Caleb Williams, Bears offense show good and bad on second day of training camp – NBC Sports Chicago

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Bears continued their intense practice Sunday with a 70-minute workout at Halas Hall that featured some more fireworks than the traditional Saturday opener.

Quarterback Caleb Williams again made quick decisions in the 7-on-7, going 4-of-5 with completions from cornerback DeAndre Swift, tight end Cole Kmet, wide receiver Tyler Scott and receiver Freddie Swain.

The only incomplete pass came to Williams when he tried to hit Scott on a long pass down the right sideline. Linebacker Jaylon Johnson was able to cover Scott well, and Williams’ pass went out of bounds.

The Williams-Scott duo got back into the game two plays later thanks to some great offensive play on the day.

Williams dropped back and watched as Scott made a run toward defensive back Kyler Gordon, who was running deep on the left side. The rookie quarterback placed the ball perfectly 30 yards downfield for a big lead.

While the offense outplayed the defense in the 7-on-7 period, the defense once again won the day in the two-minute drill.

The Bears concluded the day with a halftime scenario that gave the offense the ball on their own 30-yard line with 1:10 remaining and one timeout.

On the first try, Williams looked to be in good position for DJ Moore, but Gordon deflected the pass along the sideline. On the second try, defensive back Jervon Dexter blocked Williams’ pass, paving the way for a third try from 10 yards out.

Williams took possession of the ball and quickly connected with wide receiver Keenan Allen on a 10-yard touchdown run.

Defensive back Roshawn Johnson was able to send two consecutive passes to the opposing team’s 43-yard line with 16.8 seconds left.

On the second attempt, Williams dropped back and quickly scanned the field but didn’t find any immediate opportunities. Williams appeared to look for Scott on the left side, but Johnson closed in on the sophomore receiver. Williams quickly moved back to the right side and tried to force Moore to pass the ball from the side, but linebacker Tyreke Stevenson jumped the route and snatched the ball from Moore to end the drill with an interception.

Williams’ objection was a result of the situation, and it was a happy opportunity for the Bears staff to try to seize.

“It was a unique situation at the end where the clock was so low there, so there was a need to get into field goal range, a need to be aggressive with the ball, you know it’s an end of the half or end of the game situation, we’re going to mix and match those things, so there’s a good opportunity for us to be aggressive defensively and make great plays on the ball there,” offensive coordinator Shane Waldron said after practice.

“He’s shooting well there and trying to get the free throw, but it didn’t quite work out, and the defense did a good job. The mentality and knowing when those opportunities are right like that, knowing when we’re in or out of the free throw, outside or inside, all those things play a role.”

Here are more notes from the second day of training:

— Williams went 7-of-9 in the other two periods of 11-on-11 play. The rookie quarterback teamed up with Allen several times while passing the ball to Moore and Johnson for quick coverage.

Williams’ only mistake in those periods was when he passed the ball over the head of linebacker Cole Kmett, and safety Kevin Byard almost intercepted it.

The Bears were given one pre-snap penalty (false start) during the period due to a rhythm issue.

–After Ryan Bates got nearly all of the first-team snaps at center on Day 1, Coleman Shelton took over the position on Day 2.

With left back Braxton Jones still limited, the Bears’ starting offensive line consisted of Larry Burum, Tevin Jenkins, Shelton, Nate Davis and Darnell Wright.

Waldon said Williams is comfortable with Shelton and Betts at center.

— Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent made several nice passes to wide receiver Dante Pettis during 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 action.

— The Bears activated center Gerald Everett from the non-football injury list after practice.

— Quarterback Mercedes Lewis, wide receiver Nsimba Webster, linebacker Noah Sewell, Everett and offensive lineman Kiram Amegadji did not play Sunday. Jones and linebacker TJ Edwards were limited.

— Wide receiver Rome O’Donnell returned to practice after missing Saturday for personal reasons. He participated in individual drills but not team work.

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