The Chicago Bears taking three consecutive kneel-downs inside the red zone with a 38-0 lead was on no one’s bingo card tonight. But, on Sunday evening on the lakefront, the Chicago Bears fans were treated to a glimpse of the future—and it was fun.
You can save your breath—or keystrokes— regarding the Buffalo Bills personnel decisions. If you were focused on that, you should probably sit out the whole development conversation anyway.
If you know what you should be watching, the only thing that mattered tonight, especially when the starters were on the field, was the pre-snap operation, the design, and the execution. As far as those things are concerned, Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson, and the Bears earned high marks.
For what it’s worth, I’m either going to look back at this headline like a prophet of some sort or a bozo in January, and I’m okay with that.
Bears First Team Offense Looked Crisp in Limited Action
An eight-yard completion to Colston Loveland was nice. A second down completion to Cole Kmet was even nicer. It was the “haha!” moment for those who doubted why the Bears spent premium draft capital on Loveland in April’s first round of the NFL Draft.
It was also the start of an impressive drive that made Bears fans feel all sorts of uncomfortable and excited.
Structure.
Design.
Execution.
We’re unfamiliar with everything in these parts outside of watching other offenses excel around the league. But, hey, maybe we’re finally taking a step into modern-day football.
Caleb Williams was 5-of-6 for 97 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive for Chicago on Sunday night. Here’s a sweet look at the Williams touchdown score to Olamide Zaccheaus from midfield (but we’re going to talk about the design some more after):
twitter.com/PatrickKFlowers/status/1957239105219367245On that play, Ben Johnson has the Bears lined up with a three-wide receiver set on Williams’ right side, with Zaccheaus and Rome Odunze lined up next to each other in the slot with DJ Moore on the outside. Odunze takes the nickel to the middle of the field off the release, while Zaccheause works a delayed release up the seam.
The safety is in zone, and he initially commits to his left side toward Moore before realizing what is happening in the slot. That mismatch at the line creates enough time for Zaccheaus to have space in his route, allowing Williams to hit him in stride and on time, with his run after catch being created by Odunze clearing the nickel out of the catch space with his initial route.
Bears cap a 93-yard opening drive with a Caleb Williams touchdown to Olamide Zaccheaus!Watch on FOXStream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/iX3Fnrz83q
— NFL (@NFL) August 18, 2025Here’s where I say this: I do not care who played defense for the Bills. This is the type of design and execution we’ve never seen from the Chicago Bears. This is a reason for encouragement.
While the second drive wasn’t as good, the small sample size for the Bears’ first-teamers was still extraordinarily encouraging. Williams finished 6-of-10 for 130 yards, a touchdown, and a 130.0 passer rating.
Here’s one more Xs and Os look:
twitter.com/CHSN_Bears/status/1957235153950187621Again, there are three pass catchers to one side, with an intermediate route up the seam. There’s been a lot of discussion about Williams’ footwork and the changes to it since Johnson took over, and this play features a crisp three-step drop for Williams, with the arm action starting as soon as the back foot hits the ground on the third step.
Nov 10, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) takes the field before the game against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn ImagesIt May Be Preseason, But …
Say what you will, but these numbers are good, regardless of the calendar:
530 total yards 357 passing yards 173 rushing yards 6.5 yards per play 31 first downsYou can say, “It’s only the preseason,” but I’ll say the same. Ben Johnson is not rolling out his regular-season tricks against Buffalo in August. These are just bread crumbs of the offense we’ll see next month.
So, in August, I consider that type of success with a pared-down playbook and only two drives versus the starters to be good.
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 ImagesBears Game Balls
Caleb Williams
Six-of-ten, 107 yards, a touchdown, and a 130.0 passer rating is exactly what we wanted (and needed) to see from Williams tonight, regardless of the setting. Williams’ first preseason action had to look like this, for our sanity, if nothing else. Kudos to the kid, who’s been working hard this summer, regardless of the national banter.
Ian Wheeler
There’s little to no chance that Ian Wheeler sees the grass at Soldier Field during the regular season, but we’re not talking about the regular season tonight. Last year’s feel-good turned feel-sorry story from training camp rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries tonight. Good for him.
Tyler Scott
I thought we were more likely to see Tyler Scott on the side of a milk carton than in the end zone tonight, but here we are. Like Wheeler, I find it hard to believe Scott finds any meaningful playing time next month, but he turned in a solid performance tonight with three catches for 54 yards and a touchdown.
© Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY SportsRequired Reading
Bears Player Grades: Caleb Williams and The Starters Impress In Preseason DebutHence then, the article about bears nightcap hope springs eternal in august was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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