During Friday’s joint practice between the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears at Halas Hall, Bills quarterback Josh Allen was intercepted three times, highlighting a challenging session against the Bears’ defense. Meanwhile, Chicago’s rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL Draft, completed the practice without an interception, emphasizing his poise amid a competitive environment. This Caleb Williams Bears Bills practice session drew comparisons as some viewed it as a statistical win for the Bears.
Allen Uses Practice Time to Test Skills Against Aggressive Defense
Despite the interception count, Allen appeared to embrace the session‘s experimental nature. The 29-year-old quarterback faced a pressured Bears defense eager to capitalize on any opportunity, but his approach was more about learning and adjusting. Allen acknowledged the advantages of practicing against a fresh defense saying,
“It’s new opportunities to see new looks, and it’s not the same defensive system that we’re going up against each and every practice here in camp,”
and added,
“Sometimes, it is nice to see some fresh faces across from the O-line, and across from our receivers, and utilizing certain matchups, and seeing what guys can do.”
—Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Such practice sessions provide a controlled setting for Allen to attempt riskier plays than he might in a regular-season game, allowing him to explore tight throws and test his decision-making under pressure.
Breakdown of Allen’s Interceptions and Defensive Pressure
Each of Allen’s interceptions offered a glimpse into both the risks and challenges he faced. The first came on a tightly contested throw toward tight end Dalton Kincaid, roughly 20 yards downfield, where Bears safety Kevin Byard managed to intercept the ball. Later, cornerback Nashon Wright secured another interception, though some observers noted possible uncalled illegal contact during the play. Finally, during red zone drills, former Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, now with the Bears, picked off Allen, adding an extra layer of intrigue given Edmunds’ NFL history with Buffalo.
Caleb Williams’ Performance Offset by Bears’ Offensive Struggles
While Williams avoided turnovers, his performance wasn’t flawless. Sports Illustrated’s Matthew Verderame observed that the Bears struggled to advance against Buffalo’s first-team defense. He noted that whenever the Bears snapped the ball cleanly, Buffalo’s revamped defensive line applied relentless pressure on Williams. Verderame explained,
“When the Bears snapped the ball without an infraction, they were continuously harassed by Buffalo’s revamped defensive line,”
and added,
“If the Bills were allowed to hit Williams, he would have been sacked or forced to throw the ball away on at least a half-dozen occasions, if not more.”
—Matthew Verderame, Sports Illustrated reporter
This indicates that although Williams outperformed Allen in the interception metric during this event, overall offensive momentum was limited against the Bills’ defense.
Bears-Bills Preseason Clash and Future Outlook
The joint practice sets the stage for their upcoming preseason matchup, scheduled for Sunday night at Soldier Field. While the Bears will rely more heavily on Caleb Williams to build experience, reports suggest Josh Allen may see limited or no playing time in the game. This decision aligns with protecting Allen while the team evaluates new talent and prepares for regular-season challenges.
Head coach Sean McDermott‘s confidence in the Bills’ roster adds to the anticipation around the preseason, as Buffalo continues to refine their lineup and assess competition within the squad for the 2024 campaign.