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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams scrambled right, contorted his body awkwardly as he threw off balance, yet lobbed a beautiful rainbow to wide receiver Rome Odunze for a touchdown.
Such theatrics would’ve been nothing out of the ordinary on a Sunday afternoon last season, and Williams picked up where he left off during 11-on-11 drills Thursday on the second day of organized team activities at Halas Hall.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I saw that,” wide receiver Luther Burden III said. “Already knew it was money.
“It was a great play. Him and Rome have a great connection. We’ve been working on our scramble drill a lot this year. The coaches (have been) harping on it. It was great to see it happen in practice.”
The Bears practiced in shells with no tackling, also performing special teams and seven-on-seven drills.
Several players weren’t spotted on the field, including veteran defensive end Montez Sweat, rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad and rookie linebacker Keyshaun Elliott. Others who are rehabbing season-ending injuries from 2025 — including defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo, linebackers T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo — weren’t expected to participate.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson fully participated, while nickel back Kyler Gordon was limited to warmups.
Players can shine during OTAs with limited contact. Rookie wide receiver Zavion Thomas beat cornerback Tyrique Stevenson on a go route up the left sideline. Rookie safety Dillon Thieneman nearly intercepted Tyson Bagent on a sideline pass to Thomas, but the ball slipped through his fingers. Defensive backs Dallis Flowers and Dontae Manning batted down passes on back-to-back plays.
The Bears have been intent on building on last season’s foundation, which saw them reach the divisional round of the playoffs
“We’re off to a really good start,” coach Ben Johnson said before practice. “(It) has a lot to do with how we go about our business, particularly now that we’re on the grass together as a full 90-man roster, coaches and players together on this thing.
“Here’s what I know about our group right now: We’ve got a bunch of really hard workers. I couldn’t be more impressed with the last 5½ weeks and how they’ve approached their business. Really excited to get another good day of OTAs in.”
Here are three other things we learned Thursday.
The Bears were plagued by presnap penalties last year during training camp and the early part of the season. They eventually corrected that pattern, but referees flagged the offense Thursday for a couple of false starts.
“It’s early,” running back D’Andre Swift said. “Day 2 out there, second install, and that’s us trying to be perfect and I think move too fast. … It takes time, I guess.”
Few would’ve accused the Bears of moving too fast last season. While their 64.9 offensive plays per game were the second-most in the league, according to Sharp Football Analysis, they ranked just 23rd in neutral dropback rate (56.8%), an indicator of an offense’s pace.
As the Bears learned last year, slowness getting to the line of scrimmage and their penchant for presnap penalties often were connected.
“We struggled to break the huddle at times last year in the spring and in training camp,” Johnson said before practice Thursday. “One day down, but we didn’t have that issue (Wednesday). So the communication in the huddle, what it looks like to break the huddle, the urgency to line of scrimmage, the tempo that we want to stress the defense with.”
Part of Williams’ focus in his third offseason is to shepherd that process like a veteran.
“The quarterback plays a huge part in that,” Johnson said. “He orchestrates the whole operation, and those guys have taken that to heart. And so from that aspect, (I) feel really good about where we’re at.”
The weeks preceding free agency and following the draft centered on one message: The Bears need a difference maker on the defensive line, particularly on the edge.
And the critiques were harsh, implying the Bears don’t have the talent to raise their 27th-ranked pressure rate of 31.6%.
“Yeah, we all got cellphones and internet,” veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said with a laugh. “So we hear it, man. But it also comes with the job, you know.
“And at the end of the day, we’ve got to really take it personal and get back to work. Even if sometimes your best ain’t good enough. So you’ve got to find out: ‘Where can I be better?’”
While there’s still a possibility reinforcements may be coming, for the most part the Bears have what they have. The team’s brass received backlash for failing to address the No. 1 offseason priority — the pass rush.
No trade for an elite edge rusher such as Maxx Crosby. No high-end draft prospect such as Keldric Faulk or T.J. Parker. Instead, the message from Johnson was for his staff to “coach better.”
He and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen doubled down on that narrative, saying they’ve placed a renewed emphasis on fundamentals and less focus on the playbook.
“Our coaches are teaching at a very high level, whereas last year we might have put in a lot of scheme,” Johnson said. “Now it’s a little bit more fundamental- and technique-driven, which we feel like is where we need to be this time of year. We’ll get to the scheme part later on.”
Earlier this month, defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett broke down the back-to-basics approach: “Attack more,” be consistent in your mechanics and tailor your scheme to the talent on hand.
Jarrett said there’s still a thing or two he can learn, even as a veteran entering his 12th NFL season.
For instance, “We’ve got to have a good start,” he said. “Whether it’s our stance, knowing the mindset and how we’re going to play a certain play, technique.”
When asked if a veteran like himself would be resistant to going back to basics, Jarrett shot back, “Guys like that, they don’t make it to Year 12,” citing the work ethic of athletes such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Derek Jeter and Tiger Woods.
“I mean, I’ve done some nice things in my career, but I ain’t done no Michael Jordan, LeBron James stuff so far,” Jarrett continued. “So how can they say, ‘I’m going to put in the work every day,’ and I think I’ve arrived? So it’s just humbling yourself and also thinking, ‘Why not try to be the best you can be every day?’”
The No. 1 in the Bears’ one-two punch with Kyle Monangai had a renaissance season: career highs of 1,087 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.
“It was a good year, solid,” Swift said. “I was able to capitalize off the opportunities I was given. I still feel like I left something out there. That’s just me being critical of myself.”
He elaborated: “Detailed stuff as far as tracks, aiming points, just being consistent with those types of things.”
The seventh-year veteran has room for growth. Swift had 299 yards on 34 catches, the fewest receptions in his career.
There were a lot of mouths to feed in Johnson’s passing game, but Swift was more of a factor during three seasons in Detroit, where he averaged 52 catches.
“Just the quarterback finding me, me being able to make things happen,” Swift said. “That’s it. Really just getting the ball (into) my hands.”
Continue reading...
Such theatrics would’ve been nothing out of the ordinary on a Sunday afternoon last season, and Williams picked up where he left off during 11-on-11 drills Thursday on the second day of organized team activities at Halas Hall.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I saw that,” wide receiver Luther Burden III said. “Already knew it was money.
“It was a great play. Him and Rome have a great connection. We’ve been working on our scramble drill a lot this year. The coaches (have been) harping on it. It was great to see it happen in practice.”
The Bears practiced in shells with no tackling, also performing special teams and seven-on-seven drills.
Several players weren’t spotted on the field, including veteran defensive end Montez Sweat, rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad and rookie linebacker Keyshaun Elliott. Others who are rehabbing season-ending injuries from 2025 — including defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo, linebackers T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo — weren’t expected to participate.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson fully participated, while nickel back Kyler Gordon was limited to warmups.
Players can shine during OTAs with limited contact. Rookie wide receiver Zavion Thomas beat cornerback Tyrique Stevenson on a go route up the left sideline. Rookie safety Dillon Thieneman nearly intercepted Tyson Bagent on a sideline pass to Thomas, but the ball slipped through his fingers. Defensive backs Dallis Flowers and Dontae Manning batted down passes on back-to-back plays.
The Bears have been intent on building on last season’s foundation, which saw them reach the divisional round of the playoffs
“We’re off to a really good start,” coach Ben Johnson said before practice. “(It) has a lot to do with how we go about our business, particularly now that we’re on the grass together as a full 90-man roster, coaches and players together on this thing.
“Here’s what I know about our group right now: We’ve got a bunch of really hard workers. I couldn’t be more impressed with the last 5½ weeks and how they’ve approached their business. Really excited to get another good day of OTAs in.”
Here are three other things we learned Thursday.
1. Caleb Williams’ homework: Run a cleaner huddle.
The Bears were plagued by presnap penalties last year during training camp and the early part of the season. They eventually corrected that pattern, but referees flagged the offense Thursday for a couple of false starts.
“It’s early,” running back D’Andre Swift said. “Day 2 out there, second install, and that’s us trying to be perfect and I think move too fast. … It takes time, I guess.”
Few would’ve accused the Bears of moving too fast last season. While their 64.9 offensive plays per game were the second-most in the league, according to Sharp Football Analysis, they ranked just 23rd in neutral dropback rate (56.8%), an indicator of an offense’s pace.
As the Bears learned last year, slowness getting to the line of scrimmage and their penchant for presnap penalties often were connected.
“We struggled to break the huddle at times last year in the spring and in training camp,” Johnson said before practice Thursday. “One day down, but we didn’t have that issue (Wednesday). So the communication in the huddle, what it looks like to break the huddle, the urgency to line of scrimmage, the tempo that we want to stress the defense with.”
Part of Williams’ focus in his third offseason is to shepherd that process like a veteran.
“The quarterback plays a huge part in that,” Johnson said. “He orchestrates the whole operation, and those guys have taken that to heart. And so from that aspect, (I) feel really good about where we’re at.”
2. The defensive line hears the message loud and clear.
The weeks preceding free agency and following the draft centered on one message: The Bears need a difference maker on the defensive line, particularly on the edge.
And the critiques were harsh, implying the Bears don’t have the talent to raise their 27th-ranked pressure rate of 31.6%.
“Yeah, we all got cellphones and internet,” veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said with a laugh. “So we hear it, man. But it also comes with the job, you know.
“And at the end of the day, we’ve got to really take it personal and get back to work. Even if sometimes your best ain’t good enough. So you’ve got to find out: ‘Where can I be better?’”
While there’s still a possibility reinforcements may be coming, for the most part the Bears have what they have. The team’s brass received backlash for failing to address the No. 1 offseason priority — the pass rush.
No trade for an elite edge rusher such as Maxx Crosby. No high-end draft prospect such as Keldric Faulk or T.J. Parker. Instead, the message from Johnson was for his staff to “coach better.”
He and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen doubled down on that narrative, saying they’ve placed a renewed emphasis on fundamentals and less focus on the playbook.
“Our coaches are teaching at a very high level, whereas last year we might have put in a lot of scheme,” Johnson said. “Now it’s a little bit more fundamental- and technique-driven, which we feel like is where we need to be this time of year. We’ll get to the scheme part later on.”
Earlier this month, defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett broke down the back-to-basics approach: “Attack more,” be consistent in your mechanics and tailor your scheme to the talent on hand.
Jarrett said there’s still a thing or two he can learn, even as a veteran entering his 12th NFL season.
For instance, “We’ve got to have a good start,” he said. “Whether it’s our stance, knowing the mindset and how we’re going to play a certain play, technique.”
When asked if a veteran like himself would be resistant to going back to basics, Jarrett shot back, “Guys like that, they don’t make it to Year 12,” citing the work ethic of athletes such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Derek Jeter and Tiger Woods.
“I mean, I’ve done some nice things in my career, but I ain’t done no Michael Jordan, LeBron James stuff so far,” Jarrett continued. “So how can they say, ‘I’m going to put in the work every day,’ and I think I’ve arrived? So it’s just humbling yourself and also thinking, ‘Why not try to be the best you can be every day?’”
3. D’Andre Swift feels there’s more on the table.
The No. 1 in the Bears’ one-two punch with Kyle Monangai had a renaissance season: career highs of 1,087 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.
“It was a good year, solid,” Swift said. “I was able to capitalize off the opportunities I was given. I still feel like I left something out there. That’s just me being critical of myself.”
He elaborated: “Detailed stuff as far as tracks, aiming points, just being consistent with those types of things.”
The seventh-year veteran has room for growth. Swift had 299 yards on 34 catches, the fewest receptions in his career.
There were a lot of mouths to feed in Johnson’s passing game, but Swift was more of a factor during three seasons in Detroit, where he averaged 52 catches.
“Just the quarterback finding me, me being able to make things happen,” Swift said. “That’s it. Really just getting the ball (into) my hands.”
Continue reading...
