(104.3 The Score) Bears head coach Ben Johnson wanted to see how his team would handle its joint practice with the Bengals on Thursday before determining roles for the second preseason game Saturday.
Apparently, Johnson felt the Bears needed more work after Thursday's practice. He ran out quarterback Caleb Williams and most of the team's key starters for the first series of an eventual 27-9 exhibition loss to the Bengals in Cincinnati.
Williams was 2-of-5 for 28 yards in his lone series. He led an eight-play, 33-yard drive that culminated in a 45-yard field goal by kicker Cairo Santos, but that series was set back by a holding penalty committed by left tackle Braxton Jones.
The Bears then turned to veteran Case Keenum and rookie Miller Moss at quarterback. Keenum was 9-of-17 for 119 yards, while Moss was 13-of-21 for 103 yards. Chicago's offense never reached the end zone, settling for three field goals.
Bengals veteran quarterback Josh Johnson, playing his 18th year of professional football, led Cincinnati to victory. He was 15-of-23 for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Reserve quarterback Sean Clifford also threw a touchdown pass in the third quarter for the Bengals.
Johnson turned over play-calling duties on both sides of the football to assistant coaches in the second half. Bears tight ends coach Jim Dray did the offensive play-calling, while defensive backs coach Al Harris called the defense.
The Bears worked through an up-and-down practice with the Bengals on Thursday morning outside Paycor Stadium. The effort featured a disjointed performance by Williams and the starting offense.
The Bears were also likely motivated to play their starters Saturday given the structure of their practice schedule. They were without a scheduled full session of work between Thursday and an upcoming Tuesday practice in Lake Forest.
The Bears will head off to Nashville next week for a joint practice with the Titans on Thursday preceding a preseason finale between the teams next Saturday evening in Tennessee.
Chris Emma covers the Bears and the Chicago sports scene for 104.3 The Score.
