Caleb Williams shows early comfort in Bears’ offense against Bills

 

Photo Courtesy of the Chicago Bears

By Nate McCray

In his preseason debut against the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams wasted no time showcasing poise and precision in Head Coach Ben Johnson’s offense. The Bears opened the game aggressively, scripting a series that highlighted both timing and versatility in Williams’ passing game.

The first play from scrimmage was a crisp play-action pass to tight end Colston Loveland on a flat route, setting the tone for rhythm-based execution. Williams followed that with a sharp three-step drop back, firing a strike to tight end Cole Kmet on a timing route. After a short curl completion of five yards, the Bears shifted to shotgun, where Williams continued to look natural, finding Colston Loveland once again to open the field. Four-for-four and 60 yards deep into the first quarter (11:29), the Bears QB1 looked as though the game was slowing down for him.

Buffalo dialed up pressure on 2nd-and-5, forcing Williams to roll right before misfiring on an incomplete pass. Unfazed, he delivered his first major highlight the very next play, a one-step shotgun drop back where he threaded a 36-yard touchdown strike down the seam to wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus. The first series was a statement: Williams looked comfortable, confident, and in command, finishing the drive 5-of-6 for 97 yards and a touchdown.

The second series, however, told a different story. Williams opened with a nine-yard completion to DJ Moore on a quick three-step drop, but back-to-back incompletions, including a dropped pass by rookie Rome Odunze, halted the drive and forced a punt. The Bills’ blitz schemes began to create discomfort, slightly disrupting the rhythm the Bears had established.

From a distribution standpoint, Williams displayed variety. He was 3-for-6 for 52 yards on short-range throws (0–9 yards), added one medium-range completion for 18 yards, and capped it off with a deep-ball touchdown connection. Notably, he seemed far more comfortable in the shotgun, completing 71% of his passes from that look, compared to just 33% efficiency on play-action attempts.

The area for growth remains under duress. Williams completed only 25% of his passes when pressured in the pocket, a reminder that adjusting to NFL-level blitz disguises will take time. Still, his overall stat line 6-of-10 passing for 107 yards, one touchdown, and leading Chicago to an emphatic 38–0 win, was an encouraging first chapter.

Final Assessment: Caleb Williams displayed confidence, a command of Ben Johnson’s offensive system, and the ability to push the ball at all three levels. His ability to thrive in shotgun looks was a clear positive, though handling pressure will be a focal point of development. Overall, Williams’ debut grades out at a strong B+—a performance that Bears fans can take optimism from as the quarterback continues to settle into the league.