The Real Reason Caleb Williams Plays Bears Preseason Week 2
Surprise! Caleb Williams Will Play in Bears’ Preseason Game Against Bengals
What’s the Big News?
The Chicago Bears have a surprise for their second preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals: quarterback Caleb Williams is going to play!
This is unexpected because the head coach previously said he didn’t need to see Williams on the field during preseason games.
IMPORTANT POINT
Caleb Williams was the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft. He’s the team’s franchise quarterback—the most important player on offense.
Why Did the Coach Change His Mind?
Coach Ben Johnson’s Previous Stance
Before the first preseason game, Coach Johnson said:
"But do I need to see Caleb Williams in the preseason? No, I don’t."
The New Reason
Now Coach Johnson explains the change of heart:
"It will be good for him to go thru the night game routine. He’s prepared to play as long as he needs to for our offense."
Breaking It Down (ELI5 Style)
Think of it like practice for a school play:
- Joint practices = Rehearsing in the classroom
- Preseason night game = Dress rehearsal on the actual stage with lights, crowd, and real timing
- Coach wants Williams to practice the full game-day routine—warmups, waiting between series, night-time atmosphere
How Much Will Williams Play?
The Short Answer: We Don’t Know Exactly
Coach Johnson was non-committal (didn’t give a specific number) about how many snaps Williams will take.
What We Can Guess Based on History
| Situation | Snaps Played |
|---|---|
| 2025 Preseason Debut (after joint practice) | 14 snaps |
| This Game (after joint practice with Bengals) | Likely similar—around 10-15 snaps |
What "Snaps" Means (ELI5)
DEFINITION
A snap = one offensive play. When the center hikes the ball to the quarterback, that’s ONE snap.
- 14 snaps ≈ 1-2 series (a series = a group of plays until you score, punt, or turnover)
- Could be one series or a few, depending on how the offense performs
Who Else Is Playing? (And Who’s Sitting Out)
PLAYING for the Bears
Offensive Line (Protection for Williams):
- Everyone EXCEPT Joe Thuney and Ozzy Trapilo
Weapons (Players who catch passes):
- Rome Odunze (wide receiver)
- Cole Kmet (tight end)
- Colston Loveland (tight end)
- Kalif Raymond (wide receiver)
NOT PLAYING for the Bears
| Player | Position | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Luther Burden | Wide Receiver | Injury |
| D’Andre Swift | Running Back | Not injury-related (coach’s decision) |
| T.J. Edwards | Linebacker (Defense) | Resting (in street clothes) |
| Grady Jarrett | Defensive Tackle (Defense) | Resting (in street clothes) |
| Austin Booker | Defensive End (Defense) | Resting (in street clothes) |
NOTE
"In street clothes" = wearing regular clothes, not uniform. They’re watching from the sideline.
Why This Is Interesting
The Joint Practice Factor
The Bears just had joint practices with the Bengals a few days ago. Usually, teams feel those practices are enough work against the opponent. But Coach Johnson wants the real game experience for Williams.
The Routine Matters
NFL teams are creatures of habit. The "night game routine" includes:
- Pregame meal timing
- Warmup schedule
- Waiting on the sideline between series
- Adjusting to stadium lights and crowd noise
- Halftime routine
- Post-game recovery
Summary
- Surprise announcement: Caleb Williams WILL play in Preseason Week 2 vs. Bengals
- Coach flipped his stance: Previously said he didn’t need to see Williams play
- Reason: Wants Williams to practice the night game routine
- Playing time: Unknown, but likely ~14 snaps (similar to last year’s debut)
- Good news: Williams will have strong protection (most starting O-line) and top weapons (Odunze, Kmet, Loveland, Raymond)
- Key absences: Burden (injury), Swift (rest), plus three defensive starters resting
FAQ
Why is it a big deal that a quarterback plays in preseason?
A: Many star quarterbacks don’t play at all in preseason to avoid injury. The fact that Williams (a young QB entering his second year) is playing shows the coach wants him to get real game reps to develop faster.
What is a "joint practice"?
A: Two teams practice together for a few days instead of just their own teammates. It’s like a scrimmage but more controlled. Teams get to face different looks without the full violence of a game.
What does "non-committal" mean?
A: The coach didn’t commit to a specific number. He kept it vague on purpose—he doesn’t want the other team to know exactly how much Williams will play.
Why is D’Andre Swift not playing if he’s not injured?
A: Coaches often rest veteran players in preseason who don’t need the reps. Swift knows the offense well; the team wants to see younger running backs instead.
How many preseason games are there?
A: NFL teams play 3 preseason games (used to be 4). This is Week 2, so there’s one more game after this.
Enjoy the game! It’ll be fun to watch Williams run the offense under the lights.