Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams says he would like to play in Hall of Fame Game vs. Texans

“I would say working on my blitz and coverage looks and feeling the umbrella of the defense,” Williams said when asked what he feels he needs to improve before Week 1 against the Titans, “and feeling that out to adjust protection; to adjust whether it’s a run, flip the run into it, flip the protection, get to a quick gain, get to a cover-zero check, however the structure of it works out. Just progressing, and a lot of that comes with seeing it and reps, and that’s why also preseason, those things are so important.”

The opposite side of this argument concerns preserving Williams’ health, a reasonable goal for a team that just traded away a former first-round quarterback in Justin Fields, spent the No. 1 overall pick on Williams and is pinning its future on his shoulders. But part of preparing a quarterback for the pro game is providing them with necessary experience. When Week 1 arrives, the gloves come off.

Williams made an all-but-bulletproof case for his participation in Thursday’s game, but he knows he won’t have the final say on the matter. That will be up to Matt Eberflus.

“I would love to get out there and play,” he said. “It’s pretty awesome to be at Canton, but it’s coach’s decision.”