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USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Caleb Williams will dictate how far the Bears will go this season
More than any team in the NFL, the Chicago Bears have seen how important it truly is to have a good quarterback. General manager Ryan Poles and staff are hoping they finally have one in Caleb Williams. The USC star has been under pressure since his arrival in Chicago. This season more than ever, with his team constructed around him, he holds the Bears' potential success in his hands. In the latest Bears Wire feature, Caleb Williams is named the second most important Bear for this upcoming season. Here are Brendan Sugrue and Alyssa Barbieri's thoughts on this ranking: "With a new scheme, a coach that has a history of getting the most out of the quarterback, and quality players at crucial positions, everything should be in place for Williams to take a leap in Year 2. It always comes down to the quarterback and whether or not he can be the transcendent signal caller that has eluded this franchise for years. While Williams has plenty to clean up going into this season, he set the bar higher than any other Bears rookie quarterback ever has. No quarterback in team history ever had a season with 3,500 passing yards, at least 20 touchdowns, and fewer than 10 interceptions before Williams. Add in that Johnson and his staff are working to break Williams of his bad habits and play within structure, and the stage is set for a leap forward in production. Just a few days into training camp, it's impossible to tell whether or not Williams will succeed. He has the tools and the resources to get there, though, and much of the Bears' success will hinge on his development." Last season the media was saying Caleb Williams had the most to work with out of any rookie quarterback in NFL history. That did not turn out to be true. This season, with an even better supporting cast, the expectations are high for Caleb. Even in the toughest moments last season Caleb showed flashes of potential. This season the Bears will need a lot more than flashes to take back the NFC North. The Bears can make all the additions they want, and they can hire the best coaching staff possible, but it will ultimately come down to Caleb Williams. Will he be exactly who we thought he was? With the talent Caleb Williams has, and the winning mindset he owns, we could see 2022 USC Trojan Caleb Williams. That would result in a very successful year for the Bears as they begin the Ben Johnson era.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Recapping Day 6 of Chicago Bears training camp
The Chicago Bears were back at Halas Hall for their fifth practice of training camp on Monday morning, where there were still plenty of notable headlines and standouts. The Bears were in pads for the second time during training camp, which is when the real evaluation begins for roster spots and position battles. It was the most physical practice of the summer so far, which featured live tackling with the offense starting off strong but the defense getting the last word. Quarterback Caleb Williams had another impressive practice while rookie tight end Colston Loveland continues to shine. Let's recap Day 6 of Bears training camp: What we learned Standouts Injury updates The Bears were without rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner (ankle), offensive lineman Bill Murray and rookie cornerback Zah Frazier (personal) once again. According to Brad Biggs, Turner is expected to miss four weeks with a high ankle sprain. So that'll give other plays, including Chris Williams and Zacch Pickens, a chance to step up in his absence. Defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon and offensive lineman Doug Kramer were back at practice on Tuesday. Meanwhile, rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III participated in team drills for the first time in training camp, and he's in the middle of his ramping up period. Highlights The Wizard of O.Z. 🪄 .@GradyJarrett gettin' after it 💥 Press conferences What's next The Bears are back on the practice field on Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. CT for their seventh practice of training camp. It marks the fourth open practice of the summer, where fans will be out in Halas Hall at full force. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears HC Ben Johnson explains how Luther Burden III is already behind
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is back on the practice field after missing most of the offseason program and the first four practices of training camp with a lingering hamstring injury. But the second-round rookie is already facing some adversity. Ahead of Tuesday's practice, head coach Ben Johnson discussed how the time that Burden missed with on-field reps after missing OTAs, minicamp and the beginning of training camp has impacted him. "It shows up already," Johnson said before Tuesday's practice. "I mean, we were in the walk-through yesterday afternoon and the misalignments – we have to re-huddle, we have to start it all over again. He's a little bit behind right now." That was evident on Tuesday, where Burden participated in team drills for the first time. Burden had some mental mistakes, including two different line of scrimmage penalties (according to Greg Braggs). One of those prompted Johnson to pull Burden out of a drill after he had trouble lining up in the right spot. If you recall, Johnson did something similar with the starting offense on Day 1 of training camp. Meanwhile, the starting offense has cleared things up just five practices later. It just goes to show that Burden is already behind the rest of the offense after missing those valuable on-field reps. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears HC Ben Johnson explains how Luther Burden III is already behind
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears training camp observations: Chicago brings physicality on Day 6
The Chicago Bears were back on the practice field at Halas Hall on Tuesday morning for the sixth practice of training camp -- and their second in pads this summer. The Bears had their most physical day of practice under head coach Ben Johnson, according to Greg Braggs, which included live tackling for the first time in camp this summer. While the offense had a nice day -- including quarterback Caleb Williams' best day so far -- the defense had a strong finish with a dominant performance during the two-minute drill, which had defensive end Montez Sweat all fired up. As far as attendance goes, rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III practiced for the first time during the team period. Center Doug Kramer and Tanoh Kpassagnon were back at practice. Meanwhile, rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner (ankle) and rookie cornerback Zah Frazier (personal) remain sidelined. Here are some observations, from media members and fans in attendance, following Tuesday's training camp practice: Most physical day of training camp so far Caleb Williams had his best day of camp Offense started strong, defense closed strong But the defense might get the overall edge today Luther Burden participated in team drills, but he made some mental mistakes Bears finding ways to get DJ Moore in space Colston Loveland continues to impress Dennis Allen's defense bringing the heat this summer Caleb Williams-Rome Odunze connection continues to thrive Tysheem Johnson really brought the physicality Attendance report Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears training camp observations: Chicago brings physicality on Day 6
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Recapping Day 5 of Chicago Bears training camp
The Chicago Bears were back at Halas Hall for their fifth practice of training camp on Monday morning, where there were still plenty of notable headlines and standouts. The Bears were in pads for the first time during training camp, which is when the real evaluation begins for roster spots and position battles. According to Brad Biggs, practice lasted roughly two hours in "sweltering humidity" where there was a "major emphasis on run game" with "some of the pass stuff was 1/2 speed or 2/3 speed, so not a lot to go off of." Let's recap Day 5 of Bears training camp: What we learned Standouts Injury updates While Luther Burden III made his return to practice, the Bears are still without rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner (ankle), rookie cornerback Zah Frazier (personal) and offensive lineman Doug Kramer. But there was some reassuring news with Kramer, who suffered a leg injury near the end of Saturday's practice. While he didn't participate on Monday, he was dubbed "day-to-day." In Kramer's absence, rookie Luke Newman got the work with the backup offensive line at center. Meanwhile, newly-signed defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon was carted off with apparent hand/wrist injury. Also, offensive lineman Bill Murray came off the field limping with an apparent left knee injury, which is something to monitor. Highlights Pads. On. 🔥 Luther Burden was back today and did some individual drills but did not do team drills. #Bears First Full Padded Practice and Coach Johnson Wants to See How this O Line Looks 👀 #Bears WR DJ Moore with a double pass to Caleb Williams👀 Press conferences What's next The Bears are back on the practice field on Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. CT for their sixth practice of training camp. It marks the third open practice of the summer, where fans will be out in Halas Hall at full force. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
