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Caleb Williams, Bears’ offense shows good and bad on Day 2 of training camp – NBC Sports Chicago

Caleb Williams, Bears’ offense shows good and bad on Day 2 of training camp – NBC Sports Chicago

LAKE FOREST, Illinois — The Bears continued training camp at a leisurely pace Sunday with a 70-minute practice at Halas Hall that provided more drama than Saturday’s standard game.

Quarterback Caleb Williams again made quick decisions in a 7-on-7 situation, 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 incomplete pass came when he attempted to hit Scott on a go route down the right sideline. Scott was well covered by cornerback Jaylon Johnson, and Williams’ pass sailed out.

The Williams-Scott combination came back two plays later with the offensive play of the day.

Williams went back and saw Scott have a step on cornerback Kyler Gordon working deep on the left side. The rookie quarterback threw a perfectly thrown ball right on the money 30 yards down the field, and Scott secured the pass with a sliding catch.

While the offense outplayed the defense in the 7-on-7 period, it was the defense that again gained the upper hand in the two-minute drill.

The Bears ended the day with a late-half scenario where the offense got the ball on its own 30-yard line with 1:10 left on the clock and one timeout.

On first down, Williams appeared to be in the pocket for DJ Moore, but Gordon batted the pass away down the sideline. Williams’ pass on second down was batted down by defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, setting up a third-and-10.

Williams took the ball and quickly connected with wide receiver Keenan Allen for a 10-yard passing route.

Two consecutive passes to running back Roschon Johnson brought the offense to the opponent’s 43-yard line with 16.8 seconds left on the clock.

On second-and-2, Williams went back and quickly scanned the field, but no one had an opening right away. Williams appeared to look for Scott on the left side, but Johnson blocked the sophomore receiver. Williams quickly came back to the right side and attempted to force a sidearm throw to Moore, but cornerback Tyrique Stevenson jumped the route and made a sliding interception to end the drill.

Williams’ interception was a result of the situation and the Bears staff is glad he took the opportunity.

“That was a unique game at the end, when the clock was running out. We had to get close to scoring and be aggressive with the ball. We knew it was the end of the half or the end of the game. We’ll combine those things so there’s a good chance we can be aggressive and defensive with the ball,” offensive coordinator Shane Waldron said after practice.

“He takes a good shot there and tries to get the offset throw and it didn’t quite work out and the defense made a good play. The mindset and knowing when those are the right opportunities like that situation there, knowing when we’re in or out of field goal range, outside, inside, all those things come into play.”

Here are more notes from day 2 of the training:

— Williams went 7-for-9 in the other two 11-on-11 periods. The rookie quarterback teamed up with Allen several times while hitting Moore and Johnson for quick screens.

The only mistake Williams made during this period came when he hit a pass over the head of tight end Cole Kmet, which safety Kevin Byard nearly intercepted.

The Bears were assessed one penalty (false start) prior to the snap during the period for a rhythm issue.

— After Ryan Bates got nearly all of the first-team snaps at center on Day 1, Coleman Shelton was the one to fill that position on Day 2.

With left tackle Braxton Jones still limited, the Bears’ first offensive line consisted of Larry Borom, Teven Jenkins, Shelton, Nate Davis and Darnell Wright.

Waldron said Williams is comfortable with both Shelton and Bates under center.

— Reserve quarterback Tyson Bagent made some nice passes to wide receiver Dante Pettis during the 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 games.

— The Bears removed tight end Gerald Everett from the non-football injury list after practice.

— Tight end Marcedes Lewis, wide receiver Nsimba Webster, linebacker Noah Sewell, Everett and offensive lineman Kiram Amegadjie did not play Sunday. Jones and linebacker TJ Edwards were limited.

— Wide receiver Rome Odunze returned to practice after missing Saturday for personal reasons. He participated in individual drills but not team work.

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