Caleb Williams plays entire 1st half in Bears preseason finale vs. Chiefs, resulting in 10 points

Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune on Aug 22, 2025

Published in Football

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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and the starters saw an entire half of action Friday night in the preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The results were mixed. The offense punted on its first two possessions. Williams led the Bears 61 yards for a field goal on possession No. 3 before finishing his night with a touchdown drive against Chiefs backups.

Things got off to an ominous start. Williams fumbled an exchange with receiver Olamide Zaccheaus on his first play from scrimmage. A false start on the next snap sent the offense back even farther before the Bears eventually punted. The second possession didn’t go much better, although the Bears did pick up one first down.

By the time coach Ben Johnson pulled his starters, the offense had totaled 165 yards, although nearly half of those came on the touchdown drive against backups just before halftime. Williams finished 11 for 15 for 113 yards with a touchdown pass to receiver Rome Odunze. Williams also ran for 18 yards on two carries.

The touchdown drive came in a two-minute, end-of-half situation. Odunze helped the Bears get deep into Chiefs territory after making a cutback to pick up 37 yards to the 3-yard line. On the next play, Williams zipped a touchdown pass to Odunze.

The starters exited the game with the Chiefs leading 20-10 at halftime.

Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent (20 for 28, 212 yards, 3 TD) led a game-winning, fourth-quarter drive capped by a six-yard touchdown pass to Jahdae Walker with 3 seconds to play as the Bears won, 29-27.

Williams’ performance came five days after he threw for 107 yards and a touchdown Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills. The Bears will have more than two weeks to prepare for the Sept. 8 season opener against Minnesota.