ playing status for the remaining preseason games against the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.
“I would suspect that we will have them play at some point, but that’s to be determined,” he said.
During his weekly availability, Williams was also asked about the topic, and whether he’s spoken to Johnson about his playing time during the preseason.
“I do not (have any insight). I haven’t talked to Ben yet about it,” he had said Thursday. “Exactly what he wants and whatever he dials up and wants us to do is exactly what we’re going to do.”
Williams did say that he would like to get reps during the preseason rather than getting his first live reps in Johnson’s system during the regular season, but it’s unclear how much playing time he’ll get.
Williams started all 17 games as a rookie last season, with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions on 562 passing attempts. He threw for 3,541 yards and rushed for 489 more.
His final game of the season was perhaps the most memorable, as he threw for 148 yards and a touchdown as the Bears stunned the Green Bay Packers on a last-second field goal at Lambeau Field to snap a long losing streak against their bitter rivals. The Bears and Dolphins will kick things off at noon