Caleb Williams will get his first
preseason playing time in Johnson's offense when Bears host Bills
[August 14, 2025]
By GENE CHAMBERLAIN
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson sees the
second preseason game as the ideal time to get quarterback Caleb
Williams some on-field reps.
Williams will see game action in Johnson’s offense for the first
time when the Bears host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. Backups
Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum and Austin Reed took the snaps in last
Sunday’s 24-24 tie against Miami in the preseason opener.
“Our starters are going to play, everyone is going to play,” Johnson
said Wednesday. “Last week and really all through camp I’ve been
pretty consistent with the thought of reps, reps, reps are the most
important thing to get (Williams) up to speed.”
Johnson said he got Williams 80 to 100 practice plays within the
offense that he wouldn’t have had if he had played in Sunday's game.
Of course, Williams wasn't facing a live defense trying to sack him.
“This week it’s a different schedule, a different length of time in
terms of between games, and all that,” Johnson said. “So our plan
right now is the guys that sat out last week they will be playing
this week.”
Williams’ play in training camp practices has been inconsistent but
Johnson has seen improvement from the second-year QB.
“I’m pleased with how he is able to spit these plays out right now,”
Johnson said. “He’s made significant progress in that regard and
once we get going here in a game week, we’re going to condense the
verbiage even more. But we have challenged him. It’s been a lot.
“That was by design, and so if we struggle at all in the huddle to
get the play out, then the delays are going to pop up. That’s a
little bit part of the learning process and us growing, but by
design we have made this very challenging and hard and we know what
we need to do as a staff to elevate some of that pressure. I think
Week 1 we’re going to be in a good spot.”
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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams watches from the sideline
during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the
Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin
Hooley)
What’s less clear is who will start at left tackle.
Starter Braxton Jones is being challenged by rookie Ozzy Trapilo.
However, at Wednesday’s practice, second-year undrafted free agent
Theo Benedet alternated with Jones at left tackle with the starters,
while Trapilo was the backup right tackle.
Jaylon Johnson ‘on track’ for return
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson remains on the non-football injury list,
but Ben Johnson sounded more optimistic Wednesday that the two-time
Pro Bowl cornerback will be ready for the season opener.
“He’s right on track, he’s right where he need to be,” Johnson said.
“It’s really like I said, those type of injuries you really don’t
know. Short term, long term, every guy is a little bit different,
but I think we’re going in the right direction.”
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