Caleb Williams gets extended workout before sitting Bears preseason opener

Williams and several Bears skill-position players who won't play Saturday completed an approximately 42-minute scripted workout before the game, according to the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs.

The session was scripted by Johnson and Chicago's offensive coaching staff, giving the Bears' resting starters another opportunity to get meaningful work without exposing them to unnecessary preseason game reps.

It's also consistent with what Williams said earlier this week about his approach to August.

"I don't have a preference," Williams said when asked whether he wanted to play in the preseason. "Whatever coach says, I treat practice like it's a game."

Bears finding ways to get Caleb Williams meaningful reps

There's an obvious balancing act for Johnson throughout the preseason.

Williams is entering his third NFL season, and his second in Johnson's offense, so this isn't the same quarterback who needed every available rep as a rookie. He has a full year in the system behind him and has spent the summer building on that foundation.

At the same time, Williams isn't a finished product.

There are still details Chicago wants its franchise quarterback to sharpen before Week 1, and completely shutting him down throughout the preseason wouldn't necessarily accomplish that.

A lengthy scripted workout offers something of a compromise.

Williams can work through the offense with many of his regular weapons, focus on timing and execution, and simulate some of the preparation that comes with a game day without taking hits from the Browns.

That's especially valuable considering how aggressively injuries have already hit Chicago during training camp.

Safety Coby Bryant underwent knee surgery and could miss four to six months. Wide receiver Luther Burden III is dealing with a groin injury that is expected to sideline him until the opener. The Bears have also been without cornerback Kyler Gordon for an extended stretch.

There isn't much upside in adding Williams to that list during an exhibition game.

Tyson Bagent gets the preseason spotlight

With Williams watching from the sideline, Tyson Bagent will get an extended opportunity to operate Johnson's offense against Cleveland. Johnson announced earlier this week that Bagent would start the preseason opener and likely play the entire first half.

Meanwhile, Williams can continue doing exactly what he said he planned to do: treat practices, scrimmages and joint sessions like games until Johnson decides he needs actual preseason snaps.

"I don't know what's going on in Bossman's mind," Williams joked earlier this week.

Whatever Johnson has planned for Williams later in the preseason remains to be seen. But Saturday's 42-minute workout offered a glimpse into how the Bears intend to handle their franchise quarterback when he's not playing.