The Chicago Bears were back for the fourth practice of training camp on Saturday, which was delayed due to inclement weather that provided sloppy conditions when team was able to finally go outside.
While the offense got off to an impressive start to training camp, it was the defense’s turn to shine on Saturday, aided a little by the weather conditions. Quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense struggled to get into a rhythm, and the secondary was finally able to best what’s been a dominant passing game. There were also some updates in position battles at left tackle and nickel cornerback in the final practice of this first week before the pads come on Monday.
Here’s what we learned from the fourth practice of training camp:
Defense finally wins the day
For the first three practices, it was the offense that dominated training camp. In fact, the passing game looked unstoppable. But the defense has finally closed the gap, and they had their best practice of the summer. According to Adam Hoge, it was a “bounce back day” for the defense, where safety Coby Bryant and the secondary shined. Bryant had “a really nice interception over the top on a Caleb Williams deep ball” and he “tracked it well.” Herb Howard called it a “completely different day at practice” compared to the first three days, and he praised Bryant and cornerback Jaylon Johnson as the standouts. Bryant had the one pick of Williams, but Howard said he nearly had two more. Howard said the defense was “flying around all morning.”
Rough outing for Caleb William and passing game
After a dominant first three practices at training camp, quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense had their worst showing of the summer in the rain. According to Herb Howard, “Caleb was not sharp today with his accuracy nor timing. He and Luther Burden, dominant to this point in camp, could not sync up. It was a combination of timing, inaccuracy, and a drop.” In the end-of-half two-minute drill, Williams threw three straight incompletions to Burden, per Bear Report. Jeff Buckhalter added that Williams had a “few rough reps/attempts/near picks” during practice. The conditions certainly impacted the passing game, as Adam Hoge noted that there were “too many drops in the slick conditions too. Most of practice was in a light rain.” According to Zack Pearson, “felt like the first team offense couldn’t get into a rhythm. Drops. Slipping.”
Left tackle rotation continued with Jedrick Wills Jr.
The Bears continued their rotation in their left tackle competition. On Days 1 and 2, it was Braxton Jones working with the starters. On Day 3, it was primarily Kiran Amegadjie. On Saturday, Jedrick Wills Jr. got his turn to work with the first-team offense, and Jones ran with the second team, per Adam Jahns. While Jones is the favorite to win the starting job, Chicago will continue to give everyone an opportunity to compete for the role, so expect the rotation to continue when the Bears return to the practice field on Monday, which will be the first padded workout of the summer.
Jaylon Jones at nickel with the starters
Kyler Gordon remains sidelined with a calf injury on the physically unable to perform list, which has opened the door for competition at nickel cornerback. Jaylon Jones has primarily worked in the slot with the first-team defense while Cam Lewis has also gotten his opportunities Josh Blackwell and rookie Malik Muhammad have also gotten looks. But on Saturday, it was Jones working with the starting defense, according to Josh Buckhalter.
Rookies Zavion Thomas, Jordan van den Berg flash
The Bears are hoping they receive some big contributions from their rookie class, and both wide receiver Zavion Thomas and defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg had a standout day. Thomas developed a nice rapport with backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, and the pair connected for a touchdown during a two-minute drill to end practice. According to Mark Carman, Thomas got a “ton of balls” thrown his way on Saturday. Carman added that van den Berg “flashed” during a non-padded 1-on-1 session against rookie center Logan Jones.
Kyle Monangai misses third straight practice
For the third straight practice, running back Kyle Monangai wasn’t spotted out on the field. The players previously announced on the non-football injury and physically unable to perform lists were sidelined: linebacker T.J. Edwards, cornerback Kyler Gordon, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo, safety Elijah Hicks, linebackers Keyshaun Elliott and Noah Sewell and defensive end Shemar Turner. In other injury updates, linebacker Jack Sanborn exited practice early. Per Brad Biggs, it was unclear what the issue was. Sanborn did not return to practice.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 6 takeaways from Day 4 of Chicago Bears training camp
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
