LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — At the foundation of the Bears' offseason program, head coach Matt Eberflus hopes his players find “core principles” that they can carry into the new season.
That's certainly the case for Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 22-year-old Williams is leading the offense for the first time as Chicago’s starting quarterback, and the goals for his work are straightforward, Eberflus said Thursday.
“Specifically with Caleb, it’s really just about when he can rip the call, get the call in and out of the huddle, breaking the huddle, having that pace that we need to have,” Eberflus said. “We’ve been doing the walk-throughs, and he’s been really good with that. This is the first time going against a pro defense and a pretty good one. So, it’s going to be learning for everybody. They’re getting everything together. It was progress. I saw progress from the first day to the second, the second to the third. So, it’s been good.
“I see progress. I see progress, for sure. That’s going to continue to be that way. He’s been in early, stays late, asking questions at night. He’s got his iPad at night in the hotel and has been working his tail off.”
Eberflus pointed to Williams’ understanding of the Bears’ offense and various coverages as part of the progress he has seen early on.
The Bears have held three practices in OTAs and two days of rookie minicamp in addition to their classroom work at Halas Hall. The team will conduct three more practices in OTAs and a three-day veteran minicamp – as well as rookie work following minicamp – before breaking in June and then reconvening for training camp in July.
Williams’ veteran teammates have been impressed by what he has shown in practice while also understanding that there's a learning curve ahead.
“I’m not going to lie, the first day, the offense kind of got after us a little bit,” Bears safety Kevin Byard said. “(Williams) was making some really good throws. We were in the (Walter Payton Center). He was making some good throws, and I mean some deep passes. He had a really good day. And then today we kind of got after him.
“I would just kind of tell him, like, 'Hey, days like this, just keep fighting, keep going, watch the them film, get better.' And that's for everyone on the team. Everything is not going to be peaches and cream.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 .
Local Chicago, IL
Most Popular
Comments / 0