The Chicago Bears pulled off a comeback in their preseason finale, overcoming a 17-point hole to edge out the Kansas City Chiefs, 29-27. From the very first snap, it was clear that the Bears’ starters were finding their rhythm a bit off. That includes Caleb Williams, too.

Williams’ game quickly became a highlight reel of missteps. It began with a botched snap and handoff, followed by a false start, a throwaway, and a completion that came up short of the sticks. The Bears capitalized with back-to-back three-and-outs, keeping the Chiefs frustrated. Yet, when the red zone finally opened for the Chiefs, Williams managed to show a flash of his potential. During a sharp two-minute drill, he connected with Rome Odunze for their first touchdown.

However, Williams’ performance came under scrutiny during the post-game conference. Reports asked Ben Johnson about Caleb Williams taking a sack after holding onto the ball for nearly five seconds. But he soon flipped Williams’ blunder into gold, saying, “Sounds like good protection.” Johnson isn’t worried about Williams’ sack; he was happy to see Williams’ team come back and win the game. After all, winning matters in the game!

The Bears’ defense had a rough night against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense, conceding 17 points in just three series. Chicago’s pass rush barely registered, and with cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon sidelined, Mahomes dissected the secondary with precision. Ultimately, the Bears’ comeback heroics came from backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.

Fresh off a two-year, $10 million extension, Bagent orchestrated three second-half touchdowns, including the game-winner to undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker. The performance not only showcased Bagent’s poise under pressure but also emphasized the Bears’ ability to rally when it mattered most, leaving the Chiefdom stunned and the City of Fountains buzzing with a late-night thrill. But one thing is sure: Williams is under a lot of pressure.

Caleb Williams under pressure as backup QB continues to rise

In most franchises, a backup’s deal barely makes noise. But in Chicago, it signals a shift in philosophy. Tyson Bagent, once undrafted out of Shepherd, now owns one of the richest backup deals in the league at $16 million. His story mirrors what the Bears’ front office wants to build—hunger, humility, and buy-in. As Johnson told The Athletic, “He does a tremendous job knowing what to do, how to do it, and getting it done.” The preseason tape matched the investment too, with Bagent throwing for 196 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo, outplaying veteran Case Keenum.

However, the front office didn’t hide its reasoning. As GM Ryan Poles said, “One of the worst things that can happen to you in a season is when you see your starter go down and you don’t feel confident with the guy behind him.” Those words echo some of Chicago’s past quarterback nightmares.

At the same time, this isn’t just about safety. It’s also a direct signal to Caleb Williams. The Bears are refusing to hand him anything, even as the first-overall pick. That’s classic Ben Johnson—pushing growth over comfort. Last year’s college numbers don’t matter here; Williams is measured only by what he proves in this Chicago system.

Not only that, this $16 million belief in Bagent and Johnson’s steady gaze on Williams proves one thing: the Bears are daring themselves to rewrite the old script. And for Bears fans at Soldier Field, there’s finally a backup plan worth cheering.