(670 The Score) The Bears beat the Bills, 33-6, in their second preseason game Saturday in Buffalo.
It marked the much-anticipated preseason debut for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears' starting core. Here are five takeaways from Chicago's exhibition win.
Strong start for Caleb
The goal for Williams’ preseason debut was fairly simple. The Bears wanted to see him lead a clean operation. Anything more than that would certainly be welcome.
Williams surpassed expectations during his first exhibition action, going 4-of-7 for 95 yards on two drives. He led the Bears’ starting offense to 142 net yards and a pair of field goals by kicker Cairo Santos.
Williams’ first throw was a strike to top receiver DJ Moore for a 12-yard gain. He then hit running back D’Andre Swift for a 42-yard dump-off that led the Bears into Bills territory.
Williams’ best moment of the day came on a rollout to the right as he threw across his body for a 26-yard completion to tight end Cole Kmet. It was the type of impressive throw from Williams that showcased both his comfort extending a play and raw arm talent.
The Bears were looking for Williams to lead their starting offense with poise and precision, starting with his pre-snap cadence and assignments, and also take care of the football.
“He's been getting a lot of good reps with our (starting) defense,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said last week. “So, I think it will feel similar to him, but I really feel that when it's live there in the pocket, to be able to move, maneuver in the pocket, ride the pocket, escape on the outside, B gaps, all those things, be able to deliver the ball, keep your eyes downfield and really just the operation of it. Get in and out of the huddle. No pre-snap penalties. Clean operation.”
Williams didn't play during the Bears’ preseason opener on Aug. 1. He and the other Bears starters watched from the sideline, and that could be the case for much of the remaining two preseason games.
Eberflus and the Bears haven’t committed to their plan for Williams to play the rest of this preseason.
Keeping up with the Joneses
Bears receiver/returner/running back Velus Jones Jr. is firmly on the bubble to make the team's initial 53-man roster.
Jones’ performance Saturday in Buffalo underscored the case for and against him to make the team.
In his first preseason action as a running back, Jones rushed six times for 34 yards and a touchdown. The Bears shifted him to running back last week in an apparent audition.
“He’s done well back there,” Eberflus said. “He’s certainly got speed, we know that. He’s very durable. He’s got some good lean mass to him, so he can knock it forward pretty good. He’s got some good acceleration. He’s going to be a threat out of the backfield in terms of the passing game, so I’m excited for him.”
But Jones also muffed a kickoff return in the third quarter. He recovered the ball at the 6-yard line and returned it to the 19-yard line, though it set back the Bears’ series on offense.
A third-round pick of the Bears in 2022, Jones has endured struggles during his first two NFL seasons. He has been an inconsistent performer at both wide receiver and in the return game.
Playing running back might be Jones’ last chance to make the Bears’ roster, though he faces an uphill run to secure his place.
Pass rushers make their mark
Bears general manager Ryan Poles has passed up the opportunity to sign a proven pass rusher opposite of Pro Bowl standout Montez Sweat. Poles' belief is that Chicago has solutions on its roster.
On Saturday, the Bears started third-year pass rusher Dominique Robinson opposite of DeMarcus Walker. Robinson recorded a tackle for a loss on the Bills’ opening series, shutting down a third-and-2 carry for a two-yard loss. Buffalo was forced to punt.
Bears rookie pass rusher Austin Booker also made an impact with five tackles and 2.5 sacks. Third-year pro Daniel Hardy contributed with 1.5 sacks.
The Bears see quality depth emerging at a priority position for their defense.
O-line shuffle
The Bears were a bit hesitant to play Williams due to their offensive line's health, but they allowed him to take the field Saturday despite the continued shuffling among the protection unit.
Bears right guard Nate Davis was out as he's considered week-to-week, and reserve offensive lineman Ryan Bates – the next option at right guard – exited practice Thursday.
The Bears turned to veteran reserve Matt Pryor as their starting right guard Saturday. Braxton Jones started at left tackle alongside left guard Teven Jenkins, center Coleman Shelton and right tackle Darnell Wright.
Up for the challenge
In the second quarter, a pass along the sideline from Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent to tight end Stephen Carlson moved the chains for a first down – or so it seemed. Bills head coach Sean McDermott threw out the challenge flag, and the play was overruled as an incompletion.
In the Bills’ coaching box was a key figure for challenges like that one – former NFL head referee John Parry, who was most recently an officiating expert for ESPN. He was hired by Buffalo this offseason as a consultant on staff.
The Bills’ hiring of Parry was unique and perhaps the start of a new trend around the NFL.
NFL teams welcome in officiating crews during training camp, just as the Bears did this past week with referee John Hussey and his crew. But it’s a considerable asset for the Bills to have a former official in their booth with their coaches.
It will be interesting to see if the Bears and other teams follow suit with a hire like Parry.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.