Bears veterans deliver vital message to Caleb Williams after tough OTA practice originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — DJ Moore called Thursday’s practice at OTAs “frustrating” for the Bears’ offense as the defense suffocated rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the passing attack.
There’s no point in tallying up Williams’ completions and attempts in May. It was a tough day at the office for the No. 1 overall pick — one that shouldn’t come as a surprise. But it also highlighted how cohesive the long-term vision is at Halas Hall.
The Bears’ defense understands it will play a key role in sharpening Williams for his rookie season. They plan to give the rookie hell every day on the back fields to ensure he is fully prepared for everything coming his way Sunday.
As the defense dominated Williams and the offense Thursday, veteran safety Kevin Byard made sure to tell the rookie quarterback that this would pay off in the long run.
“I said something to him at the end of practice: Keep going, we’re gonna keep making you better,” Byard said Thursday. “Not necessarily saying that he had a terrible day, but like days like this are gonna make you better. So that’s our job, and like I said, obviously, just the first three days of practice, he’s done a lot of positive things. He’s made some really great throws. Just coming in with that swag as a rookie quarterback, he doesn’t seem flustered by anything, so that’s exciting to see.”
Byard said that Williams and the offense diced them up 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 be, week to week,” Byard said about his message to Williams about his practice struggles. “Every week is not going to be great. Some weeks, we’re going to have to do a two-minute drill; he’s going to have to go win us a game. Some weeks, we’re going to blow people…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-veterans-deliver-vital-message-175204918.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2024-05-24 17:52:04
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