Why Caleb Williams is Playing For Bears in Preseason Week 2 vs. Bengals

Head coach Ben Johnson explained why Caleb Williams is playing for the Chicago Bears inn preseason Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

We have a bit of a surprise on our hands for the preseason Week 2 game between the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals, as quarterback Caleb Williams is going to play.

Head coach Ben Johnson had previously said he did not need to see Williams play in the preseason, but clearly he changed his mind and the former No. 1 overall pick will suit up.

"But do I need to see Caleb Williams in the preseason? No, I don't," Johnson said before preseason Week 1.

Johnson did not indicate how many snaps and series Williams will get exactly versus Cincy, but we wouldn't be shocked if it's just one.

Here's why Johnson has chosen to play Williams on Saturday night.

Why Bears are playing Caleb Williams

When asked about why Caleb Williams is playing on Saturday night, Johnson had this to say on ESPN Chicago:

"It will be good for him to go thru the night game routine. He's prepared to play as long as he needs to for our offense," said Johnson.

When it comes to how many snaps Williams might see, Johnson was non-committal, per ESPN's Courtney Cronin.

"He's prepared to play as long as he needs to for our offense," Johnson said.

Cronin notes that Williams played 14 snaps in his preseason debut in 2025, and that also came after a joint practice, so he could be around that many against the Bengals.

Depending on how the offense does, that could be one series or a few.

This is a bit surprising considering the Bears just had a joint practice with the Bengals a few days ago and we assumed Chicago would be content with those reps.

But, as Johnson said, he wants to help Williams get into a routine, so here we are.

Who else is playing?

According to Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune, all but Joe Thuney and Ozzy Trapilo are playing along the offensive line.

Williams will have a good amount of weapons on hand, also with Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland and Kalif Raymond prepared to play.

Luther Burden is not playing because of his injury, and neither is D'Andre Swift, but his absence is not injury-related.

On defense, Hammond notes that T.J. Edwards, Grady Jarrett and Austin Booker are all in street clothes, so they won't be playing, either.