Fans will have to wait at least another week to see rookie quarterback Caleb Williams take his first preseason snaps in a Chicago Bears uniform.
Coach Matt Eberflus announced Tuesday that Williams and the other Bears starters won’t play Thursday against the Houston Texans in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Second-year quarterback Tyson Bagent, who started four games as an undrafted rookie last season, will start Thursday.
Eberflus previously said he expects Williams to get 45 to 55 preseason reps. But he said they will determine “week to week” how those will unfold.
That means Williams could get his first snaps in the Aug. 10 exhibition against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bears also have preseason games Aug. 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field and Aug. 22 against the Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo.
Williams said Monday he would like to play in the game but left it up to the Bears.
“I would love to get out there and play,” he said. “It’s pretty awesome to be at Canton, but it’s Coach’s decision.”
Eberflus said the conversation with Williams consisted of simply telling him he wouldn’t play. He understands that fans are eager to see Williams but said the Bears feel good about the number of reps the starters have gotten in padded practices thus far.
“Obviously the passion the Chicago fans have is second to none,” Eberflus said. “It’s the best in the world. That’s why I’m always mindful of decisions we make to make sure that experience is good for them out here. … But you always have to put in the front of your mind the safety and health of your football team to get ready for that first game.”
The Bears and Texans will be the first teams to play in the preseason this year. The game precedes the Hall of Fame enshrinement festivities this weekend. Bears greats Steve McMichael, Devin Hester and Julius Peppers are among the inductees.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans hasn’t confirmed whether his starters, including 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud, will sit out, though local reports said it’s likely they won’t play.
The Bears held their third padded practice in front of fans Tuesday at Halas Hall. They’ll have a split practice Wednesday, with starters practicing in full and those playing in the preseason game going through a walk-through.
As they prepare for Thursday’s game, here’s the rest of our daily rundown.
Players in the spotlight
When the Bears signed running back D’Andre Swift to a three-year deal in the offseason, it brought into question the role of fourth-year running back Khalil Herbert, who is in a contract year.
Since former Bears GM Ryan Pace drafted him in the sixth round in 2021, Herbert has totaled 1,775 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while sharing time with David Montgomery in 2021-22 and with Roschon Johnson and D’Onta Foreman last year.
Herbert said Tuesday he looks at the addition of Swift as a challenge, one that helped push him in the offseason to be on top of his game.
“Then when we get on the field, we push each other even more,” said Herbert, who missed five games last year with an ankle injury. “It’s making us better and making everybody on the offense better as well.”
Johnson also is vying for time after totaling 352 rushing yards and two touchdowns and 209 receiving yards as a rookie. He said his focus this year is “being a guy that’s reliable for all four downs.”
“I can show that with the opportunity given,” he said.
Herbert said he has had to prove himself constantly during his career and he feels equipped mentally to handle that task again, noting the Bears just heard from author and motivational speaker Jon Gordon this week.
“Really just feeding yourself positive thought and putting in the work in the things you do as well is a big thing,” he said. “But really just positivity in your brain. … Speaking life into yourself, speaking great positive things into yourself goes a long way.”
Caleb Williams watch
The passing offense was quiet through most of the full-team work Tuesday, with Williams throwing just one short completion to Johnson through the first four periods. Safety Jaquan Brisker picked off Williams on a throw over the middle that was behind tight end Cole Kmet.
Williams hit rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze twice in the end zone at the end of practice in a two-minute drill and a 2-point conversion after a simulated defensive score.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson looked dominant during one-on-one drills. On offense during those drills, Williams hit a sliding Keenan Allen against Josh Blackwell and a wide-open Tyler Scott, who broke free of Greg Stroman.
Williams also connected on a deep shot to DJ Moore against Tyrique Stevenson for a touchdown in the seven-on-seven period.
Williams said Monday he feels like he’s where he needs to be at this point in camp and is on track to be ready for the season opener, which is more than five weeks away. Eberflus agreed.
“Him, really just keep investing in the team in his way,” Eberflus said. “His way is to know the scheme, know his fundamentals, know it cold and keep operating that way.
“To me, he’s really starting to pick up his leadership too. Because now he feels comfortable in the offense, you can really start to see him coach other guys, encourage other guys, bring guys together, which he has done in the past, and that’s a good sign too.”
Quote of note
“Just the leadership aspect. He’s not going to wait for anyone to say what needs to be said. He’s going to step up, hit it on the nail, hit it on the head. Just being able to do that as a rookie is great. Guys respect that.” — Herbert on Williams, who recently told his teammates to clean up the locker room
Seen and heard
Eberflus plans to take a busload of players and staff to the Hall of Fame when the team arrives in Canton on Wednesday.
They hope to meet with Bears Hall of Famers such as Hester, Richard Dent and Jimbo Covert, then tour the Hall.
“It’s exciting to talk to those guys because you understand the work ethic, the passion, the togetherness, how they came together as a team,” Eberflus said. “And I ask a lot of questions to those guys and I glean a lot of information, a lot of wisdom from those championship teams. That’s what I hope our players will take away too.”
Injury report
- Right guard Nate Davis, nickel Kyler Gordon, defensive end Jacob Martin and running backs Travis Homer and Ian Wheeler sat out practice.
- Tight end Marcedes Lewis, who often is given veteran rest days, did not practice.
- Safety Jonathan Owens began his excused absence to attend the Olympic gymnastics competition of Simone Biles, his wife.
- Tight end Gerald Everett exited the field with a trainer during the seven-on-seven period but returned later.
