After 14 practices in training camp, the Chicago Bears? offense continues to be a work in progress.
While there have been several ?wow? moments, most have come from the defense over the first two weeks’ worth of practice sessions.? No one at Halas Hall is moving with concern over that, shooting down the notions that it is worrisome and touting the fact they are still early in the process.
Offensive assistants Chris Beatty, Chris Morgan, Kerry Joseph, and Thomas Brown spoke with media after practice as did Cairo Santos, Gervon Dexter, and T.J. Edwards.
Bears Training Camp Notes: Hall of Famer Matt Eberflus
Cairo Santos Eyes HC Matt Eberflus as Tackling Coach
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus was one of the stars of the premiere episode of HBO?s ?Hard Knocks,? which has followed the team since before the 2024 NFL Draft. Much of the episode focused on Eberflus? transformation physically and at the podium over the offseason.
There were also clips of the former Toledo linebacker at work under friend, mentor, and former head coach Nick Saban, who joked that Eberflus was a ?hitter? and not the most athletic backer.
Santos joked that Eberflus could teach him how to tackle when asked about the footage.
?I hadn’t [seen the footage before],? Santos told Clocker Sports. ?He can hit. Maybe he can teach me how to tackle. No but, yeah, it was it was cool because I hadn’t seen it. I knew he, obviously, he played at Toledo with Coach Saban. And we’ve got a great defense here. But seeing how he was it’s like, ?Yeah, that’s the style I think I would love to have.?
?I don’t imagine him tackling a lot right now. But years ago, it’s cool to see how athletic and big he was.?
Eberflus lettered in football as a linebacker at Toledo from 1988 through 1991.
A member of the University of Toledo Varsity Hall of Fame class in 2004, Eberflus finished his collegiate career with 325 tackles, leading the team with 89 stops as a junior and logging 138 tackles as a senior. He also helped Toledo rise to co-MAC champions in 1990.
?He’s told us some stories for sure,? Edwards said. ?We can’t tell if we believe him or not, so now I might have to tune in. Might have to tune in and see what’s going on. I’m sure he’s eating that up, but we’ll probably see in the team meeting here in a bit so we’ll see.
Edwards joked that the cowboy collar Eberfus wore as a player in college signified the ?one-gap linebacker.?
?Downhill, for sure,? Edwards said.
If nothing else, it helps add to the backstory behind the origins of the HITS principle and why Eberflus coaches the way he does. For Eberflus, the next step is to translate all that he has learned and that he brings to the table into wins.
Gervon Dexter Feeling Himself Heading in 2024
The sound of passes smacking off of hands and falling to the ground has rang out during recent practices, and second-year defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr.
The defense cannot hit the quarterback and even tackling on other positions is not through the whistle in camp. Still, a trimmer Dexter showcasing his explosiveness and length has been a routine occurrence so far.
He has also been outspoken about feeling he is on the verge of a breakout season.
?I think it’s everything. Changing my body around, being able to physically play more, and then mentally,? Dexter said of what has led to that feeling. ?When you know what you’re supposed to do, when you know the playbook, you can play faster. So it’s a little bit of everything.?
Dexter recorded all 2.5 of his sacks from Weeks 14-17. He played in 40% of the defensive snaps and his 17 pressures ranked third-most on the team, per Pro Football Reference.
The opportunity will be there. Dexter is stepping into the starting lineup for former starter Justin Jones, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. Dexter saw at least 20% of the Bears? defensive snaps in 2023 six times over his first nine games.
He did not fall below that mark in any of the final eight contests.
Velus Jones Jr.?s RB Reps
Eberflus acknowledged that Velus Jones Jr. had been working with the running backs in Sunday and Tuesday?s practices. Eberflus said it was something they were trying during this portion of training camp with experimentation at different position groups a theme of the summer.
On Wednesday, Jones took handoffs in team drills.
Some pushing and shoving ensued after his first tote between him and someone on the defense, but nothing even close to the minor dust-ups from other days.
Jones? other carries were otherwise unremarkable, though he seemed to take contact well to and through the line of scrimmage. That is not too surprising. Jones has more career rushes (17) than receptions (11). Still, a position change is a big deal.
Jones seems willing to make it work, which would be a boon for the Bears. Whether he is capable remains to be seen.
Offensive Assistants Weigh In on Training Camp Storylines
Quarterbacks Coach Kerry Joseph talked about the more human side of the grind for Williams, who has been praised for his calm demeanor no matter the circumstance. That comes from preparation.
That preparation includes hammering out the issues, which Williams says no one criticizes more than himself.
Joseph spoke about being cognizant of that and bringing levity into a tough situation.
?For him, it?s getting frustrated from basic mistakes,? Joseph told reporters after Wednesday?s practice. ?Rome was not built overnight. That’s when you got to kind of make him laugh and like, ?Okay, give yourself a little grace.? And he’s been good with it. He laughs, he gives you a smile, and we go back to work.?
The reality of Williams? progress will be on display when he takes the field, presumably as soon as Saturday, August 10 versus the Buffalo Bills. For now, optimism around Williams? progress is based on comments from those in the building.
There have been flashes of Williams? ceiling during cam. But there has also been evidence that everything ? including the quarterback ? is a work in progress.
Passing Game Coordinator Thomas Brown addressed the overall experience level of the QB room that consists of incumbent second-year QB Tyson Bagent, journeyman Brett Rypien, and undrafted rookie free agent Austin Reed.
Brown said the group ? short on playing experience let alone starts ? is experienced in other beneficial ways.
?I wouldn’t say [it is more challenging with this group,? Brown told Clocker Sports. ?I think being able to have BR and also Tyson in the room as well has been very beneficial when it comes to, obviously, Tys being a rookie last year, being able kind of talk about his ups and downs, growing pains throughout his rookie year.
?Ryp as well, being able to have the experience of being for multiple teams but also how do you operate in this system. He’s been around it before. ? We?re, obviously, building something different here but being able to be in that style of offense to communicate better.
?It’s been good so far.?
Bagent and Rypien are both 2-2 as starters in their careers. Bagent got the start in the Hall of Fame Game but only played the first series. Rypien?s play could make QB2 a true competition.
Offensive Line Coach Chris Morgan brushed off injury concerns along the offensive line. He echoed Eberflus in that they are mixing and matching components at this stage of camp.
?What we’re doing is we’re developing depth,? Morgan told Clocker Sports on Wednesday. ?Guys are moving around, you know what I mean? And that’s what the early party camp?s for because it’s a long season. And we’re going to play the best five.?
They would surely like to have a five finalized sooner rather than later.
Injuries to Darnell Wright, Nate Davis, and Teven Jenkins have disrupted the continuity. Davis is falling into a position battle with 2024 trade acquisition Ryan Bates at right guard, per Eberflus.
It is a testament to the Bears? depth that there is someone on hand playing well enough to challenge Davis. Asked whether the experience from 2023 led to them improving their depth on the interior, Morgan said every year was a learning experience.
He also tipped his cap to Ryan Poles and the scouting staff.
?Ryan and those guys have done a great job to help bring in guys that fit our makeup, our style, good players.?
Running Backs Coach Chad Morton is one of the most visible figures on the field. He can often be seen sprinting down the field to celebrate with or simply coach up one of the Bears’ backs after a play.
He also prods the defense, which has drawn tongue-in-cheek ire from some on that side.
But Morton?s energy was also apparent in his praise for assistant Jennifer King, the first female coach in franchise history. That is not what stands out though.
?She’s great,? Morton told Clocker Sports. ?She’s smart, she brings good energy, she knows what she’s talking about, she’s just a great coach. And the players just relate to her. She’s humble and she’s hardworking, and guys appreciate that about her. And so she’s great to have her on.?
Bears Training Camp Injury Round-Up
This will be a staple until it is unnecessary. The Bears dealt with rashes of injuries to various position groups in 2023 the likes of which they need to avoid lest they risk exposing their rookie QB to injury and inconsistency around him.
Davis and Wright are both working their way back from extended absences, so their exits from practice (Wright remained on the sideline with his helmet) could be precautionary.
Jenkins has a fairly significant injury history, though he finished Wednesday?s session.
The bigger concern would be what impact this is having on the Bears? decision at center, where Bates and Coleman Shelton have been vying for the starting job. Bates has emerged as a leader in the locker room, which is a key trait for a center.
However, he has also performed well at guard (enough to elicit such comments from Eberflus) while Shelton offers more starting experience at the position.
Things are less nebulous but as concerning defensively.
Three of the five starting members of the secondary ? Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson ? have missed multiple practices. Injuries to the secondary torpedoed the Bears? defense to start the 2023 season.
They ascended as a unit as the group got healthy. Getting Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders at the trade deadline also helped.
However, Sweat has missed multiple practices too.
He has been seen running the hill behind the practice fields and, like Gordon, participated in walkthroughs. But it is something to note until everyone is back on the practice field in a full capacity.
Elsewhere, Andre Billings and Ian Wheeler began practice in pads but then adjourned to do side work alongside new injury absentee, Collin Johnson.
Second-year corner Terell Smith also went down during team drills and did not finish practice.