Caleb Williams and the Bears offense sputtered at July 24 training camp against a dominant defense. Are these early struggles just growing pains or a red flag?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
It was a tale of two units at Halas Hall on Thursday. While the revamped Bears defense brought the energy, the much-hyped offense led by rookie Caleb Williams hit its first major speed bump of training camp. Day 2 was marred by sloppy execution, raising early questions about a group carrying massive expectations for the 2025 season.
'We’ll get it right. Back to work tomorrow.' - Caleb Williams via Twitter, acknowledging the offense's struggles.
The connection between Caleb Williams and his receivers looked out of sync, with the rookie quarterback struggling to connect on deep balls throughout 11-on-11 drills. The issues weren't limited to the passing game; the entire unit was plagued by pre-snap penalties and missed assignments. Head coach Ben Johnson didn't hide his concern, stressing the need for immediate improvement. The struggles were amplified by the defense's dominant performance, a fact not lost on defensive end Montez Sweat, who posted, 'Defense bringing the energy every snap.' Williams himself took to social media to own the performance, tweeting, 'We’ll get it right. Back to work tomorrow,' a sign of the leadership fans have been hoping for.
Much of the focus is on the heated competition at left tackle. With Braxton Jones still ramping up after ankle surgery, Kiran Amegadjie and rookie Ozzy Trapilo both took first-team reps. Coach Johnson has made it clear that the starting job is wide open, making every practice critical. On the other side of the ball, the defensive line's strength is a key reason for the offense's troubles. The new-look front four of Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Grady Jarrett, and Gervon Dexter Sr. is expected to wreak havoc. Projections are high, with Sweat aiming for 6.2 sacks and newcomer Odeyingbo projected for 5.8, a significant boost to a unit that struggled last season.
This year's camp feels different because the expectations have been raised across the board. Las Vegas has set the Bears' win total at 8.5, a significant jump from last year's dismal 5-12 finish. The odds to win the NFC North (+550) and the Super Bowl (+4400) also reflect newfound respect. To reach that potential, the Bears must improve on their 3-7 record in one-possession games and their 1-5 divisional record from a year ago. Despite the offensive miscues, there are bright spots. Coach Johnson made a point to praise the running back room's motivation and competitive fire before practice, signaling that the ground game could be a major strength for the team.
One sloppy practice doesn't define a season, but it serves as a crucial reality check. All eyes will be on Williams and the offense to see how they respond in the coming days. The left tackle battle remains the one to watch, and the health of key playmakers like Luther Burden will be paramount. For now, it's clear the defense is ahead of the offense, setting the stage for some intense and compelling camp battles ahead.
