Caleb Williams is quickly proving why he was the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The USC product debuted against the Bills last week after skipping the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio. Williams flashed excellence once again in his second preseason match.
The Bears won 27-3 against the Bengals to improve to 3-0 with one game remaining before the regular season begins. Williams even earned some Patrick Mahomes comparisons for the second straight week.
The rookie quarterback played the entire first half for the Bears, scoring his first touchdown of the preseason via an impressive scramble.
Here's a look at Williams' stats and highlights from his preseason performance against the Bengals.
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Caleb Williams stats today
Williams started for the Bears in their home preseason bout against the Bengals. He played the entire first half, and although he started slowly, he wound up completing 6-of-13 passes for 75 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Below is a full look at Williams' stats from his second professional outing:
| Stat | Total |
| Comp/Attempt (%) | 6/13 (46.2%) |
| Passing yards | 75 |
| Passing TDs | 0 |
| Rushing yards | 7 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 |
| INTs | 0 |
| Yards/attempt | 5.8 |
| Passer rating | 64.6 |
The rookie's top play came at the end of the first half when he scrambled out of the pocket for a seven-yard rushing touchdown. He had a couple more notable plays listed below.
MORE: NFL Preseason injury tracker | RB depth charts
Caleb Williams highlights from Bears vs. Bengals
Williams was fairly underwhelming in his second preseason game outside of a few particularly good highlights.
They all came late in the second quarter within about one minute of game time. The rookie quarterback dotted Rome Odunze while running to his left. The 45-yard pass set the Bears up on the 7-yard line.
That's just beautiful 🥹
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 17, 2024
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/JOQoHwRRC5
Caleb dropped it right in the bucket for Rome
— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2024
📺: #CINvsCHI on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/RuOltD9VC2
Williams connected with Odunze again on the next play, nearly getting the rookie duo's first touchdown. Williams was on the move to his right and lasered a pass to Odunze in the back of the end zone.
Unfortunately for them, Odunze was out of bounds.
This should've been a TD. Caleb Williams ability to create and keep his eyes down field is truly elite pic.twitter.com/556JupKCjy
— Dave (@dave_bfr) August 17, 2024
No fret, however, as Williams scored his first touchdown in a Bears uniform two plays later. He scrambled out of the pocket and ran in a seven-yard score to put the Bears up 10-0.
He earned Mahomes comparisons with the run, which completed a eight-play, 90-yard drive in 3:19.
Caleb. Williams.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 17, 2024
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/2YcTQ98uB2
Williams' ability to create may be his best attribute at this point. No play is dead, but he also doesn't bury himself with needless scrambles. Even during his touchdown run, he kept his eyes upfield, hoping to find a target before taking off himself.