How to navigate the preseason is always a debate held among fans and pundits when it comes to Chicago Bears starters. If the season gets off to a rough start, the reps are pointed to as needed and perhaps the reason why things didn't get off to the expected start. The flip side of this is risking players to injuries in games that don't matter when your coaching staff is actively attempting to be as bland as possible to keep opposing teams from learning anything or gaining an edge. With this in mind, it is clear that there is no perfect answer.
Still, it is a fair question to ask and one that Ben Johnson has already hinted at an answer for in a presser early in the week. Johnson's comments come courtesy of BearsTalk and give a clear direction in which the head coach is leaning.
"Ben Johnson
“I think for all of our starters, to be determined and see what it looks like and that’s how we’re going to approach it in the next couple of weeks. We have to play it smart and make sure they’re as healthy as they can be going into the season. We’re looking at the numbers and the quality of reps.”"
While Johnson is very careful not to give a direct answer here, it is fair to take away from the comments that the head coach is looking at giving the starters limited reps. It would be a welcome sight for Chicago fans to see Williams and the starting offense to give the team a preview of things to come in the regular season.
In a moment when the fanbase is starving for meaningful reps, it makes a level of sense to be excited around the potential preseason debut of Williams and an offense that is facing lofty expectations after an offseason of reshuffling.
Bears Head Coach Hints at Upcoming Caleb Williams Preseason Decision
It makes sense to bolster the confidence of Williams a bit by getting reps in the preseason and starting the ball rolling. It is a leap from the intensity of practice and helps prepare starters to get ready for another leap that will happen in Week 1 when things will undeniably speed up while Chicago is facing lofty expectations.
Williams getting a handful of reps, at least the first two weeks of the preseason, to get back on the field is easy to argue as beneficial. The only downside is the injury risks that you hope never become an issue for reps that are meaningless apart from the personal benefit.
With this in mind, it is noteworthy that it appears Johnson is leaning towards giving the offense an opportunity to get on the field in the preseason. It is an understandable decision that fans will benefit from getting a chance to watch their star quarterback earlier than expected.
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