Buffalo Bills vs Chicago Bears

On August 17, 2025, Soldier Field became the stage for one of the most lopsided preseason results in recent memory as the Chicago Bears dominated the Buffalo Bills in a 38–0 shutout. While preseason games often lean more toward evaluation than results, the emphatic scoreline turned heads across the league. Chicago’s mix of sharp quarterback play, a punishing run game, and airtight defense gave fans a glimpse of what could be a promising new era under head coach Ben Johnson.

Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams wasted no time electrifying the home crowd. In his brief stint, he engineered a stunning 92-yard touchdown drive, capped by a strike to Olamide Zaccheaus. Williams finished 6-of-10 for 107 yards and a score, showing patience and composure well beyond his years. Analysts raved about his accuracy and poise, with NFL legend Shannon Sharpe calling the Bears’ offensive display “unbelievable.” Even though his outing was short, it was enough to spark optimism that Chicago may have finally found its franchise quarterback.

The evening, however, belonged to Tyson Bagent, who stole the spotlight once Williams exited. The undrafted talent led three consecutive touchdown drives in the second quarter, displaying confidence and rhythm that energized the stadium. His near-200 passing yards and touchdown to Tyler Scott cemented him as the story of the night, sparking conversations about Chicago’s enviable quarterback depth. For a fanbase long starved of stability at the position, seeing two passers shine on the same night felt like a revelation.

Chicago’s ground attack added fuel to the fire. Ian Wheeler bulldozed his way to 80 yards and two touchdowns, while Brittain Brown chipped in another score with 73 yards on the ground. Supported by a dominant offensive line, the Bears piled up a staggering 528 total yards, overwhelming Buffalo on every possession. By contrast, the Bills mustered just 180 yards, failing to establish any rhythm and trailing 28-0 by halftime.

For Buffalo, resting stars like Josh Allen made the blowout somewhat easier to swallow, but the performance of their depth players was concerning. The offense sputtered with only 22 first-half yards, while the defense struggled to contain both Chicago’s starters and reserves. On the other hand, the Bears’ defense and crisp execution throughout the night suggested that Johnson’s culture shift is already taking root. Though preseason results rarely define a season, this rout left the Bears buzzing with belief and the Bills searching for answers.