LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Bears continued to get acclimated to training camp with a 70-minute practice at Halas Hall on Sunday. than Saturday’s formulaic opener..
Quarterback Caleb Williams again made quick decisions in 7-on-7 play, completing 4 of 5 passes to running back D’Andre Swift, tight end Cole Kmet, wide receiver Tyler Scott and receiver Freddie Swain.
Williams’ only incompletion came on a pass attempt to Scott on a go route along the right sideline, where Scott was well covered by cornerback Jaylon Johnson and Williams’ pass went out of bounds.
The Williams-Scott duo responded two plays later with the offensive play of the day.
Williams dropped back and found Scott one step ahead of cornerback Kyler Gordon deep on the left side, and the rookie quarterback nailed a perfect pass 30 yards down field for a big gain.
The offense outplayed the defense in the 7-on-7 game, but the defense again won in the two-minute drill.
The Bears ended the day with a scenario at the end of the half with 1 minute, 10 seconds left and one timeout, and the offense having the ball at their own 30-yard line.
On first down, Williams attempted a pass to DJ Moore, but Gordon smashed it along the sideline, and on second down, Williams’ pass was batted down by defensive tackle Jahvon Dexter for a third-and-10 run.
Williams took the snap and immediately connected with wide receiver Keenan Allen on a crossing route for 10 yards.
Consecutive passes to running back Roshon Johnson advanced the offense to the opponent’s 43-yard line with 16.8 seconds left.
On second down and two, Williams dropped back and quickly scanned the field, but no one was immediately open. Williams appeared to look for Scott on the left side, but Johnson locked on the second-year receiver. Williams quickly dropped back to the right and tried to force Moore into a sidearm throw, but cornerback Tyriq Stevenson jumped the route and stripped Moore of the ball for the drill-ending interception.
Williams’ interception was a product of the situation, and the Bears staff is glad he was willing to take advantage of the opportunity.
“It was a last-second situation with very little time left, we needed to get in field goal range, we needed to be aggressive with the ball, but we also knew it was halftime and the end of the game, so we were able to combine those elements well and have an opportunity to be aggressive and make some great plays defensively,” offensive coordinator Shane Waldron said after practice.
“He had a good shot there, tried to make an offset throw, but it didn’t go in and the defense made a good play. It’s all about mindset and knowing when a situation like that is the right opportunity, knowing if it’s in field goal range, outside or inside, all of those things come into play.”
Below are my notes from the second day of practice.
— Williams was 7 of 9 in the other two 11-on-11 periods, with the rookie quarterback linking up with Allen multiple times while setting quick screens for Moore and Johnson.
Williams’ only mistake in the period came when he fired a pass over tight end Cole Kmet’s head that was nearly intercepted by safety Kevin Byard.
The Bears had one pre-snap penalty (false start) in the period due to rhythm issues.
— After Ryan Bates got nearly all of the first-team snaps at center on Day 1, Coleman Shelton played the position on Day 2.
With left tackle Braxton Jones still limited, the Bears’ primary offensive line consisted of Larry Borom, Teven Jenkins, Shelton, Nate Davis and Darnell Wright.
Waldron said Williams feels comfortable with both Shelton and Bates at center.
— Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent threw some nice passes downfield to wide receiver Dante Pettis during 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills.
— The Bears activated tight end Gerald Everett from the non-football injured list after practice.
— Tight end Mercedes Lewis, wide receiver Nsimba Webster, linebacker Noah Sewell, Everett and offensive lineman Kiram Amegazie did not play in Sunday’s game. Jones and linebacker TJ Edwards were limited.
— Wide receiver Rome Odunze returned to practice after missing Saturday’s practice for personal reasons. He participated in individual drills but did not take part in team work.
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