The Bears conducted a training camp practice in shells that was open to the media Tuesday. Here's everything that transpired throughout the day at Halas Hall:
Prior to Tuesday's practice, coach Ben Johnson spoke highly of quarterback Caleb Williams' ability to succeed in two-minute situations.
About 90 minutes later, Williams showcased that talent on the field, operating a two-minute drill that ended with a touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet. The score came one play after Williams connected with receiver Rome Odunze on a deep ball near the right sideline.
"I think that's just where he feels most natural," Johnson said. "I think that's over the course of high school, college and now pros, that's probably where he's accumulated the most number of snaps and so naturally that's where he thrives. He feels pretty good being on the ball, no huddle, tempo-type plays. He's got a flair for the dramatic.
"He understands situations, he knows where he needs to break the pocket and extend and he's doing a great job right now understanding when to check the ball down and let our guys go run after the catch a little bit."
Not pointing fingers
Johnson was asked about the slow start by the first-team offense in Sunday night's preseason finale against the Chiefs, where the group rebounded to get points on the last two of their four possessions. He reiterated what he said in his postgame conference, saying that the start was "not what we want to be about."
"It's everybody, and it's coaches included in all this thing." Johnson said. "We're not pointing fingers. The whole thing is we've just got to be focused, we've got to be intentional. We like to talk about, 'if we get 70 plays in a game, those are 70 bullets for us to shoot for and we need for each one to count. We can't be missing. We can't be wasting.'
"I think that's the mantra that we've been talking about as coaches, and the players are really taking to that. Just that awareness level that there are no breather plays in this league. Each thing is really important. The details are really important, and I think it's going to add up and we'll be just fine."
Swift stands out
After not playing in the first two preseason games, running back D'Andre Swift stood out against the Chiefs, particularly on a six-yard screen pass in the first quarter where he hurdled a defender.
Johnson has previously lauded Swift – who in Detroit from 2020-22 when Johnson was tight ends coach and offensive coordinator – for his running style and sense of motivation going into this season. Seeing Swift show off his talent with a small number of carries in Kansas City was a positive for the Bears coach.
"He's got that ability to be a spark for us," Johnson said. "I've known that for years about the guy. Particularly when we're a little bit stale coming out of the gate, he wants to be that guy to get us back on track, and I think that's what the good running backs do in this league. Their teammates will feed off of them. All it takes is for one big play. He had the hurdle on the sideline and I thought that was a good thing to see.
"[He's an] explosive player, want to get the ball in his hands with some space as much as we possibly can, and I thought the cool thing you saw in that game was a couple short yardage opportunities and he was one to lower his shoulders and find a way to get the yard. Happy with where he's at right now."
Swift spoke to the media Tuesday after practice and when asked about Johnson's praise, discussed his focus on being intentional with everything he does.
"I'm myself every single day," Swift said. "I'm just excited for that opportunity with the new staff and the new guys that we have on this offense. I approach every single day with the 'prove it' mentality. Just try to improve on something every single day, with the weight coach, EB (running backs coach Eric Bieniemy) and coach Ben and everybody else on the offensive staff. The details. I just try to be real intentional."
With Roschon Johnson and Kyle Monangai sidelined due to injuries, Swift was the only running back participating in practice Tuesday, which allowed him to take the majority of reps both in individual and team drills as well as 1-on-1 work with Bieniemy.
The sixth-year pro laughed when asked about being Bieniemy's sole focus during the practice, but also discussed how the veteran coach's experience has helped him improve throughout training camp.
"He's just very intelligent," Swift said. "Very intelligent. Very detailed with his teaching, and I wouldn't even say he overcoaches, but he overcoaches some things to make sure that you understand. He's communicating very well, everything. And everything in the offense, whether it's the concepts, he makes sure you understand everything so you can play faster."
Year 2 growth for Odunze
At the beginning of training camp, Johnson referred to Rome Odunze as fitting the "prototypical X receiver" role, highlighting his talents in one-on-one matchups and as a detailed route runner.
Odunze noted that he appreciates those words from his coach and explained that his main focus as he heads into his second NFL season is being an asset to the offense in whatever way Johnson envisions.
"I'm just trying to continue to grow," Odunze said. "The depth of his offensive mind is very extensive, so just trying to learn all of it, the ins and outs and just try to be a key player within that. I've worked hard the entire camp to be a guy that he can utilize in many different facets, whether that's outside, inside. I see DJ [Moore] taking a couple reps at running back, so [I] might have to get a few of those. Really, it's just try to be available in any way possible to make plays for the team."
As last year's No. 9 overall pick in the draft, Odunze put together a solid rookie campaign where he played in all 17 contests, including 12 starts, and recorded 54 catches for 734 yards and three touchdowns.
Still, Odunze knew there was plenty of room for improvement in all areas of his game. Now at the end of his second training camp, he believes he grew the most in operating at an NFL level.
"I think I've just kind of conformed to the NFL receiver play," Odunze said. "Honestly, I think I was a little bit more rugged in my college wide receiver play, just kinda making plays where I needed to make plays. I obviously had discipline within route running and different things, but I feel like I've took those things to another notch, understanding windows, understanding leverages of defenses and the cornerbacks and all those different things, where safeties are playing."
Part of Odunze's growth between Year 1 and Year 2 can be attributed to his close bond with fellow 2024 first-round draft pick Caleb Williams. That relationship has allowed Williams to trust Odunze in tough situations and within tight window throws throughout a game.
"I think we just kind of connected early in our relationship in that dynamic," Odunze said. "I got to see him in college, so I've seen those plays. I got to watch on the sideline, 'Ok, you can make something happen from wherever on the field.' So, I guess kind of in the back of my mind I know the play is never over, and I just try to find a spot that has some space, has some green grass.
"We obviously connected on a couple of those in season, so I think that just kind of builds our chemistry. Obviously, out here on the practice fields as well and continuing going into the season, so he makes plays back there, and I just try to be an asset for him."
