LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The final mandatory minicamp practices Thursday were short for Caleb Williams and the Bears.
But it was enough for the rookie quarterback to show off his rare arm talent and the progress he’s making in adapting to the speed of an elite defense.
During 7-on-7 work, Williams opened his eyes with two surgical passes.
On first down, Williams dropped back and quickly scanned the defense before ripping a laser to DJ Moore in the back of the end zone. Williams installed the ball in a very tight window, while Tyreek Stevenson provided tight coverage.
The next dime came a few plays later when Williams perfectly placed the ball over the heads of several defenders, including cornerback Jaylon Johnson, and straight into the hands of a jumping Roma Udunze, who dropped both feet inbounds into the back corner of the goal. End zone.
Williams faced tough patches during his early NFL education, but he continues to progress, and his rare ability continues to shine against the Bears’ defense.
“I thought from day one he definitely improved,” linebacker TJ Edwards said of Williams. “You definitely see some things that you wouldn’t really expect a rookie to do. You know, he touched us a few times with his eyes. On the first day, it kind of intrigued Tremaine and I, but it’s definitely impressive.”
While Williams shined in the 7-on-7 period, the defense outperformed the offense during the only 11-on-11 period in the red zone.
On the first play, the Bears’ offense attempted a double pass, but Keenan Allen’s rebound to DeAndre Swift was incomplete.
“Yes, why not? Why not?” “It’s a game,” head coach Matt Eberlfuss said of the trick play. “Let’s go. We have several of them.”
Williams’ next two passes — one to tight end Gerald Everett and the other to Allen — were incomplete.
After a punt and a quarterback draw, Williams’ final pass of the period was tipped to Allen in the back of the end zone. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was under coverage and appeared to push Allen as the ball arrived. Allen couldn’t get the pass down and looked to Eberflus for a pass interference call. With no referees on site Thursday, Eberflus neglected to throw the minicamp flag and shut down the defense.
Defensive end DeMarcus Walker shouted, “Not even one touchdown!” The defense also retreated to their sideline.
Here are more notes from the final day of minicamp:
-The Bears had some notable absences on Thursday.
Left tackle Braxton Jones and cornerback Kyler Gordon were not present. Gordon woke up with lower back tightness, and the Bears held him out for precautionary reasons, Eberflus said.
Right guard Nate Davis, tight end Cole Kmet, and wide receiver Tyler Scott did not participate.
Rookie tackle Kieran Ameghadji continues to rehabilitate from a quad injury he suffered last season for Yale.
– Odunze’s professionalism and ability to learn quickly has been evident to Eberflus and his staff over the past six weeks.
“Roma really impressed us with his ability to grasp concepts and execute them with certainty,” Eberflus said.
-The Bears will hold a final OTA session next week, which will be for starters only. The veterans were sent off after Thursday’s practice to keep their bodies fresh, with the start of training camp arriving early due to the Hall of Fame matchup.
“It’s kind of a middle school kind of thing,” Eberflus said. “We’re working with our up-and-coming skill players, and then Caleb will still be here, and it’s the same in defence. It’s just a matter of relearning, reinstalling and then coming up with a game plan for the summer.”
-Williams, who does not have an NFLPA-certified agent, remains unsigned but is not concerned about a contract situation that is working itself out.
“I’m not dealing with that,” Williams said. “I’ve been focused on the last three days of minicamp, the OTAs before that and rookie camp before that. I haven’t focused on that.” [General manager Ryan Poles] My team focused on that. I have lawyers to handle matters like this so I can be free in the field, enjoy coming to work every day and doing my best.
-The Bears announced they will hold a joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals on August 15. The Bears and Bengals play a preseason game at Soldier Field on Aug. 17.
Click here to follow the Under Center Podcast.
