The Chicago Bears enjoyed a beautiful spring day up at Halas Hall when they took the field for their second practice of OTAs on Thursday. But unlike in previous years, the sunshine and perfect temperatures took a backseat to the play on the field thanks to the veterans and rookies alike.
Thursday’s unpadded practice featured a few standout performers on each side of the ball, something we didn’t see this early during last year’s OTAs. From some big throws by the quarterbacks to quick pressures by the defensive ends, there was a little bit of everything on display from the practice fields.
Here were three standout players from Thursday’s practice:
1. QB Caleb Williams
During Ben Johnson’s first OTAs last season, the coach was kicking quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense off the field for their lack of urgency. This year, Williams is delivering absolute rockets to his receivers, looking like he’s in midseason form. Williams had the best play of the day when he scrambled to his right and left his feet to deliver a jaw-dropping deep ball to wide receiver Rome Odunze. The third-year players connected as Odunze blew past cornerback Tyrique Stevenson for the touchdown.
Media in attendance, like CHGO’s Adam Hoge, believed the ball traveled 80 yards through the air. Backup quarterback Case Keenum set the record straight later in the evening by posting the ball had traveled 67 yards in the air. It was a throw we’ve seen Williams make time and time again last year during the Bears’ race to the playoffs. With the throw from Thursday, he’s already in midseason form.
2. WR Zavion Thomas
When the Bears selected receiver Zavion Thomas in the third round of this year’s draft, many raised their eyebrows at the pick. After all, Thomas wasn’t projected to go anywhere close to Day 2, and the Bears had other needs to address. But Thomas has blazing speed that can’t be ignored, and that was evident on Thursday. CHGO’s Mark Carman noted that Thomas caught a 50-yard bomb up the left sideline from Williams as he outraced everyone on defense. It remains to be seen how much Thomas will be involved in the offense as a rookie, but he appears to be as fast as advertised, giving the Bears a dangerous weapon to work with.
3. EDGE Austin Booker
OTAs may not be where offensive and defensive linemen shine since the practices are unpadded with minimal contact, but players can still flash on certain drills. Austin Booker certainly did according to those in attendance. Bear Report’s Zack Pearson noted Booker was the one who came flying off the edge when Williams launched his 67-yard bomb to Odunze. Booker, who has put on more muscle this offseason, is still showing he has enough quickness to get around the tackle and apply pressure to the quarterback. We’ll have to wait a while to see how Booker looks in pads, but the third-year pass rusher is off to a nice start.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 3 standouts from Day 2 of Chicago Bears OTAs
Reporting by Brendan Sugrue, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
