Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears are set for their third day on practice in 2025 training camp, and the second-year quarterback helped amplify a fitting message from former Houston Texans star and NFL legend J.J. Watt.
Watt is retired. But he spent the first 10 years of his career with the Texans and another two with the Arizona Cardinals.
In all that time, he never witnessed what he has about the league as an analyst.
Caleb Williams Amplifies J.J. Watt’s Message Amid Bears Training Camp
Bears QB Caleb Williams Shares Anti-Training Camp Stat Post
On Day 2 of Bears training camp for Williams, Watt called “stats” – using quotations to emphasize their insignificance – “insane and ridiculous” and said he used to think reports on them were done in jest.
Seeing that some are using them as part of their analysis, Watt set the record straight that most “have no idea” about the “purpose,” “goals,” or “context” of a period, let alone rep, are.
“It could be a strictly 3rd & Long blitz period where every play is skewed to the defenses advantage. Coaches could be asking the QB to focus specifically on one route concept. DLine may be focusing only on bull rushes one day or just speed rushes for one period,” Watt posted on X on July 24, drawing a repost from Williams on July 26.
“More importantly, practice is for practicing. You’re supposed to fail. You’re supposed to try new things, see what works and what doesn’t work, etc. If you only do what works, you’ll never grow, adapt, change.”
Watt added that the “entire point” of camp is to “build and grow” before the regular season.
Williams and the Bears’ first-team offense have not come out of the gates firing on all cylinders, as head coach Ben Johnson suggested would be the case to open training camp.
Bears On The Clock
After just two practices and with a third on deck, the Bears QB seems over it already. But the truth is, he and Johnson will be under the microscope all season as fans and critics alike seek signs that fit their perception.
Bears running back D’Andre Swift noted it could take a few weeks before the offense is humming like they want it to.
The Bears play their first preseason game on August 10 at home against the Miami Dolphins.
That gives them just over two weeks. If there are as many herky-jerk moments at that point, then concerns may become amplified. As Watt noted, and Williams seemingly endorsed, though, this is a time for mistakes, experimentation, and little context.