The Chicago Bears defeated the Buffalo Bills 33-6 on Saturday, in a preseason game the Bears were in control of since the opening kickoff.
As this game saw extended playing time for players actually expected to hold meaningful spots on the team’s 53-man roster this season, a look at the Bears who improved their stock on Saturday.
4. Khalil Herbert
Arguably the biggest takeaway from the Bears’ preseason win over the Bills was the usage of Khalil Herbert. When the Bears signed D’Andre Swift, the thought would be that he would be limiting how often Herbert got on the field. However, if the Bears’ first drive with Caleb Williams was any indication, the team may be using him just plenty.
The Bears played as many starters as possible to give Williams the most realistic view of what he will be doing on Sundays this season. Swift started and had a big 42-yard reception, however, he played just two snaps. Herbert got five snaps on the first drive with Williams.
This shows that they will ensure that these backs are swapped out in the middle of drives during the season. Swift will play sporadically. Swift did not even see the field during the second drive, and Herbert saw even more time with Williams.
Maybe this is all because they are hiding what they think they have in Swift. Still, they are not going to waste snaps with the top pick on players who will not be playing with him much. Herbert is going to have a much bigger role than some fans thought.
3. Coleman Shelton
Just like Khalil Herbert, the snaps with Caleb Williams matter in the preseason. Or, for Coleman Shelton, we could say that snapping to Caleb Williams matters. The Bears wanted Ryan Bates to be their starting center.
However, between bad snaps by Bates, and an injury to him and Nate Davis, this has not come to fruition. The Bears have mostly had to play Bates at guard, and Coleman Shelton not only has more experience at center, he has more experience in a Shane Waldron offense.
So, the first person to snap Caleb Williams in his NFL career was Coleman Shelton. That should be the same when the preseason kicks off. The Bears need to make things easy for Williams. Swapping a center in and out is not only a different way of snapping the ball, there is communication and a flow of how the two have to play together.
If Bates played today, maybe there would still be a competition. However, Shelton has mainly worked with Williams, and when he started today the offense looked fine. It is not broken, so they do not need to mess with Williams’ center anymore.
2. Austin Booker
The Chicago Bears really need to find some pass-rush help. With Montez Sweat and Jacob Martin sitting we got to see fringe roster guys such as Dominique Robinson, Austin Booker, and Daniel Hardy.
Of the three, Booker was the one to make the most of his opportunities, compiling 2.5 sacks. Now, this is a great development, but it is worth noting he did not sack Josh Allen, and one of his sacks came somewhat late into the fourth quarter.
Also, Booker did not start over Dominique Robinson, showing the rookie has to climb the depth chart. He just did that today. It was expected, and it was going to happen eventually, but after his first sack led to 1.5 more, Booker will officially be ahead of Dominique Robinson on the depth chart and will be the first backup if Sweat or DeMarcus Walker gets hurt.
1. Caleb Williams
This one had to be touched on. Yes, it is just the preseason. The Bills have injuries, they have moving pieces on their defense this year, and they were resting some guys. Still, Caleb Williams showed everything you would want to see in his preseason debut.
First, it is all of the routine things such as getting the plays in, the snaps off, and getting the line calls right. Then, it was the playmaker mode. Williams hit the quick passes when he needed to, but when he needed to scramble and push the ball down the field, he did that as well.
His best play was a 26-yard dart to Cole Kmet where he rolled out and threw a perfect pass towards the sideline. Williams also looked good in the pocket. As noted, he scrambled to throw before run, but he also made a few big plays with his legs, moving the chains.
