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Caleb Williams QB coach reveals surprising prep work done by Bears top pick

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This shows how Caleb Williams will impact the bears and how serious he is on doing good for the team. He knew he was going to the bears way before the NFL draft that he even invited new WR’s Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze to LA to practice and build chemistry with one another. I feel like the bears this season have a QB who will take them far and will help build a true team.

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There was little drama with the first pick of the NFL Draft. The Bears didn't hide their interest in Caleb Williams. And the former USC quarterback even wore a custom blue suit for the festivities.

Also, by the time Williams put on a Bears hat and stepped to the stage in Detroit, he also had a good grasp on the new Chicago offense. It seems he'd been practicing the likely Bears plays for weeks.

Williams, the 2022 Heisman winner, works with private quarterback coach Will Hewlett. And Hewlett explained in an interview this week how Williams had worked on the concepts of Chicago offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's playbook. As other top prospects were traveling and talking to teams that may draft them, Williams spent the past six weeks as a de facto Bears quarterback.

"I have pieces (of the playbook). I don't have the plays," Hewlett said during an appearance on Chicago's 670 The Score. And "I could have the plays and would that really help because there's so many other layers that go into having a successful football play work? But we have the basic route concepts in terms of depths and timing, and then how that matches together."

Hewlett added: "The NFL is somewhat of a copycat league within the systems that are run. So there's stuff that we were already working on that it was just given a different name, instead of a pivot route, it's a thunder route, or whatever the case may be ... I have Shane Waldron terminology."

Hewlett also made an interesting observation. He said the quarterback is "hungry for structure."

Like Williams, Bears offensive coordinator is also new to Bears

The Bears hired Waldrop earlier this year after Waldrop spent the past three seasons as Pete Carroll's offensive coordinator with the Seahawks.

Meanwhile, Williams was so confident that he was going to the Bears that he invited several Chicago receivers to Los Angeles before the draft for some throwing sessions. flew to LA and met new Bears receiver Keenan Allen. Plus, Rome Odunze, who ended up going to the Bears with the ninth pick of the first round, also joined the group.

"I went there. We had a good throwing session," Moore said in an interview with The Guardian. "We were bouncing off ideas from each other, how we're gonna do things and stuff like that. It was a good one."

All this preparation should impress Bears coaches when the team conducts its rookie minicamp May 10-11. OTAs will be held between May 20-31. Mandatory mini camp is June 4-6.

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Caleb Williams QB coach reveals surprising prep work done by Bears top pick

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There was little drama with the first pick of the NFL Draft. Turns out, Caleb Williams had been a de facto Bears QB for weeks.

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REPORT: Concerns surface Chicago Bears have 'too' many offensive weapons; star WR wants his targets

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Darnell Mooney who is apart of the Chicago Bears wide receiver core is worried about not getting the ball. The bears have upped their offensive scheme and arguably have the best offensive team they had in history. With many stars at the WR position Darnell is worried about how targets will be spread evenly. I feel like the targets this season for Darnell Mooney will be less than last season but he must sacrifice that if he wants a potential franchise team.

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Is it possible for the Chicago Bears to have too much talent at wide receiver?

One star wide receiver appeared to hint the team could have a problem making sure their playmakers receive enough targets in the upcoming season. With the No. 9 pick in the draft, the Bears added Rome Odzune to a pass-catching group of D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet, and Gerald Everett. On paper, the Bears arguably have their best offensive-skilled group in the team's history.

And that's nothing to say of running back D'Andre Swift, who is expected to have an important role in the passing scheme in the upcoming season.

Too many weapons for the Chicago Bears?

According to Ryan Taylor with NBC Sports, Moore suggested the Bears could have too many skilled players competing for passes if general manager Ryan Poles took a wide receiver with the No. 9 pick:

"It's always good to have an unlimited number of playmakers," Moore said before the draft. "But there's only one ball. So we'll see what we do. I'm pretty sure we'll do the right thing no matter what we do. Receiver, lineman, anybody. I'm just looking forward to it."

D.J. Moore wants the ball...more

Moore made similar comments last season. He was upset by a lack of targets during the Bears' blowout loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Per an interview on 670 The Score, Moore said he wanted the ball more since he is an impact player:

"A little upset that I didn't get the ball, but that's just the game," Moore said. "We've only got one ball and 11 people on the field, but the defense was really keying into where I was at the whole time. Either rolling coverage or just playing two people with me. That's just how it goes when you have impact games or make impact plays on a team.

Rome Odunze overkill on the Chicago Bears offense?

Moore isn't the only person thinking the Bears could have a problem brewing with the new receiver corps. Alex Kay with Bleacher Report wrote the Bears were the "worst" landing spot for Odunze because the rookie would have to compete with elite players for touches:

The Bears are likely to throw on far more than the 51.3 percent of offensive snaps they did with Justin Fields at the helm in 2023-the second-lowest percentage in the NFL last year-but there still won't be enough passing plays dialed up for Odunze to see anywhere near the usage rate he did for the Huskies.

The wideout is coming off a sterling final collegiate season in which he amassed 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns on 92 catches. As a rookie, he'll probably have to settle for just a handful of targets coming his way each week.

Having too many elite pass-catchers may be a good problem for Williams and the Chicago offense to have, but it won't result in the type of early stardom that Odunze likely would have found elsewhere.

Hopefully, the Bears won't have a situation where a star wide receiver causes drama in the locker room because they're not being targeted enough. Rumors have persisted that A.J. Brown with the Philadelphia Eagles and Stefon Diggs with the Buffalo Bills caused issues with their respective teams and quarterbacks because they wanted the ball more.

Moore doesn't seem to be that type of player. Allen can't complain too much since the aging pass catcher will be set to hit free agency next offseason.

There is one good reason no one in Chicago should be worried about having too many weapons-injuries.
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REPORT: Concerns surface Chicago Bears have 'too' many offensive weapons; star WR wants his targets

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The Chicago Bears have arguably one of their best receiver groups in the team's history. One wide receiver appears worried about targets.

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Bears stadium plan stirs up political drama

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The bears plan on building a new stadium in Springfield but lack the funds for it. Governor JB Prizker said he will sponsor the Bears with $5 billion dollars. He has currently put a hold on the project because he needs to see how taxpayers in Illinois will benefit from it. I feel like JB should invest in the bears because if the people in Springfield are worried about their taxes, JB said there will be no raise. Also, if the residents of Springfield plan on selling their homes it’ll be almost worth double if a new stadium is built because of it being so close.

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Bears stadium plan stirs up political drama

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The plan may get derailed in Springfield in the spring session.

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Illinois governor's office says Bears' plan for stadium remains 'non-starter' after meeting

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Illinois governor's office says Bears' plan for stadium remains 'non-starter' after meeting

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CORRECTS POSITIONS OF IDS - Chicago Bears president Kevin Warren, joined by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, left, speaks during a news conference where NFL football team unveiled a nearly $5 billion proposal Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Chicago, for an enclosed stadium next door to their current home at Soldier Field.(AP Photo/Teresa Crawford)

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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at a news conference in Chicago, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Illinois Governor Pritzker, and U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker delivered joint remarks recognizing the Illinois-Ukraine partnership. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Bears' proposal to fund a new lakefront stadium remains a "non-starter," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office said after top aides met with team officials on Wednesday.

The Bears unveiled a nearly $5 billion plan calling for public funding last week for an enclosed facility to be built next to their longtime home at Soldier Field. Though the governor did not rule out more discussions, the team clearly is facing an uphill battle.

"As the Governor has said, the current proposal is a non-starter for the state," press secretary Alex Gough said in a statement. "In order to subsidize a brand new stadium for a privately owned sports team, the Governor would need to see a demonstrable and tangible benefit to the taxpayers of Illinois. The Governor's office remains open to conversations with the Bears, lawmakers, and other stakeholders with the understanding that responsible fiscal stewardship of tax-payer dollars remains the foremost priority."

Pritzker's chief of staff Anne Caprara and deputy governor Andy Manar met with the Bears, who called it "a productive conversation."

"We share a commitment to protecting the taxpayers of Illinois and look forward to further discussions," the team added.

The Bears' plan calls for $3.2 billion for the new stadium plus an additional $1.5 billion in infrastructure. The team and the city said the project would add green and open space while improving access to the city's Museum Campus.

The proposal calls for $2.025 billion from the Bears, $300 million from an NFL loan and $900 million in bonds from the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. The funding from the ISFA would involve extending bonds of the existing 2% hotel tax.

Mayor Brandon Johnson gave a full-throated endorsement last week, saying the project is in line with Daniel Burnham's "Plan of Chicago." He said there would be no tax hikes or new taxes for Chicago residents. But Pritzker and other state legislators are skeptical of the plan.

The Bears spent $197.2 million more than a year ago to purchase the site of the shuttered Arlington International Racecourse from Churchill Downs Inc. They envisioned building a stadium on the 326-acre tract of land some 30 miles northwest of Soldier Field, with restaurants, retail and more on the property - all for about $5 billion, with some taxpayer help.

The Bears had said they would pay for the stadium in Arlington Heights, with taxpayer dollars covering infrastructure costs such as roads and sewers. Those plans stalled, with the team citing a property assessment it said was too high.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Seligman covers Chicago sports for The Associated Press. He has been with the AP since 2005.

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Illinois governor's office says Bears' plan for stadium remains 'non-starter' after meeting

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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office says the Chicago Bears' proposal to fund a new lakefront stadium remains a "non-starter."

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Chicago Bears Wide Receiver Trio's Versatility Make Them A True Coverage Nightmare

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The praise has been pouring in for the Chicago Bears and their accomplishments during the 2024 NFL Draft, as many NFL analysts have been raving out the prospects they took. Fans and the media have been extremely pleased with the selection of USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, as Chicago's offense is viewed as one of the most potent units heading into the 2024 season. Analysts believe the Bears' receiver group, which features DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Odunze, can be the best in the league given how well each pass-catcher compliments one another's versatility.

Versality To Play Inside And Out Is What Makes The Bears' Trio Of Wide Receivers A Coverage Nightmare

General manager Ryan Poles has done a terrific job rebuilding Chicago's offense over two years. Barring injury, the Bears' offense will feature two consistent 1,000-yard pass-catchers in Moore and Allen, along with one of the best wide receiver talents available in this year's draft in Odunze. Williams has potentially the most offensive weapons a first-round quarterback has ever had, as he will have three players at the receiver position who could be a top target with a majority of NFL teams.

Chicago Bears now have :

DJ Moore
Keenan Allen
AND
Rome Odunze

At the WR position. Any of them can run the slot. This might be the best WR trio in the NFL.#Dabears
- Carolina Teague - The Mic Slayer (@CTtheMicSlayer) April 26, 2024

What makes the trio of Odunze, Allen, and Moore dangerous and explosive is their well-rounded capabilities at the position. The two veteran wide receivers have proven to be consistent threats, whether lined up on the outside or in the slot position. Last year, Moore and Allen each recorded five 100-yard receiving games and one game of 200 receiving yards or more.

Last season, Moore caught 96 passes for 1,364 yards and eight touchdown catches despite playing with two quarterbacks in Justin Fields and Tyson Bagent. More impressive was that Chicago's best wide receiver had his two best games playing in different roles, lining up outside for one game and in the slot for the other. Against the Washington Commanders, Moore caught eight receptions for 230 yards lined up outside while collecting nine passes for 159 yards in the slot against the Atlanta Falcons.

Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.

atlanta responded to how chicago was getting bates matched onto moore by asking aj terrell, their star corner, to follow DJ.

the bears ran moore on a slot fade with an outside clear. hard assignment for terrell, good throw, ridiculous track. WR1 shit pic.twitter.com/2C24UNspzS
- Mike Faltas (@chi_faltas) January 4, 2024

Allen's career is defined by his versatility and near perfection at the position, as he is viewed as the best route-running wide receiver in the league. The six-time Pro Bowl pass-catcher has racked up five seasons of 100 receptions or more and six seasons of 1,000 receiving yards or more. Allen, despite his diminishing speed, still gains separation due to his superb route-running ability and knowledge of opposing defensive coverages.

With Allen and Moore's capability to be effective both inside and outside, Odunze's unique talents make him the ideal talent to be paired with the talented veteran receivers. The Washington pass-catcher has an elite mix of speed and size that allows him to beat defenders deep while being able to win 50/50 opportunities due to his large frame. Odunze could be a significant weapon in red zone opportunities due to his ability to fight defenders for the football in tight situations.

Chicago's Offensive Scheme Is The Perfect Fit To Capitalize On The Trio's Capabilities

With the Bears' offense featuring such talents as Williams, Odunze, Allen, and Moore, along with D'Andre Swift, Cole Kmet, and Gerald Everett, it is hard to find a glaring weakness at the skill positions. To complement the high level of proven players on the offensive side of the ball, Poles hired former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, whose scheme may be perfect for this unit. Waldron's best two attributes as a play-caller are his ability to get immense production from his quarterback and include all his offensive weapons in the passing attack.

Waldron's signature feat during his time with the Seahawks was his work with veteran quarterback Geno Smith, who was written off as a first-round bust. Following All-Pro signal-caller Russell Wilson being traded to Denver, Smith took over as Seattle's starter and passed for over 4,000 yards, 30 touchdowns, and a quarterback rating over 100. The former first-round quarterback has been named to the Pro Bowl the last two seasons as the Seahawks' starter.

One of the main reasons for Smith's success in Waldron's offense is because of the scheme's goal of involving every pass-catcher in the passing attack. Last season, the Seahawks featured two 1,000-yard receivers in Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf, paired with a first-round pass-catcher in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, leading to each one recording 60 receptions or more. Poles' goal with the hire of Waldron is to give Williams the same guidance provided to Smith and the same amount of open passing targets Seattle had, and likely even more.

The trio of Allen, Moore, and Odunze is already in contention to be the best receivers group in the league, with only injuries and rookie development by Williams being the only threats. Poles has not only done an amazing job of constructing an elite pass-catching group, but also in compiling a group of players that highlight one another's best attributes. If Chicago's offense adapts quickly to Waldron's new offense, it has the pieces to be the best offensive unit in franchise history in 2024.

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Chicago Bears Wide Receiver Trio's Versatility Make Them A True Coverage Nightmare

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The praise has been pouring in for the Chicago Bears and their accomplishments during the 2024 NFL Draft, as many NFL analysts have been raving out the prospects they took. Fans and the media have been extremely pleased with the selection of USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, as Chicago's offense is viewed as [...]