Why Caleb Williams isn't playing for Chicago Bears in Hall of Fame game

Caleb Williams will not make his Chicago Bears debut against the Houston Texans in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday.

Williams has long been considered a generational prospect, even after suffering a drop in performance following his Heisman Trophy-winning 2022 campaign. The Bears made him the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and Williams has reportedly dazzled in training camp .

However, the 22-year-old must wait to make his NFL debut. The rookie quarterback , along with his fellow starters, will not play in the Hall of Fame Game at Canton, Ohio.

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Bears head coach Matt Eberflus confirmed the decision. He also announced second-year quarterback Tyson Bagent, who went undrafted before going 2-2 in relief of Justin Fields last season, will start against the Texans.

With Williams reportedly starring throughout offseason training meets, Eberflus also refused to comment on whether the rookie will start at Buffalo in the Bears’ second preseason game. He suggested Williams’ availability will be considered from “week to week”.

Before training camp kicked off, Eberflus suggested Williams would play between 45 and 55 reps in the preseason. After facing the Texans, the Bears travel to the Bills before facing the Cincinnati Bengals at home and the Kansas City Chiefs on the road on their preseason slate.

“I do know that we're getting a lot of good reps in practice, those are also equally as valuable, and the Cincinnati work is going to also be equally as valuable as those games because there you can run some more things and you're doing some different things there,” Eberflus said. “It's good-on-good there, too.”

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On Williams’ development, Eberflus added: “He's really made some big strides here. We're really talking about a massive amount of reps in the first eight or nine practices that we had, because we have it set up for the walk-throughs prior to practice, as you saw today, and then also in the evening we had a massive amount… His way is to know the scheme, know his fundamentals, know it cold, and keep operating that way.

“To me, he's really starting to pick up his leadership too. Because now he feels comfortable in the offense, you can really start to see him coach other guys, encourage other guys, bring guys together, which he has done in the past, and that's a good sign too.”

During the eighth practice on Monday, Williams orchestrated a two-minute drive that culminated with a touchdown to rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze . The quarterback believes he is moving toward being ready to start against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1.

“I think I'm on track to be ready,” Williams said. “Exactly where I need to be and where they want me to be. I'm excited. Every day I wake up, I'm learning something new. Getting ready for the season, preseason and these next practices. Very excited, still progressing.

“But we're towards the end of install right now for this portion, which is very exciting. To think that not too long ago, I didn't really know anything about this offense, and now I know a lot more than I did. So, progressing, excited, and ready to go.”