The Chicago Bears kick off preseason action Saturday at home against the Cleveland Browns.
It’ll be fans’ first chance to see the team after their breakout 2025 season under head coach Ben Johnson, who led Chicago to an 11-6 record, its first playoff appearance since 2020, and its first playoff win since 2010.
Unfortunately for Bears fans, it looks like they won’t get to see the man who helped get them there — franchise quarterback Caleb Williams. Johnson informed reporters Thursday that “a number of the starters” will sit out Saturday’s game against the Browns, including Williams. He further emphasized that he feels no pressure to play Williams at all during the preseason.
“Do I need to see Caleb Williams in the preseason? No, I don’t,” Johnson said. “I see him every single day in practice, and I know what we’re going to get come the season.”
Johnson added that he wants to ensure a balanced workload across the rotation so he can get an accurate read on every player, though he didn’t specify whether that would come via live game reps or practice reps alone.
Suddenly, there’s at least a possibility that Bears fans won’t see Williams in action until the regular season opens Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, was brought in to revitalize the franchise, and just two years in, he’s done exactly that. Last season was his breakout under Johnson — he threw for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while adding 388 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. He also led the NFL with six fourth-quarter comebacks, earning the nickname “Iceman.”
Still, there’s clearly another level he can reach, and that’s the expectation this season — Year 2 in Johnson’s system. DJ Moore is gone, but Williams still has a stable of elite pass catchers in Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland, and Cole Kmet, plus one of the best offensive lines in football. If they can keep him upright, this team could put up big numbers in 2026.
The biggest priority for Chicago is sustainability, so keeping Williams fresh for Week 1 may be a smart approach.