CalebWilliams

News: 4 days agoWilliams completed two of five passes for 28 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Bears' 27-9 preseason loss to the Bengals on Saturday.

Spin: The third-year signal-caller made his preseason debut and got his night started with back-to-back completions to Rome Odunze and Roschon Johnson, although the Bears accepted an illegal contact penalty that wiped out the latter play. Williams subsequently hit Colston Loveland for 10 yards during a possession that culminated in a Cairo Santos field goal following three straight incompletions. The uneven cameo appearance may well represent the extent of Williams' preseason action ahead of a Week 1 road matchup against the Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 13.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Williams enters his third NFL season after a solid rookie campaign in 2024 followed by a big leap forward in 2025. Williams finished last season no lower than 11th among QBs in pass attempts, completions, pass yards, passing TDs, carries, rush yards, rush TDs and fantasy points per game. While Williams' completion percentage was one of the worst in the league (58%), his dual-threat ability and turnover avoidance (seven INTs both seasons) has led to solid fantasy output. The 2024 No. 1 draft pick has a good supporting cast in playcaller Ben Johnson and a trio of young pass catchers in Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland. Williams is a fringe QB1 with upside for another leap.