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Bears Camp: Winners, Losers & The Surprise Star Emerging (Aug 6)
Chicago Bears Practice Report: Williams Shines in Two-Minute Drill, Defense Gets Aggressive
The Big Picture
The Chicago Bears had an action-packed practice session where the first-team offense looked sharp in a crucial late-game situation, while the defense showed off a new aggressive attitude. Head Coach Ben Johnson also shared updates on injuries, new players, and a big contract extension.
Offense Wins the Two-Minute Drill
The Situation
- Time left: 1 minute, 41 seconds
- Score: Offense down by 3 points
- Starting spot: Own 35-yard line
- Goal: Score a touchdown to win
The Drive Play-by-Play
- D’Andre Swift runs 16 yards around the left side
- Caleb Williams throws 5 yards to tight end Colston Loveland
- Williams hits Kalif Raymond for 23 yards
- Williams finds Raymond again for 7 yards (ball at the 14-yard line)
- Austin Booker (defense) sacks Swift for a 4-yard loss → 3rd down & 7
- Williams connects with Rome Odunze for 8 yards → First down!
- Williams dumps it to Swift for 7 yards
- TOUCHDOWN! Williams throws 3 yards to Luther Burden III in the back of the end zone
Time remaining: 14.2 seconds
By the Numbers
- Williams: 6-for-6 passing, 53 yards
- Receivers used: 5 different players
- Result: Touchdown, offense wins the drill
[!IMPORTANT]
Why this matters: Last season, Williams led the Bears to 7 wins in games they were trailing in the final 2 minutes. This drill shows he’s continuing that clutch gene.
What the Players Said
Kalif Raymond explained why it worked:
"It doesn’t matter if the defense knows what we’ve got. As long as WE know what we’ve got, everything will work. We can run the ball too, which keeps them honest. Guys like Rome Odunze were blocking their hearts out. Everyone doing the little things right."
Defense Sets the Tone Early
The "9-on-7" Drill
Practice started with a physical running drill (9 offensive players vs. 7 defenders — no receivers or defensive backs allowed).
Austin Booker loved it:
"That’s our mentality this year. We’re getting off the ball. We’re being aggressive and getting in the backfield."
Translation: The defense wants to attack, not wait and react.
Injury & Roster Updates
Coby Bryant (Safety) — Knee Injury
- Status: Day-to-day, timeline unknown
- Coach Johnson: "We’re still in the information collection phase. Should know more in a few days."
- Sustained: Monday’s practice
Cam Lewis Steps Up
- Signed: March 2025 (7-year vet from Buffalo Bills)
- New role: Starting safety (replacing Bryant)
- Experience: 4-5 years at safety, also played nickel cornerback
- On the defense: "Dennis Allen wants to ATTACK. You want teams to say ‘Oh no, we’ve got Chicago this week — their D-line comes off the ball, DBs break on routes, linebackers fly downhill.’ That’s what we’re building."
Nickel vs. Safety — Lewis Explains the Difference
| Nickel Cornerback | Safety |
|---|---|
| Everything happens FASTER | You see the WHOLE field |
| Run fits come quick | Watch routes develop |
| Lots of press man-to-man | Come downhill & break on the ball |
Rookie Watch: Dillon Thieneman
- Drafted: 1st round, 2025
- Position: Safety
- Partner: Cam Lewis
- Coach Johnson’s take: "You can see that play speed from Oregon showing up. He wants to be perfect on every play, which can slow you down. Just needs reps to cut it loose. Really pleased so far."
Coaching help: Al Harris & Matt Giordano working with him daily.
Big News: Darnell Wright Gets Paid
The Contract
- Position: Right Tackle
- Drafted: 10th overall, 2023
- New deal: 4-year extension (signed Tuesday)
- Last year: 2nd-Team All-Pro (one of the BEST at his position)
Coach Johnson’s Praise
"Potential and talent get you in the building. But HOW YOU WORK — how you grow every single day — that’s what gets you a long-term contract. Darnell is the prime example."
What young players should learn:
- Talent is just the starting ticket
- Consistency beats flashy highlights
- Embrace the team’s culture & system
- Attack the offseason like Wright did
- Be the guy the team relies on (Bears ran behind Wright’s side constantly)
Welcome Back: T.J. Edwards
- Position: Linebacker (8th-year pro)
- Injury: Calf (happened working out on his own before camp)
- Status: Activated off NFI List (Non-Football Injury), practiced Wednesday
- Coach Johnson: "Good to have him back. You feel his presence and hear his communication immediately. We’ll ramp him up."
Summary
| Area | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| QB Play | Caleb Williams: 6/6 in 2-min drill, 53 yds, TD, 5 different targets |
| Offense Identity | Detail-oriented, communicates, mixes run/pass, blockers work hard |
| Defense Identity | AGGRESSIVE. "Get off the ball, attack, live in the backfield" |
| Injuries | Coby Bryant (knee) — TBD; T.J. Edwards (calf) — BACK |
| New Faces | Cam Lewis (vet safety) + Dillon Thieneman (rookie safety) = new duo |
| Culture | Darnell Wright = model of work ethic earning a mega-deal |
FAQ
1. What is a "two-minute drill"?
It’s a practice scenario where the offense has ~2 minutes to drive downfield and score, simulating the end of a half or game. It tests clock management, urgency, and execution under pressure.
2. What does "9-on-7" mean?
It’s a run-heavy drill with 9 offensive players (linemen, tight ends, QB, RB) vs. 7 defenders (linemen, linebackers). No wide receivers or defensive backs. It’s purely about physicality in the run game.
3. Who is Dennis Allen?
The Bears’ Defensive Coordinator — the coach in charge of the entire defense. Players describe him as passionate and aggressive, wanting the defense to attack rather than sit back.
4. What’s the difference between "safety" and "nickel"?
- Safety: Lines up deep, sees the whole field, last line of defense
- Nickel: Lines up in the slot (inside), covers receivers tight, reacts fast to runs
Lewis has played both but prefers safety now.
5. What is the NFI List?
Non-Football Injury List. For players hurt away from team activities (like Edwards working out on his own). They can’t practice until activated. Different from IR (Injured Reserve), which is for football-related injuries.
Stay tuned for more Bears camp updates as the team builds toward the 2025 season!
