The Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals meet in 2026 NFL Preseason Week 2 with both teams carrying major expectations into the upcoming season. After significant offseason moves, both franchises believe they have the pieces to emerge as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
However, fans will not get to see either of the quarterbacks who sit at the center of those ambitions. Caleb Williams will not play for Chicago, while Joe Burrow will also remain on the sideline for Cincinnati as both coaching staffs prioritize the regular season over preseason evaluation.
For the Bears, head coach Ben Johnson has decided not to expose Williams to unnecessary contact. The Bengals have taken an equally cautious approach with Burrow, with Zac Taylor opting to keep his franchise quarterback out of the remaining preseason games.
Why isn’t Caleb Williams playing for the Bears?
Caleb Williams’ absence is a decision made by Ben Johnson rather than a sign of a new injury concern. The Bears already know what their starting quarterback can do, and there is little benefit in putting their young star at risk in a preseason game.
Chicago’s coaching staff can instead use the matchup to evaluate the quarterbacks fighting for depth-chart positions. Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum and Miller Moss are expected to handle the quarterback duties as they continue competing for opportunities and roster spots. Bagent was sidelined during the team’s preparation for the game, which could create additional work for Keenum and Moss.
Why isn’t Joe Burrow playing for the Bengals?
Joe Burrow will also watch from the sideline, and Taylor has already made the decision that Cincinnati’s starters will not play in either of the team’s final two preseason games. That means Burrow will not see action against Chicago as the Bengals turn their attention toward preparing for the regular season.
The Bengals have plenty of reasons to be cautious with their franchise quarterback. Burrow missed much of the 2025 season after suffering a significant toe injury that required surgery, eventually returning late in the year. With Cincinnati hoping to compete for the Super Bowl, exposing him to unnecessary preseason contact would offer very little reward.
Taylor is also trying to avoid another slow start to the regular season, but that does not mean the Bengals need Burrow to play in August. The coaching staff can address timing, execution and preparation through practices while allowing the veteran quarterback to enter the regular season healthy.
Who will play quarterback for the Bears and Bengals?
With Williams unavailable, the Bears will rely on their backup options. Bagent, Keenum and Moss all have something to prove, making the game particularly important for players trying to secure their place on the final roster.
Keenum brings extensive NFL experience, while Bagent has already shown that he can operate Chicago’s offense in regular-season situations. Moss, meanwhile, is looking to make an impression as he competes for a place on the roster. Chicago’s 2026 preseason opener already showed the value of that depth, with Keenum throwing for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears’ 34-10 win over Cleveland.
Cincinnati will turn to Josh Johnson and veteran Joe Flacco. Flacco’s continued presence in the NFL remains one of the league’s more remarkable stories, and the 41-year-old quarterback continues to compete for opportunities despite having already enjoyed a lengthy career.
