A day after Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams said, “I would love to get out there and play” in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday in Canton, Ohio, coach Matt Eberflus said he broke the bad news to Williams gently, Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Well, not really.
“‘You’re not playing,’” Eberflus said when asked about how he told Williams. “Just that.”
There was no need for a long explanation — the decision was that easy. Eberflus, in fact, confirmed the expected game plan — that no starters will play against the Texans in the preseason opener. Backup Tyson Bagent will start at quarterback. Brett Rypien and Austin Reed also figure to play.
The Hall of Fame Game is a timely honor for the Bears’ organization, with three former Bears players being enshrined — kicker returner Devin Hester, defensive tackle Steve McMichael and defensive end Julius Peppers. But as part of the training camp/preseason process, it’s unnecessary — a too-early opener to an NFL preseason that is becoming less and less of an integral part of the preparation for the regular season.
There is great anticipation of seeing Williams take his first snaps in an NFL game, as there should be. He’s the No. 1 overall pick in the draft — the best quarterback prospect the Bears have drafted in the Super Bowl era and maybe ever.
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