Is Caleb Williams playing today vs Bills? Bears HC weighs in on preseason plan
Last week, Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears opened pre-season play by facing the Houston Texans in the 2024 Hall of Fame game. While some anticipated the debut of the 2024 first-overall pick, it didn't happen as Bears head coach Matt Eberflus rested starters.
The Bears will take on the Buffalo Bills on the road this Saturday afternoon and Williams is set to make his debut. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune sports reporter, posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, this morning that Eberflus said he wants to see a good flow and rhythm to Williams, but didn't say how many snaps the rookie is expected to take:
“We want to see a good flow and rhythm to it.”
All starters that are healthy will play in Saturday's game against the Bills. The game will be played in Buffalo with a 1 p.m. start time.
Heisman Trophy winner Williams has high expectations from the media and oddsmakers, and he is the current favorite to win Rookie of the Year with +135 odds. Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has the second-best odds at +550.
Will Josh Allen and Bills' starters play against Caleb Williams and the Bears Saturday?
While Eberflus confirmed that Caleb Williams and his starters will see limited action this Saturday, the same is the case for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo Bills head coach McDermott said before Thursday's training camp practice that the start of the pre-season is to get the team ramped up and ready for the regular season.
McDermott said:
"It's getting them ramped up and ready to go for the season. It's an important step. Hard to simulate the speed of the game. And so getting through that in preseason is important."
After Saturday's game, the Bears will face the Cincinnati Bengals at home on August 17 at 1 p.m. and then will face the Kansas City Chiefs on the road that following Thursday, August 22 at 8:20 p.m.
The Bills travel to the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 17 at 7 p.m., before closing their pre-season at home against the Carolina Panthers at 1 p.m. on August 24.