The first padded practice was a tough one for the Chicago Bears offense. They were plagued by multiple issues, including miscommunications on timing routes, pre-snap penalties, and inconsistent protection. All of that led to the defense controlling most of the action, and they made sure to let the offense hear about it. However, quarterback Caleb Williams didn’t let that rattle his guys. DeMarcus Walker tried to start a fight after a collision with Gerald Everett. The rookie immediately stepped in to break it up, barking at the veteran defensive end along the way.
Yet it didn’t end there. Rather than let the defense have the last word and regroup for the next practice, Williams chose to fire back. During a two-minute drill to end the session, the quarterback put together his best performance of training camp. It started with a pinpoint strike to Rome Odunze on an out route to convert a 3rd down.
From the 50-yard line, Williams struck again with a 15-yard throw to Keenan Allen. The timing and accuracy were on point. The quarterback showed zero hesitation.
Ever the drama king, Williams saved his biggest moment for last. After an incompletion on 1st down, the rookie pulled out that Superman cape to scramble out of trouble to his right, firing a gorgeous 35-yard bomb over a helpless Jaquan Brisker to Tyler Scott for a touchdown.
Most young quarterbacks would’ve accepted it wasn’t their day and told teammates to regroup for the next practice. Williams, though, is known for being a maniacal competitor. There is no way he’d let the defense get away with that, at least not without trying everything possible to retaliate. In the end, Williams got his wish. He rallied his guys on offense and executed probably the best two-minute drill of training camp so far. The fact he did it in the face of the starting defense should tell you a lot.
People shouldn’t read too much into the clunky overall afternoon the offense had. It’s the first padded practice. They are learning a new system under Shane Waldron. You always have to expect hiccups. What matters is whether they let the setbacks affect their operation over time. Caleb Williams made sure that didn’t happen. He knew the defense had owned the two-minute period for over a week. The best way to send them a message was by taking that away from them.
Wait until he starts doing that to other teams.
