All In Early: Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson to Start First Team vs. Bills in Pivotal Preseason Test
The Chicago Bears are sending a message—and it’s loud, clear, and early. New head coach Ben Johnson has announced that the team’s starters will take the field in Sunday’s preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills, marking a significant moment in what has already been an offseason of change and anticipation for a franchise hungry to turn the page.
For fans, players, and league insiders alike, Johnson’s decision is far more than a routine coaching call—it’s a declaration of intent. In a league where preseason usage is often a tug-of-war between caution and preparation, Johnson has made it clear that for the Bears, 2025 is not a year for half-measures. The starters will play, and not just for symbolic reps or token snaps. According to team sources, Johnson and his staff want to see rhythm, communication, and real-time execution. They want to compete. And they want to do it now.
It’s a bold move for a first-year head coach, but it aligns perfectly with Johnson’s personality and coaching philosophy. Known for his sharp offensive mind and aggressive game-planning during his time with the Detroit Lions, Johnson has never been afraid to challenge convention. His arrival in Chicago was billed as a turning point—a chance to modernize an organization that has struggled to keep pace in a league increasingly dominated by high-powered offenses and adaptable, innovative schemes. If this preseason opener is any indication, Johnson is wasting no time in building that identity.
The spotlight will naturally fall on quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Williams, already viewed as the face of the franchise, will now make his unofficial debut against a Bills defense that, even in preseason form, brings real challenges. It’s a trial by fire—but one that Johnson believes will benefit his young quarterback in both confidence and development. Williams has reportedly taken command of the offense during camp, showing off the arm talent, mobility, and football IQ that made him the most coveted prospect in the nation. But practice speed and game speed are two different things. Sunday will be the first glimpse of how he handles the NFL’s tempo when the bullets start flying, even in a preseason setting.
Around Williams, all eyes will be on the rebuilt offensive unit. The Bears invested heavily in reshaping their offensive line and receiving corps, giving Williams the tools he needs to succeed. Free agent wideout Tee Higgins, acquired in a blockbuster offseason deal, is expected to see snaps alongside veteran DJ Moore, forming a potentially lethal tandem. Second-year tight end Cole Kmet has continued to develop as both a blocker and pass-catcher, and running back Khalil Herbert is poised to take on an expanded role under Johnson’s system. With the starters expected to play at least a full quarter, fans and coaches alike will get a meaningful look at how this new-look offense functions in a real-game scenario.
But the decision to start the first team isn’t just about offense. The Bears’ defense, which underperformed for stretches of the 2024 season, will also see key players hit the field. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has been working closely with a revamped linebacker corps and secondary, seeking to restore the toughness and reliability that has historically been a Chicago trademark. With linebacker Tremaine Edmunds anchoring the middle and rookie edge rusher Dallas Turner showing promise throughout training camp, Sunday’s game offers the first real test of the unit’s cohesion.
The Bills present a formidable early benchmark. Even with Buffalo unlikely to deploy all of its own starters for extended minutes, Sean McDermott’s team is known for its discipline and depth. Their defensive front remains stout, and their secondary—though perhaps in flux due to injuries and offseason departures—still possesses the kind of physicality that will challenge Chicago’s young offensive weapons. For the Bears, this game isn’t about the scoreboard; it’s about how the pieces fit under pressure.
Johnson’s choice to play the starters also reflects a broader cultural shift inside Halas Hall. Gone are the days of passive progression and vague timelines. Johnson has infused the team with urgency. He wants to win. Not eventually—soon. That mindset has permeated every aspect of camp, from conditioning sessions to playbook installation. Players have described a palpable difference in tone and accountability. Practices are sharper. Film sessions are more intense. The message is clear: jobs are earned, not given. Sunday is a step in that direction.
Some coaches around the league prefer to withhold starters until the third and final preseason game, commonly referred to as the “dress rehearsal.” Others, particularly those with established rosters, elect to rest key players throughout August entirely. Johnson’s approach is different, and it speaks to where the Bears are in their rebuild. They aren’t just installing plays—they’re building chemistry, testing combinations, and establishing a baseline of competitiveness. For a roster that features both emerging stars and seasoned veterans, those reps matter.
Still, the decision comes with calculated risk. Injuries are always a concern in preseason, and critics of the approach will argue that the potential downside outweighs the benefit of early exposure. But Johnson appears comfortable with that risk. In his view, the only way to grow as a team is to face live fire together. He’s betting that controlled aggression now will lead to composure and execution when the games count for real.
That doesn’t mean every starter will see extensive time. Snap counts will be monitored closely, and situational players like running backs and edge rushers may rotate quickly to avoid wear and tear. But the core message remains unchanged: the first-team units will play, and the fans will see a true preview of what’s to come in 2025.
Behind the scenes, team officials believe this could be a breakout year for the franchise. With a new coach, a new quarterback, and a revamped roster, there is cautious optimism that Chicago can contend for a playoff spot—if not this season, then very soon. The NFC North remains competitive, but not insurmountable. Detroit is the reigning power, and Green Bay appears to have found its next quarterback in Jordan Love. But the Bears see a window. And they’re preparing to charge through it.
For Williams, Sunday is the first chapter in what the Bears hope will be a long and decorated career. The 22-year-old has handled the spotlight with grace so far, showing poise during press conferences and maturity during team meetings. His teammates speak of his presence as both a leader and a learner—quick to command a huddle, yet humble enough to ask questions and make adjustments. His performance on Sunday won’t define him, but it will offer the first glimpse into how his talent translates against NFL defenses.
For Johnson, it’s a milestone as well. His first game in charge of the Chicago Bears, preseason or not, is a moment he’s earned through years of steady ascent through the NFL coaching ranks. Known for his tactical mind and even-keeled demeanor, Johnson brings a rare blend of modern offensive ingenuity and old-school discipline. His tenure is just beginning, but his fingerprints are already all over this team.
As the Bears prepare to host the Bills, the energy is unmistakable. Training camp practices have been more crowded. Media coverage more intense. Fans more vocal in their hopes and expectations. And now, with Sunday’s game on the horizon, the anticipation is turning into action. The lights will be on. The first-team offense will be under center. And the journey begins—not in theory, but in motion.
This is not the Bears of years past, sleepwalking through the preseason with vague goals and tepid effort. This is a new regime, unafraid to compete, unapologetic in its ambition. Ben Johnson isn’t here to rebuild slowly. He’s here to reframe the Bears entirely.
And it starts with a snap, a huddle, a throw—and the belief that if the foundation is tested early, it’ll hold strong when it matters most.
