What will you be looking for in the Bears preseason game?
The Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills play tomorrow, and each team has already confirmed that the starters will play. So we’ll get to see Caleb Williams, his offensive line, Chicago’s receiving triple threat, Jaylon Johnson, Kevin Byard, T.J. Edwards, and all other healthy Chicago Players. Buffalo’s talented offense, led by Pro Bowler Josh Allen, and their top-ten defense should provide a tough test for the Bears.
I asked our crew to give us the one thing they were most looking forward to seeing in the game, and here’s what we had to say.
Bryan Orenchuk: Caleb Williams. Period. How does he control the offense, navigate the pocket (especially with a shaky OL), and spread the ball around without putting the ball in danger? Getting some efficient ball with a few connections downfield would be a sight for sore eyes!
Mason West: Since I think most people will say Caleb Williams-related topics, I will zig when others are zagging. Offensive deployment. How much 11 vs 12 vs 13 personnel is used? Is heavy TE usage in Waldron’s DNA, or was that more of a personnel decision? Do we see some 21 or 22 with two RBs on the field, a kind of Thunder and Lightning approach? Where do the Big 3 WRs line up? Is Tyler Scott truly the WR4?
Taylor Doll: Caleb Williams is the obvious answer but I’m going to say the D line as a whole. I want to see what Dexter, Billings and Pickens can create from the interior. What Walker, Dom and Booker can create in pass rush and stopping the run. It’s my biggest concern and I would like to see our first glimpse at what it could look like. Also, my dude Rome Odunze.
Sam Householder: Give me one efficient scripted drive from Caleb Williams and the ones, and I will be happy. I want to see Williams throw to Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen and DJ Moore. It will feel like that first bite of ice cream on your cheat day.
Josh Sunderbruch: Anything besides “I want to see Caleb Williams play in a Bears uniform” would be dishonest on my part. Even if it is just a couple of drives, I was to see it happen.
Mongo Peanut: While seeing Caleb Williams and the Three Bears (DJ, Keenan, and Rome) is the obvious draw, I have a lot of confidence that they will find success early and often. To me, the biggest wild card this season is the offensive line. I’m dying to know who is healthy, who is starting, how the new guys play, and how young talent like Jones/Wright have progressed. Seeing them play well on Saturday will help ease concerns going into the regular season.
Jack R Salo: Interior offensive line. The obvious answer here is Caleb Williams, but we’re going to see plenty of him in the regular season and he’s the unquestioned starter. I can’t wait to see the big boy battle in the trenches. Center and Right Guard are up for grabs.
TJ Starman: I want to see the 1st team Bears defense get a decisive stop on the Bills’ opening drive. Like Jack said, the obvious answer is watching Caleb Williams. The other obvious answers are anything else on offense. But with a rookie quarterback and a lot of other new faces, I don’t expect the offense to look pretty on Saturday. The defense however, was building momentum at the end of the last season, and that has led to multiple “top-5” comments from players this offseason. Let’s see them shut down Buffalo from the jump and show there may be some validity to those claims.
Jacob Infante: Caleb Williams, obviously. Aside from that, though, I’ll have my eyes on Austin Booker this week against the Bills. He showed some serious flashes as a pass rusher in the Hall of Fame game, even if his run defense was inconsistent. With him being a raw, traits-based developmental pick in the fifth round, I want to see those tools pop on tape again on Saturday.
Jeff Berckes: I’m just excited to get a preview of what might be featured on the next episode of Hard Knocks…
Editor: JB hosts a Hard Knocks recap show following each first-run episode of the series on our 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel, so stop by to talk about the show with us!
Erik Duerrwaechter: Really, I’m looking forward to how the first team offense looks as a whole, from Caleb Williams to the supporting cast around him. I don’t expect any real glimpses into Shane Waldron’s playbook, instead, a basic script to see how this unit gels as a whole.
Dan Durkin: All of Bears nation’s eyes will be on Caleb Williams. Mine will go there as well. But, I’ll be focused on the number of straight drop backs offensive coordinator Shane Waldron dials up. I have questions and concerns about the offensive line, so this metric will give me an idea of Waldron’s level of confidence in the front five.
Lester Wiltfong: The trenches. The offensive line has been banged up, and the defensive line has depth issues. Another week of struggling up front and Ryan Poles might start working the phones.