Takeaways from the Bears' joint practice with Bills

USA Today

a day ago

The Chicago Bears were back at Halas Hall on Friday for a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills, which featured some notable headlines.
While the Bears flat-out dominated the Miami Dolphins in last week's joint practice, it was more balanced against the Super Bowl contending Bills. But that's not to say this Dennis Allen defense didn't bring the heat, as the defense got after quarterback Josh Allen, including intercepting him three times. Meanwhile, quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense got off to an impressive start and faced some adversity during red zone and two-minute drill. But it was an overall successful practice, where Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus shined. Although, there's huge concerns about the Bears' left tackle battle and pre-snap penalties.
Here's what we learned from the Bears' joint practice with the Bills, from Chicago's defensive dominance to Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus' big days to concerns at left tackle.
No clarity at left tackle
The Bears are no closer to determining their starting left tackle for Week 1, which is less than ideal with the competition nearly a month in the works. In fact, it sounds like the Bears might have an issue at the position. Head coach Ben Johnson wanted clarity at the position. Unfortunately, Friday's practice provided more uncertainty than clarity during a practice where Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet rotated with the starters while rookie Ozzy Trapilo continued to work at right tackle with the second team. According to Pat the Designer, "The Bears don't have a single tackle on the left side worth talking about." Zack Pearson said there are "legit concerns" at left tackle. Dionne Miller said there's "no clarity at this point." Which is certainly cause for concern.
Bears secondary made life rough on Josh Allen
Last week, Chicago's defense set the tone early in a dominant effort against the Miami Dolphins. While the Bills found a little more success, the Bears defense once again set the tone with its aggressive play under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Chicago's defense, namely the defensive backs, made things difficult on Bills quarterback Josh Allen, per Alex Shapiro, as the QB was intercepted three times on the afternoon by safety Kevin Byard, cornerback Nahshon Wright and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. According to Chris Maltby, the defensive backs were "getting chippy" with Bills wide receivers which led to "early success and a lot of PBUs." At one point, Brisker had back-to-back pass breakups (including a near interception) when covering Dawson Knox, per Zack Pearson. Byard's interception was his second in as many joint practices. While Allen and the Buffalo offense did have their moments, the first-team defense "was making life difficult on Allen," per DaWindyCity Productions, where there were multiple picks and "not much separation being allowed."
The Caleb Williams-Rome Odunze connection continues to thrive
It's becoming very clear that Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze are going to be a deadly duo in their second seasons in the NFL. Williams and Odunze's connection has been the talk of the last three practices, and that carried over into Friday's joint practice when Williams threw two touchdowns to Odunze during low red zone, per Greg Braggs. He described them: "The first TD was a beauty. Rome comes across the back of the end zone from the right and comes wide open as the protection was perfect. Braxton in at LT. The second touchdown was a quick out to the left and Rome rolls in for the confirmed TD." According to DaWindyCity Productions, "Caleb has developed really strong chemistry with Odunze this camp."
All Olamide Zaccheaus does is make plays
While all eyes will be on DJ Moore and Rome Odunze this season, the Bears have a stacked receivers room, and newcomer Olamide Zaccheaus is making his case for playing time as he continues to develop a rapport with quarterback Caleb Williams. Zaccheaus has been a standout throughout the summer, where Adam Jahns noted that Zaccheaus continues to stack good days in training camp. Kevin Fishbain added that "all Olamide Zaccheaus does is make plays," which was evident during Friday's joint practice. DaWindyCity Productions noted that Zaccheaus was a stud. "He continually made plays all over the field, created separation, made fantastic catches." That included the highlight play of the workout when he hauled in a catch from Williams and took it 45 yards to the house for a touchdown. Greg Braggs said "Caleb led him beautifully and OZ did the rest with yards after the catch. Blockers ahead helped clear the way including Colston Loveland."
Pre-snap penalties continue to linger
Stop me if you've heard this one before, but the Bears offense is still struggling with pre-snap penalties. It's been a lingering issue throughout training camp, and it reared its ugly head in all three offensive units against the Bills. According to Zack Pearson, they committed back-to-back false start penalties during the move the ball drill. Gregg Braggs tallied the false start penalties at that point, where it was seven total (four for the first team, two for the second team and one for the third team).
Injury updates
As far as injuries go, rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner returned to practice for the first time since the start of camp. But he didn't participate in team drills as he ramps back up to action. Meanwhile, quarterback Case Keenum is day-to-day with a leg injury. There was an injury scare where tight end Cole Kmet came up limping during a red-zone drill, but he returned to the field.