A key factor that could determine Bears QB Caleb Williams’ preseason status against the Bills

Ever since the Carolina Panthers posted the NFL’s worst record last season, handing the Chicago Bears the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, fans in the Windy City have been eagerly awaiting the chance to see former USC quarterback Caleb Williams make his NFL debut. But even though the preseason has officially begun, Bears fans may have to wait a little longer to get their first look at the rookie quarterback who reportedly “kicked ass” at training camp in Lake Forest.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus hasn’t been shy about discussing the parameters for Williams to get on the field during the preseason. When training camp began, Flus noted that the plan was to have Williams play somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 snaps during the preseason, but insisted that live practice repetitions were just as valuable — and much safer — for the prized rookie. But with the instability the Bears have seen on the offensive line so far this summer, Williams’ debut could be delayed by another week.

“Eberflus said the health of the team will be a factor in who plays in those games, as it remains to be seen whether rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will make his NFL debut against the Bills if the offensive line continues to be without multiple starters,” says Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com.

Regardless of the status of the offensive line, Williams wouldn’t have made his debut in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, last Thursday. But this Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Bills remains very much in play.

Who will be the Bears’ Week 1 starters on the offensive line?

If Matt Eberflus and the Bears staff had their way, it’s likely the five-man combination Chicago would have settled on before Week 1 of the regular season would be Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright at tackle, Teven Jenkins and Nate Davis at guard, and the winner of the training camp battle between Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton for the starting center job. So far, Caleb Williams hasn’t had much opportunity to play behind that group.

Nate Davis, Darnell Wright and Teven Jenkins all missed playing time due to injuries, allowing rotation players like Ja’Tyre Carter and Jerome Calvin to work with them, while forcing the Bears to rotate and play Coleman Shelton and Ryan Bates together at center and right guard, respectively. The instability of the offensive line has led to another Bears training camp where the defense regularly gets the better of the offense.

Offensive line play has been an issue for the Bears since the previous regime, but with some notable offseason additions, there was hope that improved depth and year-over-year progression would put Caleb Williams in a favorable position to begin his rookie season. But for now, as Chicago’s staff continues to search for the right combinations, Williams could find himself in the same position as Bears fans… waiting.