Caleb Silences Haters in First Preseason Action of 2025
By Dustin Jones
It’s become trendy to knock the Chicago Bears’ starting QB this off-season, but the doubters will have to shut up this week. Caleb went 6/10 for 107 yards, 1 td, and posted a QB rating of 130 in his first preseason action of the new season. But it wasn’t really about the stats. Caleb looked poised. Calm and collected within the pocket, and worked efficiently within the offense. He got the ball out on time, and made a couple of great passes to his tight ends before finding OZ on a short crossing route that turned into a 36 yard TD to cap off the first drive of the game. This was a 92 yard drive that was executed perfectly, for the most part. Drew Dalman had a holding penalty called on him during a first down run about halfway through the drive. This stood out because it was a penalty that would have killed this Bears offense last season and stalled the drive, but this Bears offense feels different. Caleb and the offense came out the next play and turned a 2nd and 14 into a first down with an 18 yard completion to Colston Loveland. Oh, what a difference having an actual play caller makes! The stat that stood out to me the most from Caleb’s game tonight: 17.8 yards per completion. It’s an admittedly very small sample size, but it’s an indicator, and this is a major increase over his 10 yards per completion last season. Ben Johnson’s offense is about picking up big chunks of yardage, and Caleb is going to thrive because of it.
Other Things That Stood Out To Me
• I will say that I was slightly disappointed when the starting offense came back on the field for that second drive. I would have let the offense go out on a high note. There was nothing to gain from sending them back out there, and the second drive ended up being a bit of a let down.
• Luke Newman is a frickin STUD. When I found out he would be starting tonight I texted my other Four Stars cohosts one simple message, “Luke Newman is going to kill it.” I watched him very closely every play, and that’s exactly what he did. Newman didn’t give up an inch in pass protection, and sought to hit as many people as possible when run blocking. I fuckin love this kid. He has attitude. He has a motor. And he has very solid physical ability. He will be a starter in this league, sooner rather than later.
• Austin Booker continues to impress. He had another sack tonight, giving him four so far this preseason. And on this particular one, he looked like he was shot out of a damn cannon! Booker’s size/speed combination is freakish to fans, and scary to opposing O linemen. He reminds me of former 49ers sack specialist Aldon Smith. Booker is set for a breakout season, and I believe he will lead this Bears team in sacks.
• Luther Burden is very similar to Colin Cowherd’s mouth, ALWAYS open. His route running is so advanced and smooth for a rookie, and his ability after the catch is tantalizing. We got a small taste of that tonight with a subtle juke that turned what would have been a short catch into a nice chunk play for a first down. I still believe it’s going to take him some time to earn opportunities in this offense, but when he gets them, NFL defenses better watch out. Caleb Williams has so many mouths to feed, on top of filling that gaping hole in the middle of Cowherd’s face.
• Speaking of weapons, we got a small look at what these two tight ends can do in this offense. Having two matchup nightmares like Loveland and Kmet on the field at the same time is going to pay huge dividends for Ben Johnson and his offense. They combined for 3 catches for 55 yards tonight, including a big play down the seam on a beautiful pass from Caleb to Kmet that went for 29 yards. These two are going to give NFL defenses fits all season.
• Ian Wheeler just ran in his second touchdown of the game as I’m writing this… and I still don’t think he’s very good.
• I saw Terell Smith go down live and immediately had a terrible feeling. It was a non contact injury, and the replays only looked worse. He was carted off of the field with a towel covering his face. Bears fans are hoping he’s ok, but it really doesn’t look good. When you throw in the fact that we’re already hoping that Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon are good to go for week one, health is becoming a major concern for a secondary that we were all thinking should be a strength of this team. Thoughts and prayers for Terell Smith 🙏
All and all, it was a very solid showing for this Bears team in a preseason beat down of the Buffalo Bills to the tune of 38-0. Honestly, the Bears embarrassed a team that was in the AFC championship this past season. I know, it’s only the preseason, but this team is bringing the intensity and competing hard. The hard coaching and harder practices are paying off. I’m trying not to get too excited about what I’m seeing.
Tune into the Halas Hall Hangover Monday night on YouTube for more Bears vs. Bills takeaways from Four Stars Chicago Sports.
