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.

The reason is simple. Ben Johnson, the Bears head coach, has opted to rest Caleb Williams and multiple other starters for this game vs. Browns. Johnson’s approach is to prioritize practice volume and health for the stars of the team. As for the Browns, will Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders play vs. Bears?

Hence, Tyson Bagent is likely to start vs. Browns, though veterans like Case Keenum could also see some snaps. The Bears also have rookie Miller Moss, who could try to impress after going undrafted.

Caleb Williams’ spot on the Bears is secured

In the Browns’ case, Watson and Sanders are battling it out to see who’s the starter come regular season. For the Bears, this is not the case as Williams is firmly established as the QB1 of the team.

In 2025, Williams had 3,942 passing yards, alongside 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. However, his big debt is to improve his completion percentage, which was only a 58.1% last year. Williams also helped in the running game, adding 388 yards and three touchdowns with his legs.

Bears’ preseason schedule

The Bears will face three AFC opponents during their preseason and two of them will be away from home. After a Soldier Field debut, they’ll travel to Cincinnati and then to Tennessee to finish their preseason endeavors.

“Bears wide receiver Luther Burden, who suffered a groin injury Saturday, is currently expected to miss about a month, sources tell,” the reporter revealed on X. “The hope is that he’ll be back and available for Chicago’s season opener vs. the Panthers, per sources.”

DJ Moore’s departure to the Buffalo Bills opened the door for Burden to become one of the Bears’ primary weapons in the passing game alongside Rome Odunze. Ben Johnson hopes to have him at full strength as Chicago looks to become a contender in the NFC North once again.

The Williams-Burden connection

After being selected by the Bears with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Luther Burden quickly established strong chemistry with his quarterback. Operating largely out of the slot and displaying elite yards-after-catch ability, Burden posted impressive efficiency numbers while hauling in nearly 78% of his targets.

In his 2025 rookie season, Burden recorded 47 receptions on 60 targets for 652 receiving yards (13.9 yards per catch) and 2 receiving touchdowns across 15 games (5 starts), complemented by 6 rushing attempts for 37 yards, thus becoming an important weapon for Caleb Williams.

The confidence placed in Burden

It is clear that Burden’s injury could become a major headache for the Bears. Ben Johnson knows this season could be a pivotal one for the wide receiver, whom he sees as a player with many similarities to the likes of Amon-Ra St. Brown.

“St. Brown in Detroit, who I have a strong affinity for, he plays the game the same way. I feel that from Luther,” Johnson said recently to the press. “He wasn’t a full-time starter for us a year ago, but the snaps that he did have, he’s got that competitive edge and desire to be great, and it’s carried over into the spring and summer as well.

“He’s been a regular in our building, working with our strength staff. He wants to be the most conditioned player on the team. wants to be one of the strongest receivers on the team and just continues to soak in all the knowledge.”

Which games will Burden miss?

The Chicago Bears have three preseason games ahead of them, which will serve as preparation for their big Week 1 debut against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.

• vs Cleveland Browns, August 15
• at Cincinnati Bengals, August 22
• at Tennessee Titans, August 28

With quarterback Caleb Williams emerging as one of the league’s brightest young stars, the Bears have become one of the NFL’s most talked-about teams. Williams has been featured prominently throughout the offseason, drawing national attention as Chicago prepares for another season with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.

That growing spotlight became part of an interesting discussion this week after Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen joked that motivating his own players is easy because all the attention seems to be focused on Williams and the Bears.

Ben Johnson responds to Liam Coen’s comments

Liam Coen joked that he barely sees anything about the Jacksonville Jaguars whenever he visits the NFL’s official platforms. “I look at the NFL website, and see if there’s anything on the Jaguars. I think I’ll see 40 pictures of Caleb Williams. And nothing on us! It’s beautiful.”

Ben Johnson was asked about those comments and responded with a surprising level of honesty. “Well, we’re the No. 1 regression candidate, so I think we’ve got plenty of motivation ourselves. We’ve talked about Caleb in the past. He’s used to handling a lot of attention, so I’m not worried about that.”

Rather than dismissing the criticism or the attention surrounding his quarterback, Johnson acknowledged that expectations have dramatically increased after Chicago’s breakout season.

Bears embracing Super Bowl expectations

Ben Johnson’s comments reflect the reality facing the Bears entering 2026. They’re no longer viewed as an up-and-coming team. After winning the NFC North and reaching the playoffs, the Bears are expected to contend for a Super Bowl, placing a different kind of pressure on Williams and the rest of the roster.

For Johnson, however, that pressure can be used as motivation. Instead of worrying about the spotlight surrounding his young quarterback, the Bears head coach believes the biggest challenge will be proving last season was only the beginning rather than a one-year breakthrough.

Johnson, widely recognized as one of the NFL’s premier offensive minds, unlocked Williams’ potential in their first season together. Williams set a Bears single-season passing record with 3,942 yards, throwing 27 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions. Now entering Year 2 of the system, Williams notes that faster pre-snap reads and increased operational comfort will allow Chicago to play with more dominance while minimizing unnecessary risks.

“It’s gonna be really exciting. It’s gonna be really fun to watch. It’s going to be more entertaining than last year,” Williams said on Tuesday. “Hopefully not as much of a heart race. It’s gonna be a little more entertaining throughout the whole game. You can feel it. You can see it. The confidence … It’s all three [phases] combined.”

Reimagining the passing game

Despite receiver DJ Moore departing for the Buffalo Bills during the offseason, Chicago’s offense remains formidable.

Rome Odunze steps seamlessly into the WR1 role after showing star flashes during his second year. Beside him, sophomore Luther Burden III—who surged in the second half of 2025—and veteran Kalif Raymond provide reliable speed and route diversity.

Fortunately for Williams, Ben Johnson’s offensive philosophy is famously versatile. The system spreads targets dynamic across all position groups rather than leaning on a single dominant target:

• Tight ends as focal points: Cole Kmet and second-year standout Colston Loveland form one of the league’s most dangerous two-tight-end duos, posing constant matchup problems over the middle.
• Backfield and offensive line involvement: Creative play-calling frequently involves running backs on wheel routes and screen plays, alongside tackle-eligible and trick plays that keep opposing defenses off-balance.

By distributing the ball across multiple weapons, Chicago ensures no single player bears the entire offensive burden, creating a unpredictable scheme heading into the 2026 campaign.

“I mean, Brady. When you go seven Super Bowls it’s hard to…there’s not anybody close. And so it gets hard to debate that. I put Brady as number one, and for me, Aaron Rodgers is probably number two.”

Williams’ answer immediately drew attention across the NFL because of the second name on his list. While few would be surprised to see Tom Brady at the top, Williams’ decision to rank Aaron Rodgers as the second-best quarterback ever is particularly noteworthy given the history between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.

Who is the greatest QB of all time?

Tom Brady is the greatest QB of all time according to Caleb Williams, but, Aaron Rodgers got a tremendous recognition from the Bears’ star. For more than a decade, Rodgers tormented the Bears while establishing himself as one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history. As a result, many Chicago fans still associate him with some of the franchise’s most frustrating moments.

That makes Williams’ praise especially significant. Rather than letting the rivalry influence his opinion, the Bears quarterback openly acknowledged Rodgers’ greatness and placed him ahead of numerous legendary passers.

The timing is also interesting because Rodgers is preparing for what is expected to be his final NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. As one generation of quarterbacks begins to take over the league, Williams made it clear that he still views Rodgers as one of the defining players in NFL history.

For months, the Bears have explored alternatives to remain competitive off the field while building a long-term home for the organization. Indiana emerged as a serious option because of its willingness to support a major stadium development project and the economic opportunities that could follow.

Now, with the Bears taking a significant step toward making the move a reality, Indiana officials are openly embracing the possibility of welcoming one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises.

Indiana could be the new home of the Bears

Indiana Governor Mike Braun released a statement following the Bears’ vote and made it clear that state leaders view the project as a transformative opportunity for the region.

“Hoosiers, help me welcome the Chicago Bears to our great state! We look forward to building a partnership as strong as the ’85 Bears defense, creating opportunities and economic growth that will benefit our state and the Bears organization for decades to come. An NFL franchise in Northwest Indiana will be an economic boost to the entire region like we haven’t seen before. I also want to thank the entire Chicago Bears organization for their partnership and commitment in making this move a reality. Welcome to Indiana!”

The statement is notable because it goes beyond simply expressing support. Braun’s comments suggest Indiana officials are already treating the project as a realistic outcome and are eager to highlight the economic benefits that could accompany the arrival of an NFL franchise.

While questions remain about timelines and final approvals, the Bears’ vote and Braun’s enthusiastic response have reinforced the growing belief that the organization may be preparing to begin a historic new chapter outside Illinois after more than a century of history in the state.

Following the team’s vote to advance the project, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker released a statement expressing frustration with the process while reiterating his desire to find a solution that keeps the franchise in the state.

“The Bears have built a storied legacy in Illinois for over 100 years but have spent the last six years, and especially the last few months, shifting their position on a stadium location. That has hindered their progress. Today appears to be another instance of that after Illinois leaders have been working with the Bears in good faith. Governor Pritzker has always been clear that he wants the Bears to stay in Illinois and still remains open to a sensible solution that protects taxpayers.”

Chicago will try to convince Bears

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also responded to the Bears’ announcement and suggested that the vote should not be interpreted as a final decision. While acknowledging the significance of the development, he emphasized that several important steps remain before any relocation becomes official.

“Over the last several years the Bears have stated their intentions in multiple jurisdictions, today’s announcement is not surprising. It’s also not surprising that Bears officials have stated this vote does not mean a move to Hammond is a done deal. Without a final site selection, until we see shovels in the ground in Hammond, the City of Chicago will continue to engage in discussions grounded in the interests of our residents.”

The statements from Pritzker and Johnson reveal that Illinois leaders are still actively trying to keep the Bears in the state despite the franchise’s latest move. For now, the path toward Indiana appears more realistic than ever, but local officials are signaling that the battle over the Bears’ future home is far from finished.

Much of that optimism revolves around quarterback Caleb Williams, who has quickly developed into one of the league’s brightest young stars. The Bears came painfully close to reaching the Super Bowl last season, only to fall to the Los Angeles Rams in an unforgettable Divisional Round showdown.

While the focus remains on football, another major storyline could shape the future of the organization. For months, the Bears have explored options for a new stadium, and Indiana has emerged as a serious contender due to the incentives and development opportunities available to the franchise.

Are the Bears leaving Chicago?

The answer appears to be yes. In a major development, Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey and President & CEO Kevin Warren released a statement confirming that the organization is moving forward with plans for a stadium project in Hammond, Indiana.

“Yesterday, the Chicago Bears Board of Directors met and voted to advance our stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected. We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana and the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across the neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city. It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and business.”

The announcement represents a potentially historic moment for one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises. Although the Bears would remain closely tied to the Chicago metropolitan area, relocating their home stadium to Indiana would mark the beginning of a new chapter in team’s history and one of the most significant moves the league has seen in years.

The classic Madden curse has been very popular among social media in the latest years. The Madden curse is a popular superstition that claims that the players who appear on the cover of the game suffer immediate misfortune, whether it’s injuries or declines in on-field performances.

But let’s see how the last 10 cover players performed the season they were given the opportunity to be the face of the NFL‘s most-bought videogame:

• 2026: Saquon Barkley – 1.140 rush yds/ 7 rush TDs/ 4.1 YPC – Wild Card Round exit
• 2025: Christian McCaffrey – 348 total yds/ 0 TDs/ 4 games played – Not in playoffs (6-11 Reg. Season)
• 2024: Josh Allen – 4.306 yds/ 29 TDs/ 18 INTs/ 5th MVP voting – Divisional Round exit
• 2023: John Madden homage, no players.
• 2022: Tom Brady (485 completions/ 5.316 yds/ 43 TDs/ 12 INTs/ 2nd MVP voting) and Patrick Mahomes (436 completions/ 4.839 yds/ 37 TDs/ 13 INTs) – Buccaneers: Divisional Round exit / Chiefs: AFC Game exit
• 2021: Lamar Jackson – 376 completions/ 2.757 yds/ 26 TDs/ 9 INTs/ 1.005 rush yds/ 7 rush TDs – Divisional Round exit
• 2020: Patrick Mahomes – 319 completions/ 4.031 yds/ 26 TDs/ 5 INTs – Super Bowl champion
• 2019: Antonio Brown – 104 rec/ 1.297 rec yds/ 15 TDs – Not in playoffs (9-6-1 Reg. Season)
• 2018: Tom Brady – 385 completions/ 4.577 yds/ 32 TDs/ 8 INTs/ MVP – Lost Super Bowl
• 2017: Rob Gronkowski – 25 rec/ 540 rec yds/ 3 TDs/ 8 games played – Super Bowl champion

How did Caleb Williams play in 2025 to get considered the Madden 27 cover?

Caleb Williams’ sophomore year was an upgrade on his rookie season. While still erratic, he was clutch and guided the Bears to their best season in quite some time. Also, his popularity has been big since his College Football days, and that will go a long way on getting to the Madden 27 cover.

Williams guided the Bears to an 11-6 record, completing 330 passes on just 58.1% accuracy for 3.942 yards, 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a league-leading six 4th-quarter comebacks. The Bears went all the way to the Divisional Round and lost by just three against the Rams.

Has there been any Bears player on a Madden cover before?

Caleb Williams would be the first-ever Chicago Bears player to be on a Madden cover, at least in the United States. Back for Madden NFL 09, the international cover outside of the US featured offensive lineman Roberto Garza, who was on the Bears at the time.

When Williams was selected first overall, expectations were sky-high. While he has lived up to the hype with jaw-dropping individual performances, the organization wants him to refine his execution to protect his longevity and maximize his efficiency.

Bears quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett recently advised Williams to master the “boring” plays. While Barrett is well aware of the young signal-caller’s elite off-script capability, he has urged him to consistently take the open check-downs and intermediate routes that opposing defenses yield, rather than forcing low-percentage hero ball.

“We can be efficient and take what the defense is giving,” Barrett said, per the Chicago Sun-Times. “You don’t necessarily have to put the cape on and make those crazy plays because you already were killing them in the first three quarters.”

Caleb Williams is primed to rewrite the Bears’ record books

Williams is already building his legacy Chicago. The next major milestone on his radar is achieving a 4,000-yard passing season—a benchmark no quarterback has ever reached in the long history of the Bears franchise.

He came tantalizingly close during his breakout 2025 campaign, throwing for a franchise-record 3,942 passing yards alongside 27 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions. Following a promising playoff run that culminated in an NFC North championship, fans believe the sky is the limit for the young star. However, as Barrett noted, reaching that next tier of elite quarterback play requires mastering his rhythm and pacing within the pocket.

The future is incredibly bright for both the franchise and their franchise quarterback. The front office has aggressively surrounded him with premier offensive weapons, and under the guidance of head coach Ben Johnson, Williams has the perfect infrastructure to build a lasting dynasty for Chicago in the NFC North.