More good vibes with Caleb Williams
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The development of Caleb Williams, a much-touted generational phenom who was considered the “chosen one” of the struggling Chicago Bears, into a true NFL quarterback continues in “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears.”
After NFL Films cameras caught Williams struggling with his first training sessions in the season’s first episode, he now seems to be settling in quite well to his role as quarterback for one of the NFL’s flagship franchises.
The positive vibe from Williams’ impressive season debut against the Buffalo Bills continued into the following week when the Bears hosted the Cincinnati Bengals for a joint practice and then a friendly game in the city on Saturday.
This week’s “Hard Knocks” episode began with Bears head coach Matt Eberflus going over video of the Bills game with Williams. It was Williams’ first real taste of an NFL game in real time, and Eberflus wanted to know why Williams thought he was successful in his preseason debut. Williams gave three reasons: preparation, confidence in preparation and playing in the game. Eberflus then asked Williams what he learned. Williams replied, “The practice is harder than the game.”
Williams’ ease in his new professional role was evident in the team’s next preseason game against the Bengals. He overcame a slow start — possibly hampered by a communication breakdown when offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s microphone kept cutting out. Williams remained calm in a potentially nerve-wracking situation, simply saying after hearing a muddled play that he needed to “put it together.” This is a rookie quarterback in his second preseason game … and with very limited playing time, mind you. He’s just out there deciphering plays that sounded to the “Hard Knocks” viewer like they came from a Gonk droid from Star Wars.
Williams saved the best for last against the Bengals. He completed a spectacular 45-yard pass to rookie receiver Rome Odunze — “That’s what people wanted to see,” Williams told Odunze in the huddle — and then escaped Bengals pressure in a collapsed pocket and fought his way to a touchdown on a third-and-goal play. Williams’ debut at Soldier Field was over after an electrifying, eight-play, 90-yard touchdown drive.
Williams’ progress will only fuel optimism in Chicago, as the Bears’ first game in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans is just over two weeks away.
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Here’s more of what we learned from episode three of “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears”:
Bears consider Matthew Judon trade
For Bears general manager Ryan Poles, pairing Matthew Judon in a pass-rushing duo with Pro Bowl defensive end Montez Sweat seemed tempting.
But not while the Bears’ promising future is at stake.
We now know that Judon was traded from the New England Patriots to the Atlanta Falcons last week in exchange for a third-round draft pick. What was revealed on Hard Knocks was how close the Bears were to signing the four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher.
Judon and the Falcons couldn’t agree on a contract extension before the team agreed to the trade. That was the sticking point for the Bears.
“We believe he would help us get better, just his style,” Poles told team president Kevin Warren in a meeting when the possible transfer was discussed. “We think that even though he has a bicep injury and not a lower body injury, he would play with the same intensity and drive as before. But at 32, that comes with risks.”
Judon has played in just four games in the 2023 season after suffering a season-ending torn biceps. The Bears wanted a contract extension so the trade could be completed – “Our language basically says if the contract isn’t signed, he’s going back to New England,” Poles told Bears special adviser Ted Crews.
The transfer fell through for the Bears. Poles was left with self-reflection – “We are trying to do a really good job and create parameters that make sense for the success of our club now and in the future” – while his confidants viewed the situation with a glass half full.
In a meeting with Matt Feinstein, director of football administration, Poles continued to reiterate his position on the Judon situation.
“I agonize, but when you have your own protective walls that help us stay in the lane … we certainly fought back to get the player,” Poles said. “But when it comes to losing all flexibility, I don’t think that’s smart, even if he’s having success. If he has 20 sacks now or something, I’m going to be sick.”
The Bears recorded just 30 sacks last season, the second-fewest in the league.
Feinstein looked ahead and thought that freshman Austin Booker could one day take the pass-rushing position opposite Sweat.
“It’s Judon for one (third-round pick) and some significant financial requirements,” Feinstein said. “We traded one (fourth-round pick) for four years of Austin Booker.”
MATTHEW JUDON TRADE – WINNERS AND LOSERS: How did the Patriots and Falcons fare in the deal?
In the draft war room for Austin Booker pick
“Hard Knocks” followed the inside look at the Bears’ efforts to sign Judon by showing the team’s war room during the 2024 NFL Draft, when the team made hard calls to move up to the fifth round and select Kansas defensive end Austin Booker.
The Bears had to get creative with the selection because the team was out of picks after drafting Iowa punter Tory Taylor in the fourth round. Hard Knocks cameras showed the Bears war room making calls to get a player they thought very highly of. They made calls for picks Nos. 137, 139 and 142 before senior director of player personnel Jeff King brought the Bears in with pick No. 144. The Bears sent a 2024 fourth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills to have the opportunity to select Booker.
Booker was a star in his team’s preseason game against the Bills and is enjoying his status as a late-round draft pick.
“I’m a sleeper. Not many people know me,” Booker said. “I’m getting better in secret and they won’t know what’s coming.”
Matt Eberflus and nicknames
The Bears head coach apparently enjoys giving people nicknames.
There’s “Big Dog,” “Governor,” “Spidey,” “Young Jedi,” “The Canadian Eagle,” and “Herbie the Lovebug.”
One player who doesn’t have a nickname yet is rookie punter Tory Taylor from Australia.
“What do you think of ‘Crocodile Punter’?” a reporter asks Taylor.
“I definitely don’t want that. I don’t want any Australian attachments or anything like that,” Taylor replied. “If nobody knows who I am, that usually means I’m doing a pretty good job.”
It will be hard to avoid anonymity if you are drafted in the fourth round as a punter. That is a prestigious draft spot for a punter.
The Poles defended the election.
“He had a unique ability and skill to have a strong leg and turn the field over,” Poles said. “The main thing is we want to make our opponent as uncomfortable as possible. He’s so good at pinning the ball inside the 10-yard line. People joked that he was like (golfer) Scottie Scheffler in terms of his ability to place the ball. And he has different techniques to do that, so he takes (punting) to a whole new level.”
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