Brad Biggs answers your Chicago Bears questions weekly.
What is the most impressive thing you have seen from Caleb Williams thus far? — Chris C., Fort Myers, Fla.
A couple of things have stood out about Caleb Williams to this point, and they’re probably skills and talents you’ve heard about before but we’re seeing it in training camp action. The first is Williams does a really good job of keeping his eyes downfield late in the down. This is happening on snaps where his first read isn’t there and he is re-setting his throwing platform. It’s also happening when he has been flushed out of the pocket. This is the kind of thing that can really stress a defense because he’s programmed to use his legs to create time and space to throw — not tuck and run. Now, it’s a lot easier to do this against a defense he knows isn’t going to hit him in a practice setting but Williams’ field vision has definitely been on display and that’s a real plus. My hunch is this carries over into actual games because it is something you saw him do with consistency at Southern California. There have been too many young Bears quarterbacks in recent years — and I’m going back a while — who haven’t been able to keep the focus downfield when plays have gone off-schedule. Williams doesn’t want to try to make a living on off-schedule plays but this is going to be an area where he can be particularly dangerous.
“It’s something that he’s been able to do at a high level for so many years,” offensive coordinator Shane Waldron said. “We don’t want to hold back on that ability that he has. The best part of his ability to move around in the pocket and scramble has been the downfield throws without getting turnovers as far as interceptions go.”
One other thing that’s been readily apparent is the arm talent Williams possesses to deliver the ball from all sorts of platforms and angles. He can throw on the move. He can throw when he drops down. He can throw sidearm when on the move. And he’s delivering the ball with velocity and accuracy. He’s not going to have the biggest arm in the NFL but with a quick release and good zip, the ball is getting to receivers quickly. These are a couple of traits that have popped through with a little more than a week of training camp.
What hurdle does Caleb Williams have to clear to be ready for the regular season? — Ken B., Lemont
It would be great if there was only one. The Bears could zero in on that one element and really get him up to speed for game action. There’s a ton that goes into it and Williams recognizes that. I think he embraces it.
“I think I am on track to be ready,” Williams said Monday. “Exactly where I need to be and where they want me to be. I’m excited. Every day I wake up, I’m learning something new, getting ready for the season, preseason and these next practices. I’m very excited, still progressing. We’re toward the end of install right now for this portion, which is very exciting. … Progressing, excited, and ready to go.”
Maybe the biggest element is adjusting to NFL game speed where the throwing windows are smaller and close faster. It’s learning to play within the structure of the offense and be on time. If he can do that with regularity, you’re going to see an improved offensive line. It’s finding that rhythm against the vast variety of coverages, fronts and pressures that will be thrown at him, a lot of stuff that he will be experiencing for the first time. The team periods were a real struggle for the offense on Tuesday when the defense brought a variety of pressures. On one of them, Williams seemed to be caught off-guard by blitzing cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.
That’s why Waldron talks about Williams taking mental snapshots of every play and understanding the totality of the play. The throw might go to the front side and primary read and be successful but it’s also about understanding what the back side looks like on that play.
Is the Gervon Dexter and Tyler Scott Year 2 jump being overhyped? Who is your pick for best “sophomore” jump? — @salmoncannonco
Both second-year players have had a nice start to training camp. Dexter has reshaped his body and maybe more importantly seems way more comfortable with the scheme, what he’s being asked to do and playing with more consistent pad level. Scott has been able to make some big plays with Caleb Williams in practice and that’s good to see. I wouldn’t say Dexter has been overhyped. I don’t know that he’s going to go out and put up 10 sacks but I would not rule that out. I think the Bears have a guy who understands the three-technique position. He looks physically ready to be a disruptive interior defender. He’d be my pick for a Year 2 breakout guy, and I say that recognizing he was improved in the second half of last season.
It’s nice to see Scott making some plays early in training camp but I’m not sure how much action there will be for him provided DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze are healthy. The No. 4 wide receiver typically doesn’t get a ton of snaps. They may have some small things here and there for Scott and he’ll have a chance to make some plays, but it would be hard to select a guy who might not get 20-25 snaps some weeks to be a breakout player. That being said, it’s a positive to see Scott taking advantage of his opportunities in practice and there’s no doubt he remains in the team’s plans.
Can’t believe Matt Eberflus isn’t going to play Caleb Williams and the offense for a series or two on Thursday night. Why not? — Emery P.
You know the answer to that question. It’s pretty simple too. Coaches put a premium on keeping their frontline players healthy this time of year and the payoff (let’s say something between 6 and 15 snaps) for Williams and the rest of the offense in a meaningless game against the Houston Texans isn’t worth the risk — an injury. It would be impossible to convince me that if Williams played a series or two and attempted even up to 10 passes against the Texans it would mean anything for his performance on Sept. 8 when the Bears host the Tennessee Titans in a regular-season game.
Here’s one to consider: Will Eberflus play key starters in the third preseason game when the Bears host the Cincinnati Bengals on Aug. 17? There’s probably a chance. But the Bears will conduct a joint practice with the Bengals prior to that game where they will be able to have ones going against ones. Remember, last year at Indianapolis the coach chose to sit quarterback Justin Fields and others in the exhibition game following joint practices. I’m not saying he will go the same route this summer but it’s something to at least keep in the back of your mind as, again, coaches look to get to the regular season without losing key players.
Will Coleman Shelton being left-handed and Ryan Bates being right-handed at center make a significant difference and require a big adjustment, especially for Caleb Williams as a rookie quarterback? — Joe H., Palos Park
Matt Eberflus was asked about that Saturday and he gave a pretty good response about the difference and what it could mean for Williams.
“Under center (it’s) not a big deal, surprisingly,” Eberflus said. “And then the spins are what’s a little bit different, what (the quarterback has to) get used to. One comes back as a knuckle, one spins it. So (the quarterbacks) have to get used to it with each guy. But if we’re preparing for the week, a game week, they’re going to get used to that, it’s pretty easy to get used to but when it’s series by series, you got to make sure, ‘OK, here, he’s the guy that spins it. This is the guy that knuckles it.’ So that’s really the major difference.”
My thinking is the Bears want to settle in on a starting center before the end of preseason. That will depend on a variety of issues — Bates has been at right guard the last couple of practices with Nate Davis sidelined — but there’s no doubt in my mind from the front office to the coaching staff, the goal is to settle on a starting five sooner rather than later. That would provide Williams more than enough time to develop chemistry and a comfort level with the selected starter, whichever center it is.
Does the Nate Davis injury suggest the Bears should sign Connor Williams to preserve their depth or is Ryan Bates at right guard and Coleman Shelton at center an adequate patch? — @gucasliogito
A lot of Davis questions this week and I’m not going to get to all of them. He left Saturday’s practice during individual drills and appeared to be talking to trainer Andre Tucker about something in his midsection. Davis did not practice on Monday and was held out again Tuesday. So, the Bears have gone from rotating Bates and Shelton on a daily basis with the first team at center to having Bates play right guard and Shelton handle the center position. I view that as a positive from the standpoint that Bates has versatility. He’s played guard and center in the NFL.
Connor Williams remains on the open market and if a team deems him healthy — he suffered a major knee injury last season in Miami — he will have a job soon. I tend to think the Bears will continue down the path they are on and Shane Waldron was pretty clear that Davis is the starter when he’s back and healthy. One injury during the first week of training camp isn’t going to cost a guy with a fully guaranteed 2024 salary his starting job. Let’s see how things shake out for Davis over the next month. With any good fortune, he’s back before too long and the Bears can return their focus to evaluating Bates and Shelton at center.
Trent Williams and Tristan Wirfs are both upset and seeking new contracts. What do you say Ryan Poles trades for one and secures a top-notch left tackle for Caleb Williams? — Steve G., Las Vegas
Poles has proven to be aggressive so it’s impossible to rule anything out but both of these seem like they’re on the far side of being longshots. The San Francisco 49ers are a Super Bowl contender. Trading Trent Williams for future draft picks isn’t going to help them achieve that goal this season. Tristan Wirfs is arguably the best player on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I’m not sure how they could find a scenario where they improve their roster by dealing away their best player. Both guys would arrive needing a massive new contract. Could the Bears pull something like that off? Sure. There are always ways to make the math work. But I don’t think the 49ers or Bucs right now would be considering a trade. Also, Trent Williams is 36 so he’s not a long-term solution for the Bears. Let’s see what Braxton Jones can do this season.
Who has been most impressive in practices with pads? — Gene M., Edwardsville
That’s a good question because the games are played with pads on. Montez Sweat is an easy answer. He’s a joy to watch in practice for the first time this summer because he wins so regularly and he’s so fluid and incredibly fast for being a massive man at 6-foot-6, 262 pounds. I’ll give you another maybe you were not expecting: rookie defensive end Austin Booker. He’s looked pretty good in pads. Booker has some savvy to his rush. It looks like he’s got the ability to counter and that’s important for young rushers. A lot of players have one tool in their toolbox and it might be a great one but once the offense figures that out, it can be negated. Booker has shown a knack for coming loose off the edge. The sample size is small thus far but I have little doubt the coaching staff has been impressed. Keep an eye on him.
I’ll give you one more too as Matt Eberflus, unprompted, dropped his name on Tuesday afternoon following practice.
“Bill Murray has had a really good camp so far,” Eberflus said. “Just naming one guy but he has done a really nice job. Done a nice job in pass pro. He’s learning it. He’s got the athletic ability to get it done. Never put a ceiling on any player. We’re excited to see him play too.”
Murray, 27, signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of William & Mary in 2020. He spent his first two seasons as a defensive tackle and converted to guard in 2022. That year, he appeared in one game for the Patriots. He spent last season on the practice squad for the Bears.
Was the Spencer Brown workout and Demetric Felton signing due to the Travis Homer/Ian Wheeler injuries or do you believe Khalil Herbert could be traded/Roschon Johnson promoted? — @balakay
The Bears signed Felton on Sunday and he was at practice on Monday when Homer had a decent limp and did not practice. Wheeler was also sidelined. That’s a depth move. With a preseason game Thursday night, the Bears don’t want to tax their frontline backs. So, I’d expect Felton to get plenty of work in the game. I like some of Herbert’s skill set as a guy who runs behind his pads and is particularly effective on inside zone runs. I’m not sure he’d have a ton of value in trade right now. You’re talking about a position where it’s pretty easy to plug in backs and get at least average production if you’ve got any sort of offensive line. This was injury-related, in my opinion.
What would you say have been the biggest reasons the offenses rarely “wins” days against the defense so far? — @gregfeltes
Well, you’ve got a defense returning nearly all of its parts in a system that it played last year going against an offense with a bunch of new parts, including a rookie quarterback, learning a new system from a new coaching staff for the first time. That’s a pretty good explanation for why the defense has had the upper hand in the majority of team periods thus far through training camp. As Caleb Williams begins to figure things out and the offensive players get a feel for what they’re doing and the timing and spacing required, I would expect things to even out a little bit.
What’s been head-scratching good or bad so far during Bears training camp? — @mred315
I don’t know about you Ed, but I’m not sure many good things lead me to scratch my head. Bad things? There were way too many pre-snap penalties by the offense on Friday and Saturday in practices with full pads. When the Bears went through a shorter practice without pads on Monday, things were cleaned up. Hopefully, the rash of false start penalties is behind them and everyone can leave their scalp alone. I counted one false start and one delay of game penalty on Tuesday.
