Caleb Williams leaves Bears preseason decision entirely up to Ben Johnson

Williams was asked Tuesday whether he has a preference when it comes to getting preseason snaps, and the third-year quarterback made it clear he'll leave that decision entirely in the hands of coach Ben Johnson.

"I don't have a preference," Williams said. "Whatever coach says, I treat practice like it's a game."

That approach has become an important part of Williams' preparation entering his second season in Johnson's offense. Rather than viewing preseason games as the only opportunity to simulate regular-season intensity, Williams is attempting to create that same mindset during every training camp practice.

"Getting into that mindset is really important, and being able to snap in and out of that is really important," Williams said. "Whenever coach tells me that I'm going to play is when I'm going to play, and if I don't, I don't."

The question of whether Williams needs preseason snaps is an interesting one for the Bears this summer.

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Preseason reps may not be as important for Caleb Williams in 2026

This isn't the same situation Chicago faced a year ago, when Williams and Johnson were installing a new offense and trying to develop their quarterback-coach relationship. Williams now has a full season in Johnson's system behind him, and the Bears have continuity throughout much of an offense that helped them win the NFC North in 2025.

There's also the frustrating string of injuries the Bears are dealing with.

Chicago has already been hit with several significant training camp injuries, most notably Coby Bryant's knee injury that required surgery and could keep him out for the entire regular season. Luther Burden III is also sidelined with a groin injury, although the Bears remain hopeful he'll return around the start of the regular season.

Keeping Williams out of harm's way would certainly be understandable.

But there is still value in live game reps, particularly for an offense trying to become even more consistent in Year 2 under Johnson. The Bears open their preseason schedule Saturday against the Cleveland Browns.

"I'm going to keep treating practices, our scrimmages, and our joint practices like games," Williams said.

Caleb Williams still doesn't know if he's playing vs. Browns

And as for whether Johnson has already decided how much his starting quarterback will play? Williams isn't pretending to have the answer.

"I don't know what's going on in Bossman's mind."

Whether he gets preseason snaps or spends August watching from the sideline, the objective doesn't change. Williams needs to enter Week 1 prepared to build on a 2025 season that established the Bears as legitimate contenders.