Bears Unleash Caleb Williams vs. Bengals in Preseason Opener
Caleb Williams Makes His 2024 Preseason Debut: A Simple Breakdown
What Happened on Saturday Night?
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams finally stepped onto the field for real game action this preseason. Here’s the quick version:
- The Bears drove down the field on their very first possession
- They settled for a 45-yard field goal by kicker Cairo Santos
- Williams completed 2 of 5 passes for 28 yards
- The biggest "oops" moment? He overthrew tight end Colston Loveland on what would’ve been a touchdown
Important Point: This was just a preseason game (exhibition) — the stats don’t count toward the regular season, and teams use these games to practice and evaluate players.
The Opponent: Not Exactly the "A-Team"
The Cincinnati Bengals treated this game very differently than the Bears:
| Bengals Approach | Bears Approach |
|---|---|
| No starters played — Coach Zac Taylor announced this Thursday | Most regular starters played — including Williams |
| Started 40-year-old Josh Johnson at quarterback | Played to get real game reps |
| Mostly second- and third-string defenders on the field | Treated it like a dress rehearsal |
Who is Josh Johnson?
- 40 years old (ancient by NFL quarterback standards!)
- Journeyman — played for 14 different NFL teams (a record for QBs)
- Has played in the AAF and XFL (alternative football leagues)
- Once played for Jim Harbaugh at University of San Diego
Why Did Williams Play? The Backstory
1. The Backup QB Got Hurt
- Tyson Bagent (Bears’ #2 quarterback) pulled his hamstring in the first preseason game
- He didn’t even travel to Cincinnati
- This left Williams as the only healthy QB with NFL experience
2. Coach Ben Johnson Was Undecided
- Had been non-committal all week about playing Williams
- Said he’d decide after Thursday’s joint practice with the Bengals
- Ultimately told the pregame show: "Williams was prepared to play as long as he needs to for our offense."
3. Same Script as Last Year
This mirrors exactly what happened in 2023:
- Sat out first preseason game
- Played limited snaps (14) in second game
- That game came just 3 days after a joint practice (same as this year!)
Key Takeaways in Plain English
The Big Picture: The Bears wanted their franchise quarterback to get live game reps against a real defense (even a backup one) before the games start counting. The Bengals? They basically said "Nah, we’re good" and protected their starters.
What We Learned:
- Williams got his feet wet — mission accomplished
- Rust showed — 2-for-5 passing, missed TD throw
- Offensive line held up — no sacks, enough time to throw
- Game plan was simple — short, safe throws to build confidence
Summary
Caleb Williams played his first 2024 preseason snaps Saturday night against the Bengals’ backups. He led a field goal drive but looked a little rusty (2-for-5, 28 yards, missed a touchdown pass). The Bears treated it seriously — playing most starters — while the Bengals sat everyone important and started a 40-year-old journeyman QB. This follows the exact same pattern as last year: sit Game 1, play a little in Game 2 after a joint practice. The goal? Get Williams comfortable before the real games begin.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why do preseason games even exist if they don’t count?
Think of them like scrimmages in practice — but against another team. Coaches use them to:
- Evaluate backup players fighting for roster spots
- Give starters "live reps" to knock off rust
- Test play-calling and communication in real conditions
Is it bad that Williams only went 2-for-5?
Not really! Remember:
- He hadn’t played in a real game since January
- The Bengals knew exactly what was coming (vanilla play-calling)
- Preseason stats literally don’t matter — only improvement does
Why did the Bengals refuse to play their starters?
Injury prevention. Coach Zac Taylor decided the risk of losing a key player in a meaningless game outweighed any benefit. Many NFL coaches now do this.
Who is Colston Loveland?
He’s a rookie tight end the Bears drafted. A "tight end" is like a hybrid — blocks like an offensive lineman but catches passes like a receiver. Williams missing him on a TD is just a timing thing they’ll fix.
When do the real games start?
The 2024 NFL regular season kicks off September 5th. The Bears have one more preseason game to fine-tune things before then!