The Bears conducted their 16th training camp practice Thursday at Halas Hall, a session that was open to the public. Here's what transpired:
For the second straight day, quarterback Caleb Williams looked sharp in a two-minute drill, putting the Bears in position to kick a go-ahead field goal.
Trailing 21-20, he rifled a pinpoint pass over the middle to receiver Rome Odunze and followed with another completion to Odunze to put the Bears in field-goal range. On Wednesday, Williams connected with receiver Olamide Zaccheaus on three straight plays to set up a Cairo Santos field goal.
Right guard Jonah Jackson, who was acquired by the Bears via an offseason trade, has been impressed with Williams since the beginning of training camp.
"I think he's been on his stuff since Day 1," Jackson said. "I've been around veteran quarterbacks my entire career, and he has the same way about himself, like these guys. He's a good leader, guys respect him. Having a new offense is definitely something to adjust to, but I feel like he's doing great."
Loving the process
The No. 2 defense got off the field on the first play of its two-minute drill as defensive back Josh Blackwell intercepted a pass over the middle.
Blackwell has been a valuable member of the Bears since his arrival in 2022, excelling on both defense and special teams. Last season he recorded his first career interception in a win over the Jaguars and returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown on a trick play in a victory over the Packers, earning NFC special teams player of the week honors.
Last Sunday, Blackwell led the Bears with two special teams tackles in their 24-24 preseason-opening tie with the Dolphins at Soldier Field.
"I'm blessed to coach him," said special teams coordinator Richard Hightower. "He is a very cerebral player that sits in the front row and he's always trying to get better. He's always asking for tape of people with his stature, with his size, with moves that he can use to go out there and get better at.
"I just appreciate the genuine love and passion that he has for the process. I want players that love the process. If you've got guys like that and they've got a little bit of talent, then it's our job to get them going."
Hightower described Blackwell's value as "astronomical."
"His value is huge to me and to the rest of the team," Hightower said. "He made plays on Sunday. He's made plays throughout his career. He's played at a Pro Bowl level."
Blackwell entered the NFL in 2022 as an undrafted free agent with the Eagles. He was waived as part of final cuts and claimed by the Bears the next day.
"He's a problem for people," Hightower said. "Every coordinator we play has a discussion about '39' and how good he is, and, where you got him from, and 'How did your scouting department find him? How did we miss him?' We've just got to keep him going. We're looking for more from him this year."
Fun and games
The Bears ended practice by lining up an offensive lineman as a receiver running a route and a defensive lineman in coverage. The six players involved weigh a combined 1,815 pounds. Williams threw all three passes.
First, right tackle Darnell Wright leaped over defensive end Montez Sweat to catch a pass downfield. Jackson then beat defensive tackle Andrew Billings deep but dropped the ball.
"Fifty-fifty-ball," Jackson said. "It's either a touchdown or a drop. I'll take my odds."
After splitting the first two reps, the offense won the drill when left guard Joe Thuney beat defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and caught a slant pass. Members of the defense each had to do 10 pushups while the offense celebrated.
Game reps coming
Jackson is excited that the starters will see their first preseason action Sunday night when the Bears host the Bills at Soldier Field.
Asked what he will get out of the outing, Jackson said: "You get everything. It's game reps, it's live reps. They can hit the quarterback now, so you've got to be on your Ps and Qs and make sure you're doing your job right."
Same guy
Jackson spent his first four NFL seasons with the Lions from 2020-23 when Bears coach Ben Johnson served as a Detroit offensive assistant.
"He's really always carried himself like the head coach, like the boss," Jackson said. "He's got some swag to him. I think he's the same guy as he was before."
When a player makes a mistake, Johnson isn't shy about pointing it out—and that's just fine with Jackson.
"You want those things," he said. "That critical feedback is something we all need to help us develop and get better."
Forming an identity
Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. is excited about playing in new coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme.
"The identity of the defense is we are going to play hard, we are going to stop the run, we are going to be sticky in coverage and we are going to rush well," Dexter said. "We are going to be physical. It's going to be a physical defense. That's what we are going to hold ourselves on."
Dexter praised Jarrett for the impact he's made in his first year with the Bears.
"He's a leader on the field," Dexter said. "He communicates very well. Sometimes, Grady knows what's about to happen based on formations before it happens. There's been times where he will tell me. 'Hey G, this is about to happen.' Now I can play even faster and make plays off of that."
