CHICAGO (670 The Score) — Bears head coach Matt Eberflus preaches to his players that what matters most is how they finish. That was the case in their exhibition game Saturday at Soldier Field.
The Bears stumbled out of the gates offensively but responded well while earning a 27-3 win over the Bengals. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams struggled early before finishing his day strong. Here are five takeaways from the Bears’ victory.
Williams flips the script
There was great anticipation for Williams making his Soldier Field debut.
The Bears won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff, which allowed Williams and their starters to line up first against the Bengals’ reserve defense. But Saturday produced mixed results for the 22-year-old Williams and the Bears offense.
Williams was 0-of-3 on the Bears’ opening series, which included an intentional grounding penalty. Chicago went three-and-out on its first three possessions of the game.
The Bears’ fourth series resulted in a field goal from kicker Cairo Santos shortly after a 43-yard defensive pass interference penalty was called on the Bengals on a deep ball from Williams to receiver Tyler Scott.
Eberflus likely didn’t plan for Williams to play a fifth series and work deep into the first half, but that’s the way it unfolded due to the offense's early struggles.
On the first-team offense's fifth and final series, Williams and the Bears flipped the script. While rolling out left, Williams delivered a beautiful ball to rookie receiver Rome Odunze for a 45-yard gain, then capped the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run. Williams bought himself time and extended the play to his left, then tucked it and ran for the end zone.
Saturday was a reminder of the highs and lows that come for a rookie quarterback like Williams. He's a first-year player entering unchartered waters in the NFL. There will be challenges presented each day – and on Saturday they were unfamiliar looks from Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
However, Williams is also an immense talent who has the ability to change a game on any play. On Saturday, he turned around a shaky performance with two spectacular plays.
‘Tony Toe Tap’
On a scramble by Williams toward the right sideline in the second quarter, Odunze planted himself in the back corner of the end zone – or so he thought.
The end zones at Soldier Field are typically bordered by a large swath of white paint to clearly identify the boundary line. But for the preseason, the out-of-bounds lines are narrow lines. Odunze was duped by that inconsistency, believing he was in bounds as Williams threw the ball his way. Instead, he had set himself for a catch out of bounds. The pass was incomplete.
“Man, that was just a mistake by me,” Odunze said. “I thought I was Tony Toe Tap back there. I thought I had at least a foot. You (saw) me, I was confident with it too. A mistake. I got to know where I’m at on the field. Got to have an awareness to be able to do that. Something that I’ll learn from, and you’re going to see me catching passes in the back of the end zone every day for a little bit until I get one right.”
Odunze did deliver quite the highlight in hauling in the 45-yard completion from Williams.
The Bears’ two first-round picks from this recent NFL Draft, Williams and Odunze continue to strengthen their chemistry together.
"We're going to be explosive,” Williams said. “We're two rooks, but we're trying to catch up with the old guys as fast as we can to make sure that we're right there on par with them.
“We're only going to keep growing and keep building this connection."
Herbert gets a lead run
The Bears prioritized running back D’Andre Swift this offseason by signing him to a three-year, $24-million deal shortly after free agency opened.
But Swift didn't play Saturday, leaving fourth-year back Khalil Herbert to handle the starting role in the backfield.
Herbert could be on the roster bubble for the Bears heading into the regular season. He's a talented running back but has a skill set similar to Swift's.
Herbert carried five times for 31 yards Saturday. He had rushed 13 times for 66 yards in the two preseason games prior to Saturday.
The Bears value Herbert as a depth piece, but their decisions at other positions could affect how many running backs they keep. Herbert could be a trade candidate as teams form their rosters ahead of the regular season. The opportunities he has had in the preseason are valuable in some form – whether it’s for the Bears or a potential suitor.
Playing the HITS
Eberflus and his staff had to be pleased with the Bears' success in taking away the football Saturday.
The Bears had a plus-three turnover margin by producing three takeaways and protecting the football themselves. Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga and cornerback Terell Smith had interceptions, while pass rusher Daniel Hardy forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive tackle Keith Randolph Jr.
Williams led a turnover-free operation in his second preseason game, an important step for a rookie quarterback. The Bears had 28 turnovers last season.
Following the Bears’ joint practice with the Bengals on Thursday, veteran safety Kevin Byard made note of the defense’s three takeaways against star quarterback Joe Burrow and Cincinnati’s offense that day.
The Bears then took that mindset to Soldier Field on Saturday and continued a theme they hope carries into the regular season.
Hardy’s impression
The Bears have been eager to see young players emerge in their pass rush rotation, and they've been impressed with what they've seen from the 25-year-old Hardy, who's in his third season.
Hardy had two tackles for a loss and a sack Saturday, a week after he recorded 2.5 sacks in Chicago's win at Buffalo.
“He’s finding a way to win, to do it with the level of urgency that we need when we’re rushing four guys," Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington said. "And he’s in tremendous condition. His conditioning is outstanding.”
Hardy was a seventh-round pick of the Rams in 2022. He spent most of the 2023 season on the Bears’ roster but didn't play in a game.
With his performance in the preseason, Hardy may be working his way onto the Bears’ roster this season.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 .
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