Bears QB Caleb Williams pushing to play Thursday in Canton

No. 1 pick Caleb Williams wants to be on the field when the Chicago Bears kick off the preseason Thursday night in Canton, Ohio, as part of the Hall of Fame weekend festivities.

Before Chicago's legendary return specialist Devin Hester is enshrined along with the 2024 Hall of Fame class on Saturday, the Bears and Houston Texans tee it up for the first game of the NFL's exhibition schedule.

"I would love to get out there and play," he said. "It's pretty awesome to get out there at Canton."

Head coach Matt Eberflus said the Bears would share more details about playing time and preseason plans in general on Tuesday before traveling to Ohio. Before camp began, Eberflus said the Bears reviewed the playing time protocol for the 2023 rookie quarterback class -- including Texans No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud, the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year last season -- and determined the ideal range of total snaps for Williams would be 45-65 plays.

The Bears named Williams their starter before minicamp and naturally would have concern over exposing Williams to injury. On the flipside, the rookie wants the repetitions.

"I always think there's more pros than cons, if anything, especially for a young guy like myself," Williams said. "Reps are always paramount for a young guy like myself."

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that "anytime we line up, it's real," before adding he wasn't sure if Stroud would be on the field at all Thursday night.

"We'll see," Ryans said.

Ryans spent extra time discussing the significance of the weekend for the Texans' franchise. Wide receiver Andre Johnson, like Hester a University of Miami product, will be the first Hall of Famer in team history.

"Andre Johnson going into the Hall of Fame -- it means everything to our organization," said Ryans. "Every person that's worked in this organization, every player who's strapped it up and put on that Texans jersey: Andre is representing everyone. And there's no better guy than Andre to be the first Houston Texan going in as a Hall of Famer. Definitely deserving of it. He's always been the best player in any field that he's stepped on and he has been a great man in the community, great leader as well. So, Andre is -- we're happy to be there to support Andre and wouldn't want to do it for any other guy."

--Field Level Media