Caleb Williams made a strong impression in his official preseason debut on Saturday, leading the Chicago Bears’ offense in a matchup against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
After sitting out the Bears’ 21–17 victory over the Houston Texans in the Hall of Fame game last week, all eyes were on Williams as he took the field for the first time in a Bears uniform.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft didn’t disappoint, guiding Chicago’s offense through two productive drives in the first half, both of which resulted in points. Williams completed 4-of-7 passes for 95 yards, earning an impressive passer rating of 101.8.
His performance showcased his poise, decision-making, and ability to move the chains under pressure.
Williams’ first drive began with a critical third-and-12 situation, where he connected with wide receiver DJ Moore on a 12-yard pass to pick up the first down. The very next play saw Williams display his versatility, executing a quick shovel pass to running back D’Andre Swift, who sprinted 42 yards deep into Bills territory, setting up the Bears with a first-and-10 from Buffalo’s 18-yard line.
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However, the drive stalled after three consecutive runs by Khalil Herbert failed to gain a first down. Kicker Cairo Santos then capped off the drive with a 31-yard field goal, giving the Bears an early 3–0 lead.
After the Bills were forced into a three-and-out on their subsequent possession, Williams returned to the field for his second drive, this time starting from Chicago’s 3-yard line. Despite the challenging field position, Williams methodically led the offense down the field. The drive was highlighted by three consecutive first-down plays: a 15-yard completion to receiver Keenan Allen, a 14-yard run by Herbert, and a 26-yard strike to tight end Cole Kmet.
The connection with Kmet was arguably Williams’ most impressive play of the day. Facing pressure, Williams rolled out to his right, pump-faked to create space, and delivered a precise pass to Kmet, who was streaking toward the sideline. The play not only moved the chains but also demonstrated Williams’ ability to make plays on the run and maintain composure under duress.
Once again, the drive brought the Bears into the red zone, but they were unable to reach the end zone, settling instead for another field goal from Santos, extending their lead to 6–0.
Following his two successful drives, Williams was replaced by backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, who took over the reins for the remainder of the game.
Williams’ debut provided Bears fans with plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future. His ability to command the offense, make smart decisions, and execute under pressure bodes well for Chicago’s hopes this season.
After this solid start, Williams will have another opportunity to build on his performance next Saturday when the Bears host the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field.
