Caleb Williams took another step toward a possible return on Wednesday, with Ben Johnson saying the quarterback would have been a full participant in a regular practice if the Chicago Bears had gone through a normal session. With Sunday’s game against the Falcons in Atlanta approaching, the Bears are still working through whether Williams is ready to come back after missing three games with a hamstring injury.
Johnson did not confirm a final decision, but he was clear that the team is still balancing health, performance and the bigger picture for the offense. “It’s still fluid, but I feel good about the plan that we have in place at this point,” Johnson said, adding that the Bears will “figure out what’s best for this football team on who plays on Sunday.”
Williams moves closer, but the decision is not final
Williams was injured in Week 2 against the Vikings and has now been out for three games. Wednesday’s walk-through did not provide a full practice setting, but Johnson’s update suggested that the quarterback is moving in the right direction and is at least being considered seriously for Sunday.
That matters because the Bears have not hidden their frustration with how the offense has functioned in his absence. Johnson said the unit has lacked consistency over the past three games and that the team wants a back-to-basics approach on offense. In other words, this is not only about whether Williams can play. It is also about whether his return can help stabilise an attack that has not looked settled without him.
Who else is in the quarterback conversation?
If Williams is not cleared, the Bears will need another plan for Sunday. Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum are the other quarterbacks under consideration, with Johnson stressing that health remains the priority for all three.
“First and foremost, health is the No. 1 priority for all three guys,” Johnson said. He also noted the disappointment of missing a player of Williams’ calibre for multiple games, while stopping short of setting a firm timetable.
There is still no final answer, but the direction of travel is obvious. Williams is getting closer, the Bears are not rushing the decision, and Sunday in Atlanta will reveal whether that progress is enough for him to be back under centre.
