Bears HC Ben Johnson Makes Caleb Williams' Preseason Status Very Clear
Caleb Williams won't play in the Bears' preseason opener, and Ben Johnson isn't promising he'll play at all before Week 1.
The Chicago Bears are set to begin preseason action this Saturday against the Cleveland Browns, giving fans their first glimpse of the team following their successful 2025 campaign under head coach Ben Johnson. Johnson guided Chicago to an 11-6 record, securing their first playoff appearance since 2020 and their first win in the postseason since 2010.
Unfortunately, it appears the franchise quarterback Caleb Williams, a key contributor to the team's success, will miss Saturday's game against the Browns. Johnson disclosed during a press conference on Thursday that several starters, including Williams, will sit out the preseason opener. The Bears head coach made it clear that he has no obligation to play Williams in the preseason, expressing that he already knows Williams' performance through daily practice sessions.
Johnson emphasized his desire to maintain a balanced workload among the rotation of players to accurately assess their readiness for the upcoming season, which is set to commence on Sunday, September 13, against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, made a significant impact during his breakout season under Johnson, leading the team in passing yards, touchdowns, and fourth-quarter comebacks.
With the addition of elite pass catchers such as Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland, and Cole Kmet, along with the league's top offensive line, Williams has the potential to achieve even greater heights in his second year with the Bears. However, Johnson's focus on sustainability suggests that resting Williams for Week 1 could be a prudent strategy.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
