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Chicago Bears Week 3 Training Camp Wrap-up: Dog Days of Summer
Chicago Bears Week 3 Training Camp Wrap-up: Dog Days of Summer

As the summer heat in Lake Forest intensifies, so do some familiar challenges for the Chicago Bears. Stop me if you’ve read this before: the defense is off to a strong start and the offense is mired in growing pains. This time, however, there’s a new factor in the mix—Caleb Williams. With the highly touted rookie quarterback now at the helm, the Bears are aiming to move beyond simply competing and hope to become true contenders. The arrival of Williams brought with it a surge of optimism, as fans and analysts alike anticipated a revitalized offense. Yet, as the third week of training camp wraps up, we're left with more questions than answers, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Early in camp, Caleb Williams was releasing the ball quickly and decisively, even when a pass was tipped, or a turnover occurred.

His confidence and speed were evident. However, as camp has progressed, we’ve started to see more indecision from him. Plays are taking longer to develop, and the ball is lingering in his hands. As a result, the offense has become sloppy, and turnovers have begun to mount. On August 8th’s practice, Caleb threw two interceptions during the offense vs. defense series. Fans are understandably concerned, with some taking to Twitter, commenting on the 79th and Halas page with remarks like “shoulda kept Fields” and “it was a fun 4 months.” While the panic is setting in for some, the Bears' players see things differently. One of those viewpoints, came from veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis. During post-practice interviews, I was able to ask his own perspective on the offensive struggles:

“Well, I think for one, that’s what camp is for right? It’s just building up those callouses for war. When you say struggle it just depends on what vantage point you’re looking from, right? So, one day the defense can have an amazing day and the next day the offense can have an amazing day and then sometimes, we’re just gonna meet in the middle. I look at it as just experience and lessons.”

From my vantage point as a member of the media, I understand both perspectives. While I never competed professionally, I vividly remember the grueling two-a-days and training camps from my time at Curie High School as a member of the Condors. Some stretches of practice saw the defense dominating the offensive unit I was a part of. Others saw the offense consistently “beating on” the defense. On the other side of things, I sympathize with the fan who’s ready a significant change on offense.

Today’s camp saw members of the United States military taking what little free time they had to watch the offense compete with the defense. As mistakes piled up for the starters, audible groans could be heard from the bleachers. For many of the spectators, this might be an indication that things are not going according to plan, and I can relate to that feeling, remembering my own experiences from when I was younger. That being said, I believe the Bears are in a much different situation than in previous eras.

Fans should take a step back and hit “pause” on the panic button. This is not an endorsement of the Bears' current makeup but rather an understanding of how football works. Training camp is designed for these exact situations. The Bears' defense has had a year to come together as a unit, learning each other's strengths and weaknesses and Matt Eberflus' late takeover of the defense last year made for an easier transition to new defensive coordinator, Eric Washington.

On the other side of the ball, however, the offense is dealing with new wide receivers, new tight ends, a new running back, and a new quarterback, all under the guidance of a new offensive coordinator. A logical deduction would suggest the offense would naturally lag behind the defense. This is not to say that the Bears don’t have room for improvement or that fans shouldn’t stay vigilant for progress—both things should happen. But perhaps, some grace should be given to the Bears  right now.

While the offense is under the microscope, the defense is not without its own concerns. This week, injuries have sidelined key players like defensive backs Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, and Tyrique Stevenson, along with defensive lineman Montez Sweat. Head coach Matt Eberflus has listed these injuries as “day-to-day,” and judging by the players’ presence on the sidelines, participating in exercises, the prognosis seems cautiously optimistic. While these absences do raise questions about how prepared the Bears will be for Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Matt Eberflus has confirmed that available starters will play, which should provide some clarity on the team’s readiness.

With both sides of the ball facing their own challenges, Bears fans find themselves at a crossroads, unsure whether to lean into cautious optimism or brace for potential disappointment.  Patience is a virtue that has worn thin, and the anticipation for a breakthrough season is palpable. While uneasiness and even panic might start to creep in, the consensus within the organization remains one of optimism. I suggest that fans do the same. Knowing that only time will reveal how prepared the Bears are or aren’t.

 

NFL, Football, ArticlesJoseph LewisCaleb Williams, NFL, Chicago Bears, Joseph LewisComment
Chicago Bears Report Day 2024: Hope, No Longer Imagined.
Chicago Bears Report Day 2024: Hope, No Longer Imagined.

Four years covering the Chicago Bears.

Four years. It can be bewildering to put into perspective all the work that this endeavor has entailed. It’s not a small number, yet not truly a large one either. Four years. What precedes those years are three decades of love and admiration as a fan. True “fan-ship” where Sundays as a child were a paradox between worshipping God at church but also getting home in time to watch the Bears play. Combine those and you have twelve thousand, four hundred and eighteen days of watching, cheering, crying, covering, contemplating, and sometimes wishing that this organization would truly change. 

I’ve seen cultures introduced then fall apart. I’ve seen hope turn to dread, dread turn into hope, dazzling displays of skill, and perplexing displays of incompetence. It's this “merry-go-round” that is the hallmark of what it means to be a fan of the Chicago Bears. It's believing in a team that doesn’t seem to believe in itself and loving a team that will consistently break your heart. Having experienced this for so long, we’re left with the question of why one would continue to come back after all this inconsistency and why would this year be any different? It crosses all the boxes of a typical Bears season. New quarterback? Check. A staff that is poised to have a breakout season? Check. A defense that is amongst the best in the league? Check.

The question you’ll have for me is then, why are you writing this article at all if nothing’s changed? You’d be right. From an outside perspective, nothing has changed. But after having spent years covering this franchise, I can tell you that everything has changed. Not only in the player personnel department, but in the highest echelons of this team. While not perfect, the echoes are change are evident. 

Three years ago, I sat at my computer during a season-ending interview with George McCaskey. He spoke about change and what was next for the organization, and there was a snarky grin on my face. Sort of a “here we go again” feeling as déjà vu crept into my mind. After another disappointing season, the Bears “brass” assured stakeholders that change was coming, but all fans could feel was discontent. Fast forward three years later, and an ineffable feeling of change is in the air.

This year seems to be different, and not the “this year is our year” difference that is the rallying cry of fans of Chicago sports, but a distinctive cultural and environmental shift. It could not have been clearer than it was today, as I walked from the Abbott parking lot into Halas Hall on Day 1 of the 2024-2025 Chicago Bears training camp. Fresh faces that I’ve never seen, from all walks of life, with a distinctive and confident grin on their faces that says, “something’s changed”. 

The Bears not only spoke about creating a successful and diverse organization, but they’ve created it. It echoes George McCaskey’s insistence that fair opportunity is key to a successful organization. What’s most striking is that at the top of the forefront of this change was a black general manager in Ryan Poles and a black team President in Kevin Warren. We’ve seen instances of the Bears declaring they changes they’ve made and how they’ll improve, but something is different.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the lightning rod of this seismic shift, quarterback Caleb Williams. His selection in of itself is a shift for a team; an electric, Heisman winning QB taken with the number one pick. While he’s not the first young QB expected to shake up the organization (as fans have seen this before), the situation that he’s found himself in is considerable. Three bona fide no.1 receivers next to him in DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze and a defense that ranked amongst the best in the league in the latter half of last season. The position Caleb Williams’ finds himself in has catapulted him into role where he’s looked upon as a symbol of hope for the city. He represents a promise of skill and confidence that Bears fans have desperately craved and whether he understands it or not, there is a considerable amount of pressure on him to change the Bears’ fortunes. 

This is not a declaration of a guaranteed change, in fact, it’s far from it. We’ve seen how far promises of change can take this organization. However, after covering the Bears for four years and seeing the highs and lows, the moments of brilliance, and the stretches of mediocrity. There is a different feeling that I can’t shake—one that suggests that the Bears might finally be on the right track. This season isn’t just about proving doubters wrong; it’s about proving to themselves and their fans that they are capable of greatness. That hopeful feeling that permeates the atmosphere cannot be denied but whether it’s justified or not, remains to be seen.

Football, NFL, ArticlesJoseph LewisCaleb WilliamsComment
Aw Shit, Here We Go Again…

You sat down in your living room or somewhere in your house that you hold sacred for Bears games. You fired up the TV, rocking your #1 Justin Fields jersey with a hopeful gaze as you anticipated the Bears finally overcoming the Packers and moving towards becoming a modern NFL franchise. 

The ball is kicked, the Bears begin their drive with a run of no gain, then a huge 19-yard play from Justin Fields to Khalil Herbert. Four plays later, the drive is over. The Packers receive the ball and score without a hitch. By the end of the night, you’re empty. 

It happened again. 

The Packers trounced the Bears 38-20. The Quarterback play was underwhelming, and the play-calling would make any other team’s fans feel better about theirs. In a better world, this game is a one-off and not a cause for concern. It’s simply a bad game that you brush off and wish for the best later. But this isn’t a better world, and it’s exactly the type of game you feared.

If you’re a Chicago Bears fan, this is just another disappointing Sunday in what seems like a lifetime of disappointments. This franchise hasn’t had a winning season since last decade, and has not won a game since October 24th, 2022. Despair is no longer an unfamiliar face. It’s the devil on your shoulder who tells you every Sunday, “same shit, different toilet”.

The problem is: it’s correct. 

Despite the coach, the general manager, and the CEO being new, nothing has changed for the Bears. The defense underwhelms, the Quarterback cannot pass. In fact, the only bright spot for almost every Bears season is this: there’s something good at running back, but that is all and it’s not enough. 

While Bears fans watched in hope at Roschon Johnson’s tenacity, effort, and raw talent, they couldn’t help but feel melancholy at the abysmal play from every other part of the ball.

Justin Fields, who fans have placed their hopes in, underwhelmed with a 24 of 37 performance for 216 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Sadly, Justin reverted back to many old and painful habits: holding onto the ball too long, becoming anxious in the pocket and not allowing routes to develop before he takes whatever is left. Meanwhile the defense let first year starter Jordan Love go turnover-free for with three passing touchdowns. It is a painfully familiar scene.

Be clear, It is not all or even solely on Justin Fields. Newly extended TE Cole Kmet played a completely non-physical game while Guard Nate Davis became a turnstile for opposing defensive lineman. In addition, Luke Getsy called one of his more confusing games with designed sneaks to Cole Kmet and bubble screens in more obvious downs situations.

The bad news: this loss is horrible and might be an indicator of the entire season.

The good news: It is Week 1 and the offense had an eerily similar slow start last year before it exploded for several weeks.

The reality: the defense probably won’t get much better.

Second year defensive coordinator Alan Williams has his hands full with a front four who aren’t getting much better. While some blitzing and unique pressure can help keep teams honest, if your interior guys are stonewalled at the line of scrimmage, your blitzing will eventually be countered, and more adjustments will have to happen. 

I’ve said all of that to say this: This is not the end of the Bears season. Justin Fields is not a bust. This defense is not the worst you’ve ever seen. The problem with those statements is that they could eventually become true without major changes from the coaching staff as well as the players. 

The Bears need to find ways to make Justin Jones and Andrew Billings successful and if they can’t do it, they need to shuffle that interior line until someone shows up who can. Justin Fields started off slowly so Luke Getsy must tailor his offense around Justin’s strengths; tempo changes that allow Justin to get the ball out quickly, while taking advantage of his impressive deep ball skills. 

As he builds momentum, they must allow him to be HIM. He has to take shots down the field, audible when he feels comfortable and lastly; to fail. It’s better for Justin Fields to throw interceptions while trying to push the ball downfield than to sit in a conservative offense that is too frightened of turnovers. 

In 2023, every offense in the National Football League is committing more turnovers. What matters is how well you respond, as well as learn from those mistakes. 

NFL, Football, ArticlesJoe LewisComment