NEWSLETTER
Cue up the Thin Lizzy because the boys are back in town.
All of ’em.
Yes, all of ’em.
Chicago Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus noted the team had perfect attendance on its first day of mandatory minicamp at Halas Hall. Don’t take this news for granted. Not all teams around the league get that luxury. For instance, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports wide receiver CeeDee Lamb isn’t expected to attend Dallas Cowboys minicamp as he continues to wait out an extension from the team. The same can be said for San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk, who NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport adds to the minicamp holdout list.
Things are relatively peaceful in the land of Chicago football. So, let’s dive into some notes from minicamp.
Caleb Williams threw an interception
Let’s get this one out of the way from the top: Caleb Williams threw an interception to safety Kevin Byard. Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus said the interception was the type of thing that the rookie quarterback needs to experience. The way I see it, it is better to get that type of thing out of the way now as opposed to a crucial moment in a pivotal game down the line. And if I really want to put the pick in the spin zone, I’d frame the interception as one of the main reasons why General Manager Ryan Poles signed Byard to a multi-year contract when he hit free agency.
More Caleb Williams notes and highlight clips from Bears minicamp:
Despite the interception, it sounds like QB1 had a productive day at camp. And if the quarterback has a good day, then it is a good day for the Bears as a franchise.
Some throws from today’s practice via the Bears beat:
Caleb to Rome Odunze (via Sean Hammond)
Caleb Williams to Rome Odunze. pic.twitter.com/AxOfGPf779
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) June 4, 2024
Caleb to Keenan Allen (via Josh Schrock)
Caleb to Keenan pic.twitter.com/KVg0Tij0pQ
— Josh Schrock (@Schrock_And_Awe) June 4, 2024
Caleb to DJ Moore (via CHGO Bears)
DJ Moore with the over the shoulder catch near the right sideline. Caleb Williams with the throw. pic.twitter.com/zhZJFCBqlr
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) June 4, 2024
Just 96 days until meaningful throws in games that count in the standings.
Montez Sweat update
All of the Bears players who weren’t at the last session of voluntary OTA practices at the end of May were present and accounted for for Day 1 of mandatory minicamp. And that includes defensive end Montez Sweat. Coach Flus said he hopes Sweat will get to start the ramp-up process in Day 2. After not being active during the last round of offseason organized team activities, the Bears kept Sweat from participating in team drills. Seems like a heady move to me. When it comes to preparing for Week 1, the build-up process should focus in on the long haul.
Considering Montez Sweat’s importance, I’m down for a “slow and steady wins the race” type of approach.
Sweat, 27, made the Pro Bowl (his first!) last year. And a lot of that heavy lifting came while as a member of the Chicago Bears. After being sent to Chicago from the Washington Commanders ahead of the 2023 NFL Trade Deadline, Sweat put up 6 sacks, 4 tackles-for-loss, and 14 quarterback hits in 9 games. On top of that, his teammates saw an uptick in production. There’s no denying The Tez Effect in these parts.
Other notes Fromm Bears mandatory minicamp
Chicago Bears press conferences: Eberflus | Kmet | Sweat | Allen
