The Chicago Bears entered their second preseason game having yet to see their starting offense in action. Head coach Ben Johnson opted against playing Caleb Williams and company against the Miami Dolphins, but he gave them the nod against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.
Williams played two series, leading the Bears to a touchdown on the first possession of the game.
Things were tougher in the Bears’ next offensive series, but there were also still some positives.
Bears QB Caleb Williams Leads 92-Yard TD Drive vs Bills in Preseason Debut
Caleb Williams, Bears Starting Offense Delivers
Williams’ night ended with the 2024 No. 1 overall pick completing 6-of-10 passes for 107 yards, 1 TD, and 0 interceptions. Moreover, Williams was 5-for-6 for 97 yards and the score on his first possession.
Williams found tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland and wide receiver DJ Moore on the opening drive, too.
His short pass to Olamide Zaccheaus turned into a 35-yard touchdown.
Williams said after the game that it was “very important” for the Bears’ starters to come out and deliver as they did. For Williams, even against the Bills’ backup defense, it was a fitting end to a strong week of practice, which Johnson made note of during his postgame press conference.
Williams looked as comfortable running the offense as he has since Johnson arrived. After the game, he praised his head coach for his headset decorum, noting his frequent encouragement and how beneficial that is.
Johnson said he was unsure about the plan for the Bears’ starters in the preseason finale.
They did their job on Sunday, even though it was against the Bills’ backups. The Bears will travel to face the Kansas City Chiefs. But after two weeks of joint practices and their quality start against the Bills, it would come as no surprise if Johnson decided to hold the starters out.
That is especially true after the Bears lost multiple players to injury during their win over the Bills on Sunday.
Bears Lose Multiple Players vs Bills
The Bears entered the contest down several starters who were navigating injuries, held several other veterans out, and lost even more players during the win over the Bills.
Undrafted rookie free agent Deion Hankins got the start, but he was lost to a leg injury. He was wearing a leg brace in the team’s locker room, though there is little clarity about the severity of his injury.
Cornerback Terell Smith was carted off the field after suffering a non-contact knee injury.
Defensive ends Austin Booker (knee) and Dominique Robinson (ankle) also went down during the game.
Booker, who also sported a brace in the postgame locker room, was credited with 1.0 sacks on the night. He was also in on one credited to defensive tackle Andrew Billings. The Bears later saw UDFA rookie wide receiver JP Richardson leave with an ankle issue.
All of the players who picked up injuries on Sunday are backups.
Still, it is a reminder that football is largely a battle of attrition, and the Bears are feeling it before the regular season begins.
Bears LT Battle Gets More Clarity
Johnson said that the Bears went into Sunday’s contest believing it would be pivotal in deciding who their starting left tackle would be. Braxton Jones started the game and is listed as such on the depth chart.
Johnson said they are seeing glimpses of the old Jones, but there are also low moments. The coach knows they will get beaten up front at times, but he wants Jones to be more consistent.
To that end, Theo Benedet is Jones’ only other competition at this juncture.
Rookie second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo worked as the backup right tackle behind Darnell Wright, and Kiran Amegadjie was the third left tackle. Benedet was Jones’ backup and received plenty of first-team reps in practice this past week.
If Sunday was any indication, Jones did nothing to lose his spot, and Benedet only further cemented himself as an option.
Amegadjie and Trapilo will have to work within their current situation until something changes.