While offseason activities are heating up and fans are prepping for Chicago Bears training camp later this summer, the countdown has officially begun for when we get to see rookie quarterback Caleb Williams take the field in his first preseason action.
With the Bears competing in this year's NFL Hall of Fame Game, though, maybe we don't quite know when we'll first see Williams in action. Those contests are typically reserved for backups while the teams keep any notable name or starter on the bench.
Nevertheless, the full NFL preseason schedule has officially been released for all 32 teams and can be seen below.
The 2024 NFL preseason schedule has now been finalized. pic.twitter.com/KwtNuzp5gl
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 7, 2024
Bears 2024 preseason schedule revealed
Bears vs. Texans - 2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game
August 1, 2024, 7PM CT
Watch: ESPN/ABC
This night is going to be more about Devin Hester, Steve McMichael and Julius Peppers being honored with gold jackets than anything happening on the football field. We won't see the likes of Caleb Williams, C.J. Stroud or any other notable stars.
Prediction: A few guys get gold jackets, ugly football is played, fans are happy to be back
Bears at Bills
August 10, 2024, 12PM CT
Watch: CBS2
In the Bears' second preseason game, we will likely see a couple of series out of Williams. It is unlikely we see Josh Allen on the Buffalo side, though, because this will be the Bills' first preseason game of the year. Maybe, we see a series out of Allen and the Bears' first team defense gets tested. Otherwise, this one should be mostly backups and end-of-roster reserves.
Prediction: Bears 19, Bills 16
Bears vs. Bengals
August 17, 2024, 12PM CT
Watch: CBS2
In the third preseason game for the Bears, this is where we should expect to see the most we've seen out of Williams, D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and the rest of Chicago's star players on both sides of the ball. We'll also probably get a glimpse at Joe Burrow, who returns from last year's season-ending injury.
How much of Ja'Marr Chase or Tee Higgins will we see, if any?
We do know the Bengals have a strong backup quarterback in Jake Browning, who will take advantage of the Bears' reserves in this one. The Bears get a touchdown drive and field goal out of Williams' series, early on, though.
Prediction: Bengals 23, Bears 17
Bears at Chiefs
August 22, 2024, 7:20PM CT
Watch: CBS2
Fans are going to be dying to see Patrick Mahomes and Caleb Williams square off, but with this being the last preseason contest, both teams will probably rest their stars for the majority of the game.
The real question is, does the Bears first team defense hold Mahomes out of the end zone on that initial drive? The answer is, they certainly do. This one ends up being a fun one, in the end, because of so many guys fighting for jobs.
Prediction: Bears 30, Chiefs 26