Since the start of the Chicago Bears Training Camp a couple of weeks ago, the biggest question that needed to be answered first was Caleb Williams' playing time during his first preseason as the team's starting quarterback.
While there is an importance to Williams playing in the preseason and getting acclimated with the speed of the game at the NFL level, the Bears' have unique preseason schedule this season given their inclusion in the NFL's Hall of Fame game on Thursday.
The Bears game against the Houston Texans gives Chicago an extra preseason game, making it unlikely that Williams would take the field on Thursday. Despite Williams expressing a desire to play in the game, the Bears made it official on Tuesday as Williams will not be playing in the game against the Texans on Thursday.
Coach Eberflus announced that starters will not be playing in the Hall of Fame Game Thursday pic.twitter.com/tjBDrU1opS
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 30, 2024
Matt Eberflus announced on Tuesday that Williams, along with the Bears' first-team offense, will not be playing against the Texans on Thursday. Starting in place of Williams at the quarterback position on Thursday will be second-year quarterback Tyson Bagent.
Caleb Williams will not play in the NFL Hall of Fame Game.
This is an important preseason for Bagent, as he proved last season that he was capable of being a backup quarterback on a bad team. This season, Bagent will need to prove to be capable of being the backup quarterback on a team with expectations of winning. There is a difference as the performances that Bagent had in victories such as the Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders last season likely wouldn't be graded with as many high remarks this season.
For Williams, the expectation is that he will make his NFL Preseason debut when the Chicago Bears face the Buffalo Bills on August 10.