OTA Observations: Caleb Williams, offensive struggles against ‘salty’ defense originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Bears veteran safety Kevin Byard said rookie quarterback Caleb Williams went on defense during the first day of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) at Halas Hall earlier this week.
That wasn’t the case Thursday during the first media preview session.
Williams and the Bears’ offense struggled in both 7-on-7 work and the 11-on-11 red zone period, during which the rookie quarterback completed just four passes while being “sacked” five times.
The Bears’ offense was without rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze (hamstring), as well as wide receiver Keenan Allen, right guard Nate Davis and right tackle Darnell Wright, who were not present.
Williams had multiple completions to running back D’Andre Swift during the 11-on-11 period. He also linked up with tight end Gerald Everett once.
But Williams held the ball too long and had several passes broken up by a secondary that covered DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, Everett, Tyler Scott and Dante Pettis.
The Bears defense, which is always vocal, made sure the offense knew it had its number today.
“We had a really good practice out there today. The guys were really flying, really salty,” defensive coordinator Eric Washington said after practice.
“I mean, we had a good day,” Byard said. “I’m not going to sit here and lie about it. But to be honest, it’s to be expected. You have a top-15, top-10 defense, obviously facing a younger rookie quarterback who’s acclimating and learning things, it’s like that. it should be.”
As the incompletions and “sacks” mounted, frustration mounted for Williams and the Bears’ offense.
Wide receiver DJ Moore knows there will be “growing pains” with a rookie quarterback. Patience will be essential as everyone works to learn a new offense and upgrade Williams.
“It’s frustrating, but we also know we’re learning a new system,” Moore said. “Have they been in this system for about three years? And then they don’t make it better by the fact that they’re there having fun with it and we’re frustrated because we’re not accomplishing what we want. But on the other hand, we know we are still learning and coming together as an offense.
Moore makes a point of conveying this need for patience to Williams, which is already showing “progress” in learning and operating the Bears offense.
“You have to do that because our defense can get pretty rowdy, as you all know,” Moore said. “Just calming everyone down in the huddle and just refocusing is the best thing.”
Williams teamed with Moore in a tight finish against Tyrique Stevenson in 7-on-7 work. But he also nearly got picked off by Jaylon Johnson. The cornerback made a good break on a forward route and hit a pick, leading to some side bends and sit-ups.
Williams made a beautiful throw on a deep pass to tight end Stephen Carlson, but was stopped by the combination of Byard and linebacker TJ Edwards.
Here are more notes from Thursday’s OTA session:
– Allen, Davis, Wright, Montez Sweat, Velus Jones Jr. and Jaylon Jones were absent.
Coach Matt Eberflus said the Bears had near-perfect attendance this offseason and that the players who weren’t present Thursday were in the building throughout the offseason.
– Washington said Sweat has been communicating with himself and the team during the off-season when he is not in the building.
“I have been in contact with him and he has been an active participant,” Washington said. “I talked to him a little bit before I went to Nashville and we had a chance to visit with him and talk and just talk about where we are in the offseason. continues to take advantage of this offseason.”
– Odunze strained his hamstring in rookie minicamp and is still working his way back. The Bears believe he will be able to “step up” next week in OTAs. Odunze did some light work on Thursday.
– Allen was absent due to his wife and daughter’s birthdays.
– The Bears’ defense will rely on second-year defensive back Gervon Dexter to step up this season. Eberflus and his team noticed a difference when Dexter returned to Halas Hall.
“I noticed body composition first. It was really good. He changed his body during his time off, so he’s a lot leaner now and faster,” Eberflus said of Dexter. “He really looks good in terms of his output. That was one thing he had to work on and then level out, because he’s a really big, tall guy. And he worked on those things. But his movement, his athleticism, the skill is still better now because he really worked on his body.”
– While Moore knows there will be growing pains with Williams, he has been impressed with how the rookie is handling everything presented to him during his NFL debut.
“You can see the natural leadership is there, the natural arm talent is there,” Moore said. “Everything about him is always positive. Even when he makes a bad move, he tries to learn quickly afterwards. “
– The second-string offense had a highlight on Thursday when Tyson Bagent hit undrafted rookie John Jackson III for a touchdown in the red zone.
