Chicago Bears fans will have to wait at least another week to see rookie quarterback Caleb Williams take his first preseason snaps in a Bears uniform.
Coach Matt Eberflus announced Tuesday that Williams and the other Bears starters won’t play Thursday against the Houston Texans in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Second-year quarterback Tyson Bagent, who started four games as an undrafted rookie last season, will start Thursday.
Eberflus previously said he expects Williams to get 45 to 55 preseason reps. But he said they will determine “week to week” how those will unfold.
That means Williams could get his first snaps in the Aug. 10 exhibition against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bears also have preseason games Aug. 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field and Aug. 22 against the Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo.
Williams said Monday he would like to play in the game but left it up to the Bears.
“I would love to get out there and play,” he said. “It’s pretty awesome to be at Canton, but it’s Coach’s decision.”
Eberflus said the conversation with Williams consisted of simply telling him he wouldn’t play. He understands that fans are eager to see Williams but said the Bears feel good about the number of reps the starters have gotten in padded practices thus far.
“Obviously the passion the Chicago fans have is second to none,” Eberflus said. “It’s the best in the world. That’s why I’m always mindful of decisions we make to make sure that experience is good for them out here. … But you always have to put in the front of your mind the safety and health of your football team to get ready for that first game.”
The Bears and Texans will be the first teams to play in the preseason this year. The game precedes the Hall of Fame enshrinement festivities this weekend. Bears greats Steve McMichael, Devin Hester and Julius Peppers are among the inductees.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans hasn’t confirmed whether his starters, including 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud, will sit out, though local reports said it’s likely they won’t play.
The Bears will hold a split practice Wednesday, with starters practicing in full and those playing in the preseason game going through a walk-through.