Bears' Mandatory Minicamp: Veteran defensive addition continues setting the tone against the growing offense
The Chicago Bears started the next phase of the offseason program on Tuesday with the start of mandatory minicamp and the struggles still were prevalent for the growing offense led by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.Just like during organized team activities (OTAs), the Bears' top ranked defense isn't taking it easy on their new franchise quarterback […]
The Chicago Bears started the next phase of the offseason program on Tuesday with the start of mandatory minicamp and the struggles still were prevalent for the growing offense led by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Just like during organized team activities (OTAs), the Bears' top ranked defense isn't taking it easy on their new franchise quarterback while the unit continues to learn the new system being installed in practice.
The unit did see a big boost with wide receiver Keenan Allen back and present during practice but the defense will get their own boost soon when defensive end Montez Sweat ramps up and participates during team drills.
Overall, it was much of the same on the practice field at Halas Hall with the defense having most of the praise on the field but the development of Williams was still noticeable. According to head coach Matt Eberflus, the offense started out the day strong but the defense fired back by the end of the day.
"In the huddle, he was crisp and clear and all those things," tight end Cole Kmet said. "I think that just comes with confidence in the playbook that he’s gaining and like I said, kind of finding his own voice with the cadence because that’s definitely something that if you can get going, you can weaponize."
As ESPN's Courtney Cronin reported following practice, Williams went 13-15 during 7-on-7 drills but had a slight hiccup on one play in particular that led to an interception by veteran safety Kevin Byard.
"Those are the experiences that he has to go through," Eberflus explained. "He has to go through his progressions which he did, he was right on his progressions, and then he took a hitch and the ball should have came out. He took two hitches and it was laid over the middle. That's always dangerous when you do that, but that's a learning experience in the process that a young quarterback has to go through."
The frustrations for the offense stacked up during the two minute drills at the end of practice after the defense dominated the unit reportedly forced two 3-and-outs against the first team, and they let the offense know all about it.
"They looked like a Top-5 defense and they sounded like a Top-5 defense too," Allen said. "Defenses are annoying, especially in practice. Hearing them every time they make a play it's hoorah and celebrations. It's annoying… it is what it is but their energy and the way they communicate is definitely high class."
It wasn't just the high class defense that caused frustrations. According to Eberflus, the pre-snap penalties on offense during situational drills also put the unit behind the sticks. These of course are all part of the experiences Williams needs to be put through now rather than throughout the season.
Byard seemed to be the star of practice once again on the field for the Bears and is really growing into the role as the veteran leader for the entire unit. Between him and the rest of the veterans on that side of the ball, it's easy to see why things are frustrating and hard to come by for the offense.
"They're a veteran group and they have guys that have been in this system for a while now," Kmet added. "You can see the impact Kevin Byard has had. He's very vocal, really good leader over there for the defense. For Caleb, this is brand new, and he's the guy that we got to bring along and keep helping him along the way."
Another player who was spotlighted after Tuesday's practice was rookie defensive end Austin Booker who lined up with the second-team defense. As Zack Pearson reported, Booker got off the edge quick and "had at least 1 sack and a few pressures" against the second-team offense. The rookie even received some high praise from the reigning Pro Bowler in his position group.
Rome wasn't built in a day and the more growing pains the offense goes through now, the better the unit will perform in the long run. In the meantime, this team's defense is going to continue to keep on barking at Halas Hall.
Bears’ Pro Bowl DE praises the young defensive linemen on the team after making his return at minicamp
He’s liking what he’s seeing on the field.
