Bears Coach Noncommittal on Starters for Preseason Finale

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has not revealed whether quarterback Caleb Williams and other starters will appear in Saturday's preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. The team held a joint practice with the Titans earlier in the week, which may serve as the starters' final tune-up. Last year, the Bears did play their starters in the preseason finale, so their participation remains uncertain.

The Bears' decision on starter participation carries practical weight beyond the exhibition result. Chicago's Saturday night kickoff compresses the team's window for roster decisions, since the 53-man cutdown deadline arrives Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. CT. Players on the bubble face a final audition, and the coaching staff must evaluate performances with less turnaround time than most clubs.

Johnson has maintained ambiguity throughout the preseason, declining to announce plans before either prior exhibition. Williams and the offensive starters did see action in Week 2, while last year's team used the finale as a tune-up for regulars. The Thursday joint practice with Tennessee may have satisfied the staff's need for live reps, but the precedent from 2025 keeps participation a genuine question.