Chicago Bears July 30 Training Camp Recap: A slower day than usual

After 2 padded, contact practices, the Bears scaled down a bit for Wednesday

The Chicago Bears wrapped up a shortened, less intense training camp session today that focused mainly on individual drills and redzone work in both 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s. After the last two practices included pads, today was shorts and shells. Pads will be back tomorrow, and we should expect to see some live periods of practice.

Notable Absences

Jaylon Johnson, Braxton Jones, Jonah Jackson, Shemar Turner, Zah Frazier, Ricky Stromberg, Bill Murray, and Jeremiah Walker were all noted missing from practice today.

Braxton Jones had a scheduled rest day today, and Jonah Jackson is dealing with a leg injury and is currently day-to-day.

Shemar Turner will be out with an ankle injury for an extended time, while Zah Frazier is still out due to personal reasons.

Joe Thuney did not participate in drills but was part of the main practice.

Quarterbacks

Caleb Williams had a couple highlight plays today, include a touchdown to rookie 2nd round WR Luther Burden III after hitting him over the middle for a score.

Caleb also ran in for a touchdown in the redzone on an RPO keep. Colston Loveland set the edge to allow Caleb to scamper in.

Williams also completed a touchdown to rookie RB Kyle Monangai in 11-on-11 work. He went 4/10 in passing in that period. Besides gameplay, Williams reportedly seemed smoother in and out of the huddle.

Case Keenum saw reps with the number two offense, throwing a pair of touchdowns to Tight Ends Stephen Carlson and Durham Smythe.

Tyson Bagent took reps with the 3’s, however no notable word on his camp performance today.

Odds and Ends

1. Ozzy Trapilo started the first team session at LT.

2. Montez Sweat recorded a sack on Caleb Williams in 11-on-11 redzone drills:

3. Luther Burden had the catch of the day on a pass thrown by Case Keenum:

4. Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen met with the media today and had some interesting things to say.

“I like the direction that we are heading. Guys are locked in. I think the best thing that I’ve seen from our group, you know, is that I’ve seen a lot of improvement from the spring time and that’s really what you want to see guys get accomplished.”

When asked about the Bears’ #2 CB spot, Dennis Allen said, “I think it’s completely up for grabs.” Alluding that 3rd year CB Tyrique Stevenson has no incumbency with the position.

He also praised the growth of the coverage aspect of his defense from the Spring.

5. Rome Odunze, Josh Blackwell, and Luther Burden all fielded punts today from 2nd-year Punter Tory Taylor.

6. Caleb Williams had some praise for rookie Tight End Colston Loveland:

7. And finally, a good quote from Caleb Williams on what this year is to him:

Caleb Williams: “This year for me, it’s trying to take a step up in my leadership role and pushing the guys. Part of it is going out there and being right and doing everything right, getting the play calls in fast, being out there (and) being confident, knowing what I’m doing. And the other half of it is when things are messing up, let’s re-huddle, ‘Get up. Come on. Let’s get this thing going.’ In two-minute, encouraging the guy. It’s fourth quarter – I know we’re in practice; it’s a hot day – (but) it’s fourth quarter in a game, it’s time to go win, so let’s go win this game. It’s small things like that. The encouragement, the belief in ourselves, the belief in the hard work we’re putting in. And then other than that, it’s going out there, having fun and showing it.”

With pads and live sessions scheduled tomorrow at Halas Hall, we should have a lot more news to sift through.