The Chicago Bears are heading into their joint practice with the Buffalo Bills on Friday following back-to-back encouraging days from their starting offense, including second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams’ efforts to master new head coach Ben Johnson’s offense began with learning the playbook and pre-snap requirements.
With those closer to being down pat, Williams has been able to show his prowess as a passer.
Caleb Williams Stacking Days in Bears Training Camp
Bears QB Caleb Williams Showing Better
Williams and wide receivers Rome Odunze and newcomer Olamide Zaccheaus connected quite frequently over the Bears’ Wednesday and Thursday practice sessions.
He has also found DJ Moore, though the coaching staff has frequently relocated him in the formation.
Williams has found tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland, too, both of whom should be heavily involved this season. It is all part of his work to master, not only Johnson’s scheme, but also how the coaching staff wants him to play the position.
Johnson and quarterback coach J.T. Barrett both said that the latter is the top point of contact.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and passing game coordinator Press Taylor both play supporting roles in the grand scheme. It also includes one-on-one time with Johnson.
Still, Johnson said he stepped back from being as hands-on. He, Barrett, and others on the staff are all on the same page about how everything should look. Johnson and Co. have been a culture shock for the Bears, but one they are taking to.
Williams’ progress remains heavily scrutinized, but stacking good days is very encouraging.
Theo Benedet Leads LT Rotation
Second-year undrafted free agent offensive lineman Theo Benedet’s emergence in the Bears’ left tackle rotation turned heads on Wednesday. It was less surprising on Thursday, but the amount of reps Benedet received there was very intriguing.
He led the way among the trio of himself, 2022 fifth-round pick Braxton Jones, who is the incumbent and listed starter, and rookie second-rounder Ozzy Trapilo.
Jones (left tackle) and Trapilo (right tackle) worked with the second unit.
It is a pivotal time in camp. Not only are the Buffalo Bills coming for a joint practice on Friday before their Sunday Night Football matchup, but Williams has also begun to trend in the right direction.
Jones still saw some time with the starters. He may also still be the best bet to draw the start at left tackle for the Bears against the Bills.
Friday, then, should be very telling about just where Benedet stands in the LT race.
To that end, Kiran Amegadjie, a third-round pick in 2024, has seemingly been eliminated from consideration. He was a surprising competitor in the battle before Benedet’s emergence, and fell behind after suffering an undisclosed injury that cost him on-field time in practice.
Impactful Absentees
The Bears made a slew of roster moves earlier this week. Most of them addressed a rash of injuries in the secondary, specifically at safety. However, the bigger concern is at cornerback, where Jaylon Johnson has practiced in camp and Kyler Gordon has missed several sessions.
Nahshon Wright has been one of the more intriguing storylines in camp, but that is largely because of Johnson’s absence.
Notably, the Bears have sorted through options and personnel groupings to replace Gordon.
But Johnson is a two-time Pro Bowler and former second-team All-Pro. He and Gordon are both among the highest-paid players on the team. Without them, the Bears need their front seven to be that much sharper.
In that regard, the Bills, along with reigning MVP Josh Allen, will provide a solid test for the Bears in practice on Friday. It is unclear who Buffalo will send out on Sunday night.
Running back Roschon Johnson has also missed practice this week.
Rookie seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai was already eating into Johnson’s RB2 snaps with the latter healthy. He has assumed an even greater role now that the 2023 fourth-round pick is sidelined.
Flying under the radar a bit amid the action in camp, the Bears have not had 2025 second-round defensive lineman Shemar Turner or fifth-round CB Zah Frazier at all.
Turner is dealing with an ankle issue.
Frazier’s matter is personal, and Johnson declined to elaborate on it. The head coach has said Jaylon Johnson remains on track to return in time for Week 1 of the regular season with his leg injury. However, Gordon’s hamstring issue has him on more of a “week-to-week” timeline.
The Bears are trending in the right direction on both sides of the ball, and they still have a host of should-be impactful players waiting in the wings.