The Chicago Bears are nearing the one-month mark in training camp. Their most encouraging offensive practice session to date featured an especially promising showing from Caleb Williams and fellow 2024 first-round pick Rome Odunze.
Williams has looked inconsistent in head coach Ben Johnson’s offense. That is from the offseason program into training camp. He has received plaudits for his progress with the “process.”
Odunze has shown his physical tools, though the consistency was not there.
Caleb Williams & Rome Odunze Connect to Lead Bears Training Camp Notes
Bears’ Young Duo Shows Promising Signs
On Wednesday, Williams and Odunze clicked in a way that seemed unlikely after Nahshon Wright intercepted their first attempted connection during one-on-one drills. Odunze and Williams ended the day with a handful of completions.
That is notable. It took time for Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft, and Odunze, who the Bears selected with the No. 9 pick, to find their on-field chemistry in 2024.
A faster start, particularly in contested and deep ball situations, would be a boon for the Bears.
One day does not change the entirety of camp to this point, but it could signal that the Bears are indeed entering the next phase of their learning process under Johnson, who noted they were done with their installs.
Clocker Sports has noted a lack of rhythm in what the Bears were seemingly trying to accomplish in earlier practices.
That was not the case on Wednesday, where there was a discernible effort to get things rolling.
The Bears face a big test in Week 2 of the preseason as the reigning MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills come to Soldier Field for a primetime affair. Williams, Odunze, and the rest of the starters will play in that contest after sitting out the opener, according to Johnson.
That is all the more reason to get Williams and the starting offense in a groove in practice. The Bears appear to be doing just that.
Olamide Zaccheaus Mr. Consistent for Bears
Olamide Zaccheaus has been among the most consistent performers in training camp for the Bears, and he repeatedly cited “reps” as the reason for his ability to not only show well but also form a rapport with Williams.
Bears wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El spoke about what makes Zaccheaus so “quarterback friendly.”
“He’s a pro. And as it relates to him playing at F-receiver, he’s quarterback-friendly because he knows where he’s supposed to be, and the trust from the quarterback in him – he’s going to be in the spot where he’s supposed to be. Quarterbacks don’t have an issue with that. They can really depend on that guy, and that’s why you see him showing up over and over again with the ball in his hand,” Randle El told Clocker Sports on August 13.
“It starts with that, with the QB. And then, obviously, knowing the offense. That’s the part [that] helps him being a pro. … He shows up over and over again. Run game and pass game.”
Zaccheaus had another big day on Wednesday. He appears poised to be Williams’ safety valve when the offense is not being funneled toward the tight ends.
Odunze and DJ Moore are still manning the perimeter, but Zaccheaus is certainly QB-friendly.
Bears Add New Contender to LT Race
Up until Wednesday, the Bears’ left tackle race was between incumbent starter Braxton Jones and rookie second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo. 2024 third-rounder Kiran Amegadjie was initially in the mix but fell behind due to an injury.
The Bears have repeatedly expressed a desire to settle on a top five for their offensive front. However, they added a new contender in 2024 UDFA Theo Benedet to the battle.
Benedet missed his rookie season with an injury.
But the player who former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus dubbed the “Canadian Eagle” has reemerged in the most unexpected of ways. Moreover, he hardly looked out of place while taking first-team reps in Wednesday’s practice.
How serious a threat he is to Jones and Trapilo, who worked over on the right side during the day, remains to be seen.
His inclusion at such a critical point in the calendar cannot be overlooked.