RECAP: Caleb Williams Silences Critics With Stellar Preseason Performance Against Buffalo Bills, 38-0
Well…that was fun, right?
In their second game of the pre-season, the Chicago Bears absolutely dominated the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field – winning 38-0.
Caleb Williams wasted no time addressing his detractors. On the Bears’ opening possession, he orchestrated a surgical 92-yard touchdown drive, completing 6 of 7 passes for 95 yards, with the lone incompletion a diving drop by rookie receiver Rome Odunze.
Williams finished the game 6-for-10 for 107 yards, one touchdown, and a sparkling 130.0 passer rating, showing no signs of the hesitancy or inaccuracy highlighted in training camp reports. His ability to navigate disguised coverages, deliver throws with zip and touch, and sync his footwork with his reads drew praise from analysts.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky called the drive “flawless” against Buffalo’s vanilla preseason defense.
The performance was a stark contrast to the narrative that had dominated headlines.
Over the past month, Williams faced intense criticism fueled by a viral video from early August training camp, where he missed four consecutive throws in a quick-release drill and appeared frustrated, prompting some to label it a “tantrum.” Colin Cowherd speculated that Johnson’s decision to sit Williams for the preseason opener against the Dolphins was a protective move, hinting at concerns about his readiness.
ESPN’s Dominique Foxworth added fuel, stating:
“You expect him to be in control and on time. If he doesn’t do that, I think people do get concerned.”
A Family Fest practice where Williams went 5-for-17 with three interceptions further amplified doubts, with some questioning whether the former No. 1 overall pick could handle Johnson’s timing-based offense.
Williams and the Bears’ brass pushed back. The quarterback clarified that the viral drill prioritized speed over accuracy, while GM Ryan Poles dismissed the media frenzy as a “national crisis” over a single bad practice. Supporters on X highlighted unreported positives, like a simulated game where Williams went 21-for-27 with four touchdowns, arguing the criticism lacked context. The game vs. Buffalo validated their stance, with Williams showcasing the poise and precision that had been questioned, turning skeptics into believers—at least for now.
Rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden have made the most of their snaps in this pre-season. Yesterday, Loveland finished with 2 catches for 26 yards, and Burden finished with 3 catches for 49 yards. Tyson Bagent looked much better than he did a week ago, went 13/22 for 196 yards and a TD. Ian Wheeler, who is undoubtedly in consideration to make the roster given the Bears’ weak RB room, was impressive and finished with 80 yards and 2 TDs.
The Bears’ final preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs this Friday offers another chance to build chemistry before the regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on September 8th.
Discover more from Chicago Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categorized:Bears