LAKE FOREST, Ill. — During a Thursday practice at training camp, Caleb Williams struggled to register any incompletions, highlighting some challenges the Chicago Bears had to address.
Event Context
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Player Focus
During the initial practice sessions, the Bears are featuring two safeties: veteran Coby Bryant and rookie Dillon Thieneman. With Kyler Gordon sidelined due to a calf injury, they’ve rotated through three or four players at the nickel cornerback position.
Bryant, who previously played for the Seattle Seahawks, adds both speed and valuable experience to the team’s secondary.
“I want to be recognized for my energy,” Bryant expressed. “I think that’s a trait that can spread throughout the team. I aim to inspire my teammates and elevate their performance as well. That’s my goal.”
While efforts are underway to enhance the secondary’s performance and match or exceed last year’s takeaway stats, improvements in pass rush personnel remain a concern. The Bears kicked off training camp with top pass rusher Montez Sweat absent due to illness, but he returned to practice by Thursday. A surprising development is defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo’s recovery, who is back after suffering an Achilles injury that ended his season last November.
“It’s truly remarkable how hard he has worked to return in time for training camp,” said defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. “Recovering from a challenging injury like that can take a mental toll, and I admire his commitment. I’m really proud of him for being ready to go this camp. I anticipate great things for him.”
Despite Odeyingbo’s comeback, he recorded only one sack in his first season with the Bears prior to his injury, leading to speculation that general manager Ryan Poles might seek to acquire another pass rusher—either through free agency or a trade—to partner with Sweat and emerging edge rusher Austin Booker.
Defensive coordinator Allen is optimistic about improving their pass-rushing skills.
“We’re focusing on refining our pass rush mechanics,” Allen stated. “It’s tough to assess a lot of things in non-padded practices. We’ll have a clearer understanding of our run and passing game capabilities once we start wearing pads. That’s when we’ll really gauge our effectiveness.”
As they prepare to don pads in the coming days, all eyes will be on tackles Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett, as well as new linebacker Devin Bush, to bolster a defense that ranked 27th against the run last season. Like Bryant, Bush was signed as a free agent with clear objectives in mind.
The return of cornerback Jaylon Johnson, after struggling with injuries in 2025, along with T.J. Edwards’ recovery from a broken leg during last season, should enhance the defensive lineup. However, overall challenges related to the defensive line personnel and new secondary additions may persist until demonstrated otherwise.
Thursday’s difficulties in pass defense served as a reminder of these ongoing issues.
Team Analysis
During the scrimmage, the quarterback showcased impressive accuracy across the field; however, it’s important to note that he was facing the first-team secondary, which is expected to be a key strength of the defense.
Last season, the Bears’ defense faced significant challenges, particularly in stopping the run, pressuring the quarterback, and maintaining overall health. Nevertheless, the unit did excel in creating turnovers, managing to intercept 23 passes and recover 10 fumbles. With a revamped secondary in place, it remains to be seen how long it will take for the team to gel, as there are still concerns regarding improvements in rushing the passer and run defense. They may require another season of strong takeaways similar to the previous year.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen emphasized the importance of making takeaways a daily focus, stating, “You’ve got to live it every day. You get the things that you emphasize. That’s part of the culture of our defense, and we must practice that mentality consistently.” He added, “That has to be the mindset. While it doesn’t guarantee success, lacking that mindset means turnovers won’t come.”
Allen also mentioned the team’s aim to boost overall speed, indicating that one of the new players is expected to contribute to that improvement.
Match Outlook
“He’s a dedicated player who puts in the effort every single day. His return is going to be vital for us,” Jarrett emphasized. “The athletes we currently have on the field are exceptionally talented, demonstrating great football skills. They possess remarkable speed and a unique ability to cover opponents effectively, while also contributing as strong rushers in our defensive strategy. I believe we will form a cohesive unit that collaborates seamlessly.”
