The Chicago Bears have gone through three practices during this year’s training camp. Friday still brought what could be distressing signs. However, Caleb Williams and the first-team offense did find a noticeable rhythm in two critical aspects. Sustaining it remained an issue, though.
Fans in attendance saw Williams endure several rough moments during team periods, but they saw QB1 and the 1s dial their execution in during those two sessions.
Moreover, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle offered critical context.
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Williams notably shared a post from NFL legend J.J. Watt about people tracking and reporting on “stats” in training camp, pointing to the lack of context those on the outside often have. On Friday, Doyle essentially echoed the latter part about context lacking while also revealing some examples.
Doyle noted that they do “track everything” during team periods.
Williams had back-to-back interceptions during one of those periods. The first one appeared to be the result of pass interference by Tyrique Stevenson on a ball intended for DJ Moore. No flag was thrown, though.
More often, as had been a theme early on, Williams was missing, navigating apparent miscommunications, or having balls dropped. Stevenson drew a DPI on another pass from Williams, this one intended for Rome Odunze, from the referees in attendance.
He has also faced a noticeable amount of pressure.
However, Doyle assured that some of that was “very intentional,” specifically regarding a question about Montez Sweat getting into the backfield.
After the pass interference call against Stevenson, Williams was again unable to connect with Moore on another ball. However, he found Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus for successive touchdowns.
The Bears need and expect that the current split will balance out for the better.
Caleb Williams & DJ Moore ‘Hip-to-Hip’
Moore took a step back statistically last season, but he remains the Bears’ No. 1 receiving threat and a player who, if they are going to be successful, must play an integral role in 2025.
Moore noted that the Bears are not too far into their offensive playbook as they work to master the nuances of new head coach Ben Johnson’s scheme, and that it could take the full six-week training camp period to get there.
That was not a note of concern, though.
Despite his seeming inaccuracy, which can be explained by being put in adverse situations, Williams has drawn strong reviews for his command in the huddle.
Moreover, Moore detailed that Williams was early and eager to dive into the playbook before training camp and that they are spending extra time after practices, saying they are trying to be “hip-to-hip.”
For every potential red flag, the Bears have an answer that fits Watt’s point.
Williams said he wanted to be coached hard, and he and the team are getting that from this staff.
They all remain confident the desired results will come and are not surprised by the early hiccups, as defenses can tend to be ahead of returning offenses at this time of year, let alone an entirely new offense.
More diversity in the offense could also help Williams, Moore, and Co. out.
Updates on Training Camp Battles
Left tackle Braxton Jones received a “scheduled rest day” on Friday, per Bears PR. That meant his battle with rookie second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo paused for a day, if not moved a little closer to the rookie. Trapilo worked with the 1s after rotating in behind 2024 third-rounder Kiran Amegadjie on Thursday.
Jones has yet to return to 11-on-11 work. So, there are several boxes he must check before he can be declared the frontrunner in what Johnson admitted was a competition.
At wide receiver, Zaccheaus continued to look reliable in Luther Burden III’s absence.
Quarterbacks Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent switched roles behind Williams. That just underscores that they are in one of the more quietly notable battles in camp. Second-year undrafted free agent Austin Reed has been the odd man out so far.
Nahshon Wright maintained his role as Jaylon Johnson’s substitute. He appears to have an early leg up on incumbent Terell Smith to be the Pro Bowler’s understudy this season.
Again, though, all of this is incredibly early in the process. A lot can and likely will change.