Aug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) celebrates with Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Chicago Bears fans couldn’t have asked for much better from Caleb Williams on Sunday night. The young quarterback delivered a strong performance against the Buffalo Bills, finishing 6-of-10 for 101 yards and a touchdown. Everything about his operation was clean. He made good decisions, played on time, and never looked rattled. However, it wasn’t quite perfect. The Bears were on their way to another score on Williams’ second drive. Then things stalled out when a 3rd down pass fell incomplete.
It came on an out route to Rome Odunze. Initial reactions were that the wide receiver should’ve caught the pass. It went through his hands after all, even if he had to dive to get it. Even former tight end Greg Olsen said as much. You need to catch a pass like that.
Williams was asked about the play after the game. His perspective was significantly different. Everything that went wrong was his fault. Before the snap, he’d changed the protections. Then he compounded that mistake by retreating from his initial drop despite the running back picking up the blitz. The pass would’ve been more accurate if he’d maintained his original stance.
Caleb Williams keeps showing his understanding of leadership.
Was the play actually his fault? That is debatable. Sure, the throw could’ve been better, but he still put it in a spot where Odunze had a chance. It was a drop. That isn’t the point, though. Caleb Williams is the quarterback. He is the leader. Everything that happens with this offense goes through him. Fair or not, he needs to accept blame when things go wrong. Joe Montana perfected this art in the 1980s. Whenever an offensive lineman or somebody else made a mistake, he quickly pointed out that he had made a bad call. Conversely, he gave all credit for big plays to his teammates.
A selfless approach like that made it easier for guys to play hard for him. That is what Williams wants to do. He will take the heat for his guys, even when it might not be warranted. For a 23-year-old to comprehend something like this is a great sign of the future.
Aug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
The Bears didn’t just beat the Bills. They embarrassed them. A 38-0 preseason win isn’t supposed to mean much on paper, but anyone who watched Saturday night saw something different: a team with swagger, direction, and young talent that actually looks ready to matter this fall.
Sure, it’s preseason. Sure, Josh Allen played about as much football as a guy at a charity golf outing. But you can’t fake execution. You can’t fake energy. And the Bears had both in droves.
Here are the five biggest winners from Chicago’s demolition of Buffalo.
1. Caleb Williams Finally Looked Like The Guy
It wasn’t perfect — this wasn’t Patrick Mahomes teleporting to Soldier Field — but it was the first time we saw why the Bears blew everything up to build around Caleb Williams.
The kid opened the game with a 7-play, 92-yard clinic, finishing it with a 36-yard laser to Olamide Zaccheaus that reminded everyone he didn’t come to the NFL to dink and dunk.
Stat check:
6-of-10 passing
107 yards
1 TD
130.1 passer rating
That’s not “oh, nice preseason reps.” That’s a franchise QB running Ben Johnson’s offense like he’s been doing it for years. He looked faster in his reads, sharper in his footwork, and finally showed chemistry with Cole Kmet and rookie TE Colston Loveland.
Winner label: Williams needed a clean, decisive outing after his rookie year wobbled between “flashes” and “what the hell was that?” Saturday night gave Bears fans something they’ve been starving for: hope that the offense isn’t just theoretical hype, but actually functional.
2. Austin Booker Keeps Making Noise
Austin Booker is playing like he hates quarterbacks personally.
The previous 5th-rounder-turned-preseason-darling added 1.5 sacks and multiple pressures in just a handful of snaps. Through six quarters of preseason football, he’s leading the damn league with 4.5 sacks. That’s not “good for a 2nd year guy.” That’s “what the hell did we just find in the late rounds?”
His spin move cooked Buffalo’s right tackle. His speed rush left a guard looking like he was stuck in the mud. Booker even flashed raw power by walking a lineman straight back into the QB’s lap.
Now, yes — he did limp off with a knee injury, and Bears fans had a collective heart attack. But assuming it’s nothing serious, the Bears might have found the perfect tag-team partner for Montez Sweat.
Winner label: Booker’s not just a flash in camp — he’s a rotational piece who could force his way onto the field this fall.
3. Tyson Bagent: QB2, Case Closed
The QB2 “competition” is over. Tyson Bagent ended it.
The kid looked like a seasoned vet, leading three touchdown drives in the second quarter alone, bombing Buffalo’s second-team defense for 197 yards and a touchdown.
Stat check:
13-of-22 passing
197 yards
1 TD
The highlight? An 11-yard corner route dime to Tyler Scott that split coverage perfectly. But what mattered more was how he ran the offense. No panic. No wasted timeouts. Just smooth progression reads and steady pocket movement.
Winner label: This is the type of backup QB play that actually wins you games in November when your starter tweaks a hamstring. Bagent isn’t just “holding the clipboard guy.” He’s insurance, and damn good insurance at that.
4. Luther Burden III Shows He’s NFL-Ready
Rookie wideout Luther Burden III didn’t need a 100-yard night to pop. What he did instead was far more important: prove he’s ready for real snaps in Ben Johnson’s system.
3 catches, 49 yards
A 22-yard burst off play-action
Plus, the dirty work: two key touchdown blocks
Read that again: two touchdown blocks.
Coaches love to say, “no block, no rock.” Burden lived that mantra Saturday night. He sprung Brittain Brown on the edge for a goal-line TD and later sealed off a lane for undrafted RB Ian Wheeler’s score.
That’s how rookies earn trust fast. Flash some YAC juice, throw your body around in the run game, and prove you’re more than a highlight reel.
Winner label: Burden’s role is only going to grow. He looks like the perfect do-it-all piece in an offense that values versatility.
5. Ian Wheeler—The Preseason Folk Hero
Every preseason has “that guy.” The undrafted kid who makes fans fall in love. This year, meet Ian Wheeler.
With the RB room banged up, Wheeler seized the spotlight:
19 carries, 80 yards, 2 TDs
Multiple short-yardage conversions
A 10-yard TD run where he refused to go down
Add in a couple of catches and some clock-chewing runs, and suddenly Wheeler’s gone from camp body to “wait, is he making this roster?”
What separates him from most preseason heroes is his style. He runs with vision, patience, and finish — traits you actually need when the real bullets start flying.
Winner label: Wheeler just forced himself into the roster conversation. At worst, he’s practice squad gold. At best, he’s a real rotational back this fall.
Notable Mentions
Brittain Brown (RB): 16 carries, 73 yards, and a bulldozing goal-line TD. He runs angry, and that’s a good thing.
Olamide Zaccheaus (WR): The 36-yard TD catch from Williams was electric. His chemistry with the young QB is already brewing.
Final Verdict
The Bears didn’t just look competent Saturday — they looked dangerous. And that’s new territory.
Caleb Williams played like a QB1. Austin Booker played like a pass-rush cheat code. Tyson Bagent made the QB2 spot a wrap. Luther Burden III blocked like a tight end and flashed like a WR1. Ian Wheeler put himself on the NFL map.
The Bears just beat the Bills 38-0 in a preseason game, and somehow it still mattered. Not because of the score, but because of the message: this team’s young core is legit, Ben Johnson’s offense has juice, and Chicago might finally — finally — be done pretending.
The 2nd round of the 2025 NFL draft didn’t unfold exactly as the Chicago Bears hoped. As their first pick approached at 39th overall, GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson had eyes for one player. That was Ohio State running back Treveyon Henderson. They felt his explosiveness and versatility would make him a perfect fit in the new offense. Poles even tried trading up to make it happen. Sadly, none of the opportunities came together. Henderson went 38th to the New England Patriots. Unable to dwell on the loss for long, Poles had to pivot. Chicago went with talented Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden instead.
It didn’t take long for the team to realize what they got wasn’t a consolation prize. After spending the first week of training camp on the sideline with a hamstring injury, Burden entered the fray with a bang. He delivered some big blows to the Bears’ defense in drills, showcasing his unique blend of size, strength, speed, and route-running skills. This soon carried over into the preseason opener against Miami, where he had two big catches that set up two scores. It was more of the same against Buffalo on Sunday night, where he had three catches for 49 yards and two huge blocks that led to touchdowns.
During the broadcast, former Bears tight end Greg Olsen revealed a startling revelation. Apparently, Poles told him before the game that Burden has a chance to be the best receiver the Bears have—better than D.J. Moore or Rome Odunze.
Ryan Poles let his intrusive thoughts win on that one.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. People have eyes. It isn’t difficult to see that Burden has immense potential. Usually, a young receiver either has raw speed and strength but can’t run routes or can run routes but lacks the overall physical ability. Burden has both. That is the scary part. Now you put him in the hands of Ben Johnson, one of the NFL’s best and most creative play callers, and under the guidance of wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, a former Super Bowl champion. In hindsight, people probably should’ve seen this immediate ascent coming. Ryan Poles isn’t wrong. As good as Moore and Odunze are and will be for years to come, Burden has the chance to become a legitimate superstar. There is nothing he can’t do.
Aug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson on the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears shut out the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football, with Caleb Williams and the offense looking sharp. Under the guidance of new head coach Ben Johnson, every unit—first, second, and third team—operated like a well-oiled machine. Plays were executed with precision, timing, and confidence, showing early signs that Johnson’s offense could be a serious weapon this season.
But the Bears quickly discovered that Johnson transforms into something of a game-day monster. With about a minute left in the first half, Fox cameras caught him completely locked in—no smile, no hint of emotion.
Meanwhile, the offense was moving the ball well: Caleb Williams and the first team had already played great, and Tyson Bagent was driving the offense effectively in relief. Yet Johnson remained focused, constantly analyzing the field and communicating with his players/coaches.
He didn’t crack a smile until the very end, when he finally gave a grin and wink toward the sideline. The team knew they had an offensive mastermind in Johnson, but his intensity might make him the most demanding Bears coach in years. Oddly enough, Caleb Williams said after the game that Johnson is actually calmer during games than in practice, a testament to the fiery energy he brings to every session.
The Chicago Bears draft class has shined for much of the preseason. Excitement is building each week. Colston Loveland has looked great in training camp and had his best performance yet with two catches for 26 yards in his limited work against Buffalo. Luther Burden has been even better, catching three passes for 49 yards and delivering two monster blocks for rushing touchdowns. This doesn’t include Kyle Monangai, who sat the game out but looked good last week against Miami.
In all the buzz about those guys, one other might be getting overlooked.
At least that is what legendary Bears center Olin Kreutz thinks. Being the offensive line specialist he is, that is the area he watches every game. After seeing the starting offense operate in the first quarter, one name kept jumping out at him on the screen.
Bears might of found something in Luke Newman. I’d like to see him play some center also.
People didn’t react much when the Bears took Luke Newman in the 6th round of the draft. He’d been a steady and dependable blocker at Michigan State. Most viewed him as a smart player and a good athlete who was undersized. Perhaps they may have misjudged him a little.
Newman keeps showcasing his versatility for the Chicago Bears.
He started the game at left guard in place of Joe Thuney, who didn’t suit up. Later in the contest, he shifted to right guard. Throughout the action, he routinely made strong blocks. Though he was called for a holding penalty at one point, reviews showed it was a weak call, as his technique was sound. This comes after a strong debut last week against Miami, where he didn’t allow a single quarterback pressure. Kreutz would know more than most. If he says this kid has something, it would be wise to pay attention. Newman is that classic case of a player with 6/10 ability but manages to maximize it through hard work and discipline. He should make for a valuable backup this season with room to grow. If you get that from a 6th rounder, it’s a big win.
People were worried after the preseason opener when the Chicago Bears opted not to play Caleb Williams. Many felt it was a glaring sign the young quarterback wasn’t adjusting to Ben Johnson’s offense well enough. The head coach didn’t raise any alarms. He merely stated this was part of the process. A few days later, he announced that Williams and most of the starters would play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. Fans were nervous. What happens if he struggles? The national media would be brutal in such an event.
They needn’t have worried.
Despite a botched kick return and a holding penalty, Williams calmly guided the Bears on a 92-yard march in just seven plays for a touchdown. It was highlighted by a 29-yard strike to Cole Kmet and a 36-yard catch and run for the score by Olamide Zaccheaus. First round pick Colston Loveland also had two catches for 26 yards. It was a thing of beauty. Williams looked calm and collected the entire time, playing with great timing and rhythm. It was the first sign that Johnson has guided him down the right path.
Caleb Williams still has plenty of work to do.
The Bears went through some protection issues on the second drive, which forced some rushed throws. That didn’t stop Caleb Williams from converting a beautiful third down to D.J. Moore. He also should’ve had another to Rome Odunze, but it was dropped. He finished the evening 6-of-10 for 101 yards and a touchdown. It wasn’t a ton of work. Still, it certainly whetted the palate of what this offense can become as the quarterback and coach grow more comfortable with each other. The scary part is the running game never really got involved. Deion Hankins was the only back they used, and he’s a long shot to make the roster. Imagine what’ll happen once D’Andre Swift gets involved. The possibilities become much scarier. Williams has to feel at least a little vindicated from the evening. He got to show that he can play the position like a professional.
Aug 10, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson on the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Ben Johnson arrived with a reputation. He had three years of glittering success as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions. Caleb Williams was aware of it, having seen it in action in two games. Many chalked it up to his superb ability to generate a ground attack and pair it with perfectly-timed play action. In the past few months, Williams has dug deep into the playbook while taking direct instructions from Johnson. It hasn’t taken him long to realize the true essence of what makes the new Chicago Bears head coach a walking cheat code.
Sure, the run scheme is great. It’s already yielding big results in training camp. The same goes for the play action and the craft route designs in the passing game. However, all of that derives from one of Johnson’s core principles: running different plays from the same formation. In other words, the goal is to lure defenses into a false sense of security. The Bears have certain looks they present. Normally, those looks would lead to a particular play. Johnson’s goal is to run multiple different plays out of the same formation, leading to rampant defensive confusion.
Williams raved about it to Courtney Cronin of ESPN.
Caleb Williams has found a coach who emulates his game.
One thing that makes the quarterback so maddening to defense is he’s not easy to predict—his ability to improvise borders on the preternatural. He can feel defenders around him and has the speed and agility to slip out of danger to make a big play. Now you put him in the hands of a coach who is just as unpredictable with his formations and calls, and you have something defenses consider nightmare fuel. At least with Jared Goff in Detroit, you know he’d always be in the pocket. That small consolation is no longer on the table. Caleb Williams will benefit from what Johnson can do with his misdirections, and couple it with his ability to make things happen on the fly. It can be so unfair. We’re talking Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes types of symmetry. It can be that good if things coalesce as hoped.
Dec 22, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) runs onto the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Pass rusher has been one of the hottest topics for Chicago Bears fans going into this season. They feel the position isn’t strong enough. Not if they want to take down a loaded division. Montez Sweat is good. Everybody else at defensive end comes with questions. Dayo Odeyingbo isn’t known for high sack numbers. Austin Booker is having a great preseason, but is totally unproven in real games. The Bears feel like they’re one injury away from a serious crisis. That is why people have pushed for GM Ryan Poles to make a bold move, with Trey Hendrickson being one of the most popular names mentioned.
It is well-documented that the Pro Bowl defensive end is at a contract impasse with the Cincinnati Bengals. Nothing has been resolved for months. Still, many felt the two sides would eventually reach some agreement. Instead, things just tumbled off a cliff. Reports surfaced that the Bengals have started listening to trade offers for their star pass rusher. Three teams are already involved, and it isn’t crazy to think the Bears are or eventually will be.
With contract talks at an impasse, the #Bengals are listening to trade offers for perennial Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson, per me & @TomPelissero.
It’s unclear if the NFL sack leader will be playing elsewhere in 2025, and a trade will be a real challenge. But time will tell. pic.twitter.com/WaFX601ew2
The #Panthers, #Browns and #Colts are among the teams that have shown interest in trading for #Bengals All-Pro Trey Hendrickson, per multiple sources.
An in-division and in-state trade is highly unlikely and any deal will be tough regardless. Cincinnati is believed to want an… pic.twitter.com/DHPnCuPNki
He is 30 years old. There is no telling how many great seasons he has left. NFL players normally don’t get past 33 before they regress. So at most you’re looking at three more years. Trey Hendrickson is looking for big money. We’re talking $30 million per year. The Bears can find the cap space to make that work, but is it worth it? Cincinnati will want at least a high draft pick (likely a 1st) for him. They won’t get it, so it’ll hover around a 2nd and change. Poles already proved he’d do such a trade with Sweat, but he was three years younger. This comes down to whether the Bears feel his addition to the roster makes them Super Bowl contenders.
If so, the decision is easy. There are reasons to think both Hendrickson and Cincinnati would be interested. A trade reunites him with Dennis Allen, who developed the defensive end in New Orleans. It also puts him in the NFC, where the Bengals wouldn’t have to see him after this year. The odds don’t favor it, but then again the same was said about Khalil Mack.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson relays a play call to quarterback Caleb Williams during a team practice at Soldier Field.
Developing a quarterback isn’t easy. If it were, many head coaches wouldn’t have been fired after drafting one they liked. It is incredibly difficult to accomplish. The Chicago Bears know this better than any team in recent memory. Since 1999, they have drafted five quarterbacks in the 1st round. Four ended up being disappointments (Rex Grossman, Mitch Trubisky, Justin Fields) or outright busts (Cade McNown). Caleb Williams is the latest of the bunch and already has the media crosshairs on him after what many felt was an awful rookie season. It wasn’t, but the fact remains he must improve. That is why the Bears hired Ben Johnson as the new head coach.
Part of his process in helping Williams is by doing something many coaches don’t bother with: setting a statistical goal. No, it isn’t a set number of yards or touchdowns or as few interceptions as possible. It is far simpler. Johnson wants Williams to aim for a 70% completion percentage. To him, this is the best indicator of an efficient quarterback. So far, Williams hasn’t gotten there in training camp.
“I don’t have the exact number but we’ve been underneath that bar, which, that happens,” Johnson said. “We’re learning; we’re growing.
“I think, early on,we were probably 55 (percent). It’s gotten better as camp has gone on but we haven’t hit that threshold as often as we would like.”
Does this mean it’s time to panic?
Not at all. Adam Hoge of CHGO has kept track of this metric since Johnson first mentioned it. Something noteworthy has taken place over the past week.
The good news is that Williams is still having his best week of practice. After accounting for drops, throwaways and defensive penalties, I have his adjusted completion percentage above 80 percent in all three practices this week.
Ben Johnson used simple math to help his quarterback understand.
Yes, big plays are fun and exciting. They can often prove to be turning points in a game or season. However, they’re also extremely hard to come by in the NFL. Defenses are way too smart and talented at this level to allow them often. Williams lived off of them in college because they were easy to get. He never quite grasped that such opportunities are limited at this level. Ben Johnson uses simple math to illustrate that winning in the NFL comes through attrition. Stringing completions together is a great way to wear defenses down. Once fatigue starts setting in, mistakes increase. That is when the big plays become possible. It’s not a coincidence that the best quarterbacks in the league often hover between a 68-70% completion percentage. If Williams fancies becoming one of them, he must start operating how they do. It seems he finally understands that.
