Chicago Bears training camp report: Caleb Williams looks good in final tune-up before trip to Cincinnati
The Chicago Bears practiced at Halas Hall for the final time this week before traveling Wednesday afternoon to Cincinnati, where they’ll hold a joint practice with the Bengals on Thursday before Saturday’s preseason game at Paycor Stadium.
Preseason or not, the Bears trounced the Cleveland Browns 34-10 in the opener at Soldier Field. Joe Burrow’s Bengals likely will provide a much stiffer test.
“It’s going to be a heck of a test for us,” defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said. “They’ve got a really good offense, MVP-caliber quarterback (Burrow) … MVP-caliber wide receiver (Ja’Marr Chase). Tee Higgins is a heck of a player. (Chase) Brown’s a hell of a running back, (Mike) Gesicki at the tight end position.
“So they’ve got a lot of weapons and a lot of things that they can do on offense. All five of their offensive linemen are returning.”
A turf toe injury limited Burrow to eight games last season — and the Bengals’ offensive firepower dipped along with it — but two years ago Burrow led the league’s sixth-highest-scoring attack (27.8 points per game).
Little has changed from that starting offense.
“It’ll be a great test for us,” Allen said, “and I’m just looking for us to go out there and compete and see where we stack up against what I think is probably going to be one of the better offenses in our league.”
The Bears held a 45-minute practice Wednesday morning before departing for Cincinnati. It was a light practice at Halas Hall, but here’s what we learned.
Give and receive
If Chase and Higgins aren’t the NFL’s No. 1 receiver duo, they’re at least in the debate. The Bears’ Rome Odunze said he tries to “steal a few things here and there” from Chase, Higgins and other elite receivers.
“I admire different talents that different guys have in their game,” Odunze said.
Odunze (6-foot-3, 214 pounds) and Higgins (6-4, 220) have similar builds and profile as contested-catch, deep-ball threats.
“Tee just moves so well for his height,” Odunze said. “He’s fluid in and out of his routes, and then he has tremendous catch-point radius, going up (for a) contested catch.”
Odunze’s position coach, Antwaan Randle El, remembers that he, too, studied other NFL receivers as a converted college quarterback.
“I really went back and watched Terance Mathis, Hines Ward,” Randle El said. “Those are guys who I first came in the league and were on … and I learned from them. So I just started by going back and watch all their stuff.
“And as you go on, I start watching Torry Holt because they (St. Louis Rams) were the greatest show at the time. … And then obviously the GOAT in terms of watching Jerry (Rice) run routes is ridiculous. But when you see him run routes, it’s like — phew — I’ve got some work to do.”
Player in the spotlight: Marcus Davenport
Will we get a Davenport sighting at the joint practice? He was absent for a second practice Wednesday after signing with the Bears on Monday.
The ninth-year veteran defensive end missed nine games last season because of a chest injury and 15 games in 2024 because of a torn triceps. He last played at least 15 games in 2022 for the New Orleans Saints.
But at least he’s familiar with Allen’s system.
“Listen, we drafted him in New Orleans,” Allen said of the No. 14 pick in 2018. “He’s always been a disruptive player. You can put on a lot of tape and see him in the backfield creating a lot of disruption.
“Everybody talks about the production. There’s a lot of hidden production in that, in that he creates a lot of opportunities for other people. He understands the mentality and the mindset of how we want to play defense. And I think he’s a good fit.”
Caleb Williams watch
The Bears focused on red-zone work, and Williams threw back-to-back touchdown passes to Odunze during 7-on-7.
During special teams work on Field 2, Williams, Case Keenum and Miller Moss moved to Field 1 and zipped back-of-the-end-zone passes to Colston Loveland and Odunze while assistants chased the quarterbacks.
One Williams fadeaway to Odunze at the left rear pylon was reminiscent of Williams’ iconic touchdown pass to Cole Kmet during the divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams — only a much shorter distance.
But that’s business as usual for Williams.
“Caleb’s understanding of the offense, command of the huddle, his communication — you’ve seen all of that improve,” Allen said. “And then to go along with that, you see him getting through progressions and getting to the right spots.
“I think Ben said this last year, but growth is not a linear process. It’s kind of like the stock market a little bit — there’s going to be some ups and downs, but hopefully it continues to grow as you go along — and I’ve seen a lot of growth out of him.”
Quote of note
“How do I say it?” Randle El pondered. “Kalif (Raymond) is, like, controlled energy. Jahdae (Walker) is just — BAAAAAH. Energy all the time.”
Randle El said he has to rein in some of Walker’s energy during position meetings. But one area where he’s allowed to go full speed ahead?
“Growth,” Randle El said. “He plays both positions. He played the Z, played the X. We don’t have him inside as much at the F position, but he’s playing. He can.
“He sees it. He sees it and knows it better and can feel it getting out of his routes even better.”
Seen and heard
- During a 7-on-7 red-zone drill, rookie safety Dillon Thieneman blanketed Loveland in the back left corner of the end zone. Loveland tried to haul in Williams’ pass one-handed but couldn’t reel it in under Thieneman’s sticky coverage.
- Later, during a team situation set up at the 2-yard line, defenders covered Williams’ targets to the left side of the field. Williams turned and tried to find a target inside, but Thieneman intercepted the pass.
- Wide receiver J.P. Richardson caught one of Moss’ red-zone passes, and he also has been catching coaches’ notice. “The other day in practice he just lit it up, and that’s what you expect,” Randle El said. “Like you keep pushing them, but you get to the point where somebody’s got to start separating themselves. That type deal. So he showed up too.”
Injuries and participation
Ever since Odunze said in the spring that last season’s foot injury required adjusting to a “new normal,” he and coaches have fielded periodic questions about his status.
Like others, Randle El contends that Odunze’s foot is a non-issue.
“Nothing has shown up,” he said. “I mean, he’s running good. He’s getting in and out of his cuts. It’s good to see.
“And I’m always looking. But I haven’t seen anything — anything. He’s been running smooth, getting out of his routes and doing everything we’ve asked him to do.”
Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson missed a fourth straight practice, and Allen didn’t know when he might return.
“That’s a medical question,” Allen said. “I’m sure Ben (Johnson) would be able to give you better information on that. I do think that he’s improving.”
In addition to Stevenson and Davenport, absences included quarterback Tyson Bagent, running back Kyle Monangai (knee), wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin), guard Luke Newman, center Wesley French, linebacker Tony Fields II and cornerbacks Jaylon Jones and Terell Smith.
Guard Joe Thuney and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett took a veteran’s rest day.
Offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie was back after leaving practice early Tuesday.