Bears roll in preseason debut with Williams

Caleb Williams led a sharp preseason opening drive and showed growth as Chicago builds an offense around him.

Caleb Williams shines in preseason debut as Bears set tone

In Chicago, the Bears opened their preseason with a 38-0 win over a Bills squad that sat most starters. Williams led the first-team offense on a seven-play, 92-yard drive that ended with a 36-yard touchdown pass to Olamide Zaccheaus. In 13 snaps across two drives, he went 6-for-10 for 107 yards, a touchdown and a 103.6 passer rating. The drive featured early completions to tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet and highlighted Williams’ developing chemistry with Zaccheaus and DJ Moore.

Later, Tyson Bagent took over and finished 13-of-22 for 196 yards and a touchdown as Chicago outgained Buffalo by 348 yards. The game also spotlighted some offensive-line rough spots, including false starts that unsettled the unit while the starting left tackle role remains unsettled. Williams showed progress after a strong stretch of training camp, including practice-time rapport-building with his receivers and a growing comfort level in the new offense.

Overall, the edge came from Williams’ command and the first-team efficiency, even as the second-half game plan shifted and Declan Doyle handled playcalling. The performance gave the Bears a tangible early look at the identity they want to build around Williams this season.

This performance matters beyond the box score. It reinforces the narrative that Chicago plans to center its offense around Williams, with a coach who emphasizes growth and accountability. The contrast between a productive first drive and lingering line issues highlights a key stress point for the team: can the offense translate these early gains into steady regular-season production while the line stabilizes? The strong connection with Zaccheaus and Odunze is a plus, suggesting Williams can operate within a trusted chain of targets as the playbook thickens. There is hope, but also caution, because preseason wins can be influenced by opponent decisions and game plans that don’t mirror the regular season.

The Bears still face scrutiny over the offensive line and the pace of growth for a rookie quarterback learning a new system. If Williams continues to stack good days, the staff can sell a compelling case for patience and development. If not, early optimism could fade quickly once real defenses mount more consistent pressure and the supporting cast tightens up.

Highlights

The preseason window is a place to test ideas, not a guarantee of results.