Let’s get one thing straight — preseason football usually sucks. It’s vanilla playbooks, backup QBs, and a bunch of guys who will be selling insurance by October. But tonight at Soldier Field? This one actually matters. Not because of the final score (spoiler: no one gives a damn), but because three storylines will give us a brutally honest look at whether the Chicago Bears are building something real — or just another false hope campaign wrapped in navy and orange.
1. Caleb Williams Finally Gets the Keys
Alright, Bears fans. Here it is. The moment you’ve been screaming about since April. Caleb Williams, the savior, the golden boy, the quarterback who’s supposed to make us forget decades of incompetence, is finally stepping onto the field in Ben Johnson’s offense. No more clips of him in a bucket hat on the sidelines. Tonight, it’s live bullets.
But let’s pump the brakes on what actually matters here. It’s not about Williams throwing for 300 yards in a meaningless exhibition. What I’m watching for: does he look like he owns the offense? Johnson’s system isn’t easy — it’s complex, it’s layered, it requires the quarterback to make grown-man decisions before the snap. That’s been the emphasis in camp. Can Williams handle it?
Here’s the test: watch his command at the line of scrimmage. Does he bark out protections? Does he get the play call out cleanly without delay of game or false starts? The Bears have been tripping over themselves with pre-snap penalties all camp — including during the joint practice with Buffalo. If Williams can run this show without looking like a deer in headlights, that’s a bigger win than any highlight throw.
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And here’s the wrinkle: we don’t even know if he’ll face the Bills’ starters or some guy who’s going to be bagging groceries in two weeks. But that’s actually good. That’s real NFL life — you never know who’s lining up across from you. If Williams shows composure regardless of opponent, you can feel a little better about Week 1 against Minnesota.
Bottom line: don’t obsess over stats. Obsess over whether he looks like the alpha. If he’s checking into the right plays, managing the tempo, and avoiding drive-killing penalties, that’s the sign you want. If not? Well, then strap in for another long season of “he’s still developing” excuses.
2. The Left Tackle Dumpster Fire
If Caleb Williams is the franchise, then protecting his ass should be priority number one. Instead, the Bears’ left tackle competition looks like a reality TV show where everyone’s losing.
It started as a three-man race: Braxton Jones, rookie Kiran Amegadjie, and Ozzy Trapilo. Then, out of nowhere, Theo Benedet — yes, a former practice squad guy — gets first-team reps. That’s not a feel-good story. That’s a red flag the size of the Willis Tower.
Ben Johnson isn’t hiding his frustration. He straight-up admitted they’re still searching for “clarity” and that there’s been way too much inconsistency. Translation: nobody’s locked this job down, and penalties/communication breakdowns are making it worse.
Remember, this team let its rookie QB get sacked 68 times last season. Sixty. Eight. That’s not protection, that’s attempted murder. If they don’t fix this, Caleb won’t make it to Thanksgiving.
Tonight’s game might be the turning point. Johnson said they’ll “go as long as we need to go to find the right guy,” but the clock’s ticking. The opener against Minnesota isn’t far away. Whoever trots out at LT tonight better not just survive — they need to dominate. Watch for false starts, watch for holding calls, watch for whether Williams gets blindsided. Because if nobody steps up, Ryan Poles better get on the phone and trade for someone before this line kills another quarterback.
3. Pass Rush Depth and a Secondary on Life Support
Let’s talk defense. Austin Booker lit it up last week with three sacks. Awesome. But here’s the truth: preseason heroes come and go. Can the starters bring consistent heat against a legitimate offensive line? That’s what matters.
Last season, the Bears’ pass rush was one-dimensional. Montez Sweat did his job, but teams just schemed him out of the game. The rest of the line? MIA. That’s how you end up with one of the league’s most inconsistent defenses.
Now the spotlight’s on guys like Dayo Odeyingbo, Grady Jarrett, and Gervon Dexter. Someone has to prove they can win their one-on-ones. Buffalo’s line got roasted during joint practices, so if the Bears’ defense can’t take advantage of that tonight, then buckle up for another year of “Sweat and pray.”
And don’t forget the secondary. Jaylon Johnson’s dealing with a leg injury, Kyler Gordon’s nursing a hamstring, and suddenly cornerback depth looks thin as hell. Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith, and Nahshon Wright are all fighting for snaps that matter. Whoever shines tonight could end up being a starter come Week 1. Whoever gets burned repeatedly? Well, good luck finding work when the waiver wire hits.
Final Verdict
Ignore the scoreboard. Seriously, don’t care. What matters is:
Caleb Williams looking like he runs the offense, not just renting it.
Someone — anyone — proving they can protect his blindside.
A pass rush that doesn’t disappear when Sweat gets double-teamed.
A secondary that doesn’t collapse the second injuries pile up.
This game is less about wins and losses and more about whether the Bears can finally get out of their own damn way. Preseason or not, tonight’s a barometer for whether this team is legit or still just selling hope.
Let’s see if this thing’s real, or if we’re about to get fooled again.