Caleb Williams received vital message from Bears veterans after tough practice

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – DJ Moore called Thursday’s OTA practice “frustrating” for the Bears offense as the defense stifled rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the passing attack.

There is no point in counting Williams’ achievements and attempts in May. It was a tough day at the office for the No. 1 overall pick — one that should come as no surprise. But it also highlighted how consistent Halas Hall’s long-term vision is.

The Bears defense understands that it will play a key role in Williams’ improvement for his rookie season. They plan to give the rookie hell every day in the backfields to make sure he’s fully prepared for whatever awaits him on Sunday.

As the defense dominated Williams and the offense on Thursday, veteran safety Kevin Byard made sure to tell the rookie quarterback that it would pay off in the long run.

“I told him something at the end of practice: Keep going, we’re going to keep getting better,” Byard said Thursday. “I’m not necessarily saying he had a terrible day, but days like this are going to make you better. So that’s our job, and like I said, obviously just the first three days practice, he’s done a lot of positive things. He’s made some really good throws. Just coming in with that upside as a rookie quarterback, he doesn’t seem troubled by anything, so that’s exciting. to have. “

Byard said Williams and the offense diced them early in the week, and his message to the rookie quarterback will remain consistent no matter who wins the day in practice.

“Sometimes it’s going to be back and forth, and that’s how the season is going to go, week in and week out,” Byard said of his message to Williams about his training struggles. “Every week isn’t going to be great. Some weeks we’re going to have to do a two-minute drill; he’s going to have to go and win us a game. Some weeks we’re going to blow people up. Sometimes it’s not going to be like that.

“So I would just tell him, hey, days like this, keep fighting, keep fighting, watch the film, get better. And that’s for everyone on the team. It’s not going to be all peachy and cream. You know what I’m saying? But I like his confidence and he just looked me in the eye and said ‘of course I will,’ and that was good to see.”

Moore saw the offseason trade of Justin Fields coming.

It will be the first time in his career he plays with a rookie quarterback, and Moore is prepared for the ebbs and flows that come with it.

“Right now, we’re all just getting used to each other,” Moore said. “We all have to learn a new offense right now. With him, you just have to know that the growing pains are going to be there. For a rookie – I think he’s 22? 23? – so you know you have a a lot to learn and a lot to accomplish in such a short time.”

Growing pains aside, Moore was impressed with how Williams responded to early NFL lessons taught by the Bears defense.

“You can see the natural leadership is there, the natural arm talent is there,” Moore said. “Everything about him is always a positive thing. Even when he makes a bad play, he tries to learn very quickly right after. That’s all we can ask of him, that he forgets quickly but he learns at the same time.

The Bears have created a detailed development plan for Williams to follow. Daily battles with a near-elite defense might be the best thing for the rookie quarterback’s long-term development.

With the quarterback drama long settled, Moore is willing to do whatever is necessary to help Williams get to where the Bears need him.

“We’re going to go through hell and back with him, so I’m just looking forward to seeing what he comes out with,” Moore said.

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