Should the Bears Starters Be Playing in Their Preseason Opener?
The 2025 NFL Preseason begins tomorrow for the Chicago Bears as they take on the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field. Bears head coach Ben Johnson announced on Friday that quarterback Caleb Williams and most of the starters won’t play in Sunday’s preseason opener. Johnson stated that about nine players on offense and nine players on defense would not be playing. The decision raises some questions for Bears fans about why this choice was made, and Johnson made it very simple.
“We have in place a plan for whether it’s pregame or after the game the next day, where the guys aren’t playing, they’re going to be getting a substantial amount of reps that’s higher than those who are playing,” Johnson said in an interview. “We feel very good about this plan going forward, and that’s what we’re going to do.” The Bears would host a joint practice with the Dolphins just days ago, where both teams would get their starters’ reps, and this led Johnson to his decision that it would be enough for the weekend. Now that the starters are not playing in Week One, what will the decision be for the next two preseason games?
While some Bears fans may be upset by the decision and be unable to watch their starters return for the football season, Johnson assures that they will get some reps sometime this preseason. The Bears face the Buffalo Bills next weekend, providing another opportunity for the first team offense and defense to make their 2025 season debut. Chicago will then head to Kansas to take on the Kansas City Chiefs, where it’s unlikely the starters will play as the rookies will be fighting for the final roster spots. Watching the starters play is always fun for fans, but also exposing them to potential injury is a risk that should be heavily taken into consideration. There have already been a couple of injuries so far this preseason, with the Lions losing safety Morice Norris to a game-ending concussion. Johnson should provide more clarity after tomorrow’s game as to when Bears fans can expect to watch Williams and the starters once again.
