What to watch for in Bears’ preseason game against Bengals, including QB Caleb Williams’ opportunity

When exactly did the wait for Caleb Williams begin? It’s been less than four months since the Bears signed him, but everyone knows it’s been longer than that.

For anyone with high expectations for quarterbacks, it had to be November at the latest, when Justin Fields was sputtering as a passer and the Panthers were diving for the No. 1 pick, which would go to the Bears. The big dreamers could have started doing that as early as 2022, when Williams won the Heisman Trophy while the Bears burned through their roster and went 3-14.

No matter how much time has passed, the Bears are gradually unfolding their future, and Williams will play at Soldier Field for the first time on Saturday.

It’s just a preseason game against the Bengals, who have sidelined their starters, and he’ll probably only play the first quarter at most, but every step is vital to the most important person in Halas Hall as the Bears prepare for their regular-season opener on Sept. 8 against the Titans. Everything is riding on Williams this season — and beyond.

Here’s what to watch for from him and the rest of the team on Saturday:

1. Learn the league

Williams did it all at USC, but the NFL is a totally different place. Not only is it a big upgrade in speed and skill, but the style of play is a big change for Williams. He had to work out some cadence issues in the offseason because he primarily used a hand-snapping cadence in college.

Taking snaps at center and running a pro-style offense under coordinator Shane Waldron is a big adjustment. The short, quick operation of the West Coast passing scheme is new to him.

“I don’t think Caleb has done that before — under center, passing on the move, play-action and stuff like that — but I think it works in his favor,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “He’s got all the tools to execute those plays like that.”

Coach Matt Eberflus wants Williams to improve his footwork on snaps under center, which is key to maintaining timing in the passing game, and it will be good for Williams to face the Bengals’ 3-4 defense, which he hadn’t seen in training camp before their joint practice Thursday.

It also helps to be able to work on all of these aspects against a second-tier defense. He won’t have that luxury during the regular season, but getting a little extra breathing room at this stage makes it easier for him to focus on specific areas of development.

2. More information about Odunze

Don’t forget that the Bears also drafted a receiver in the top 10 this year. Most teams figure they’re going to draft an All-Pro when they do that, and there would be a lot more attention on Rome Odunze if it weren’t for Williams’ massive shadow.

Odunze also joined a team with star receivers like Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, but it’s premature to assume he’ll simply fall behind them in terms of targets and production. He could also play longer than those two on Saturday; Williams worked with some of the backup receivers in practice Thursday.

Odunze, who led the NCAA in receiving yards at Washington last season, has been on fire in camp. His work ethic and quick understanding of the offense are reminiscent of Darnell Mooney’s rise as a rookie, but he has much more talent to go along with those traits.

Williams threw the ball to Odunze twice against the Bills last week, with one pass falling incomplete and another being negated by a penalty. Expect Odunze to be more involved and more productive.

3. Davis’ Domination

Right guard Nate Davis is under scrutiny. He said Thursday he didn’t think that was the case, and when asked if Eberflus had said there was an open competition for his job, he said, “I really don’t pay attention to the outside world.”

This isn’t about the “outside world.” This isn’t about social media chatter. This is about growing frustration with the reliability of a player who signed for $30 million over three years and has a very affordable salary cap hit next season if the Bears want to leave.

Davis missed six games last season and was injured several times in camp. He said “things happen,” and that’s true. There are injuries and other situations he can’t control. But Eberflus’ message has been that players lose their starting spots for all sorts of reasons, and ultimately, the explanations are just footnotes in someone else’s story.

Davis has to play and play well. He’s a starter, so he has to make himself felt and eclipse any lingering questions about his availability. He can’t afford to get blown out by a second-line defender. He has to dominate his snaps.

4. Booker continues to climb

Hey Austin Booker, well done, you managed to get 2 1/2 bags last week. Awesome.

Now do it again.

Eberflus said Thursday that Booker was considered to start against the Bengals — “He’s earned it,” he said — and has proven he can give his all at every moment.

The Bears have had pass rushers who haven’t been very effective before, so Booker will need to be consistent. Dominique Robinson had one sack in his regular-season debut, then half a sack in his 27 games since.

The competition for defensive end snaps is wide open after Montez Sweat’s Pro Bowl selection, especially considering the Bears plan to slide DeMarcus Walker inside from time to time. Booker, a fifth-round pick out of Kansas, seems like a good fit to make the roster, but he needs to continue to climb. It would be a huge bonus for the Bears if he could crack their top four at defensive end.