The Chicago Bears are set for their first game of the 2026 regular season, making this the perfect time for the first installment of “Coaches’ Corner” as part of the news roundup, with quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett offering insight on himself and Caleb Williams first up.
Clocker Sports also got to speak with Bears running backs coach Eric Studesville about D’Andre Swift before his new deal, which garnered a noteworthy reaction.
The Bears also made some roster tweaks before taking on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Coaches’ Corner Leads Bears News Roundup: J.T. Barrett Talks Caleb Williams
Bears QB Coach J.T. Barrett Gets Honest About Caleb Williams
Barrett is in his second year in his current role, and the learning and growth process is as real for him as it is Williams. Asked about how their communication has improved since last season, Barrett was candid.
He noted Williams is understanding faster than he was, which is what one would hope for as he sees more looks and comes across tells for the future.
But Barrett noted his own ability to convey his message has improved as well.
“He’s getting a lot better as far as being able to have the conversation about whatever we’re talking about defensively–a look or a offensive play–he’s being able to picture it and being able to see it a lot quicker,” Barrett told Clocker Sports this week.
“I think I’ve also done a better job of communicating what I’m trying to look for and what I’m asking for. So, I think it’s really more–probably more me than him. I’m getting better as far as teaching in order to make sure that he’s seeing us seeing it the same way as we do as coaches.”
Williams recently said that he finds himself questioning things less this year after dealing with the uncertainty of a new coaching staff (he has spoken on the latter before).
Barrett said he could not speak to that, but understands why the QB felt that way.
“I definitely think when there’s somebody new in the room, and new information is being coached, and you’ve done–you won the Heisman and first-overall pick before he got here,” Barrett told Clocker Sports.
“With that, he’s done some really cool things. So, that’s not crazy as far as being a little skeptical of what’s going on. But I think from everybody, you see a lot, I mean full buy-in from everybody in what Coach [Ben Johnson] is preaching to us and making sure that we’re all on the same page. So, he’s not the only one. That’s something that happens when it’s new.”
That, in conjunction with how others have noticed Williams’ connection with Johnson being even better in Year 2 is as encouraging as anything else the team has going for it.
D’Andre Swift Drawing Rave Reviews Amid New Deal
Swift officially signed his three-year, $33.75 million contract extension–which included $27.5 million in guarantees–on Saturday, and the 2023 Pro Bowler shared a message via the team on X after putting pen to paper:
“Chicago, what’s going on? D’Andre Swift, man. I just signed my extension. Excited to be back. Can’t wait to get to work. Bear down.”
Swift’s new deal drew a reaction from Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon.
Swift is coming off a career year. He posted 1,087 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns–both career highs–on 223 carries.
That was 30 fewer carries than needed to tally 959 yards and 6 TDs the year before.
Most encouraging for the Bears is how much they have felt the urge to rave about him this offseason. Studesville, in his first season with the Bears, is among those who lauded Swift. That includes when asked about the veteran’s leadership. Studesville called it “important.”
“His voice–even though soft and not as frequent as, maybe, some other people are–his voice carries weight,” Studesville told Clocker Sports this week. “I try to give that room to breathe. I think he needs to do that when he feels comfortable doing that. And that’s been encouraged, and we talk about that, but I think it’s needed.
“He has a wealth of knowledge. He’s seen a lot of things in this game. So, when he speaks, it has weight.”
Bears Call Up WR, Sign QB, Cut Ties With DB
The Bears made some potentially telling roster decisions ahead of game day. They called wide receiver Kaden Davis up from the practice squad. They also re-signed quarterback Miller Moss and released defensive back Keidron Smith.
Davis was a training camp and preseason standout. His call-up coincides with Rome Odunze drawing a questionable tag due to a calf injury.
Odunze said he is playing, but this suggests his status remains uncertain.
Moss’ return–after he drew interest from the Houston Texans–is a strong signal that Tyson Bagent will not suit up. He is dealing with a back injury that kept him out of practice this past week. The Bears needed to make room for Moss, making the recent addition, Smith, a logical casualty.
