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LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Two practices into his Chicago Bears career, quarterback Caleb Williams is making an impression on his teammates.
“He’s a big presence in the locker room already,” offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie said. “He’s a good leader. He’s a person that works hard. He’s always the first one in, in the morning. When I get here, he’s always here already. So I think he’s going to be a great leader for us on this team.”
And Williams’ bear claw is catching on, too. Even the coach and general manager are doing it.
The Clawwwww 🤩 pic.twitter.com/nGIWim2lFb
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 11, 2024
On Saturday at Halas Hall, Williams got his final work in with the rookies before the Bears’ veterans return. He did so without fellow rookie Rome Odunze, who was present but not participating because of hamstring tightness.
Odunze walked through several of the drills, and it’s likely the Bears are simply being extra cautious.
Here are five takeaways from Day 2 of Bears rookie camp, which included media sessions with the three coordinators as well as position coaches.
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1. No. 9 pick is No. 2 on the mind
In any other year, with any other team, Odunze would have been the No. 1 topic of rookie minicamp. He’s a top-10 pick at wide receiver; he’d be getting all the attention.
But offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, in his first media appearance since February, wasn’t asked a single question about the rookie wideout. Understandably, Odunze is playing second fiddle to Williams, and he was asked Friday if that takes some pressure off him.
“I wouldn’t say (it’s) easier,” Odunze said. “We’re both coming in as rookies trying to do our best to get involved with the culture with this organization and be the best teammates possible that we can be. I think (Williams is) doing that tremendously, and I’m trying my best at it, as well. It’s something that takes time and takes energy from both parties to be able to get done. I couldn’t say one or the other, but I think we’re both trying our best, for sure.”
Odunze caught passes from Williams on Friday, and the two had put in some work together in the days leading up to their first time in Bears uniforms.
The moment you’ve all been waiting for…@CALEBcsw ➡️ @RomeOdunze pic.twitter.com/KcM1BJP2Uh
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 10, 2024
“You obviously see why he had, what, 1,500-plus (yards receiving)?” Williams said. “And a bunch of catches. He’s explosive for his size, explosive route runner and things like that. He’s also really smooth in and out of routes and transitions. So working with him, it’s been great, it’s been awesome. I’m excited for what’s next.”
The rarity — and benefit — of two top-10 picks coming in together at quarterback and receiver isn’t lost on Odunze.
“It’s hard to imagine a better situation, honestly,” he said. “Coming in with a rookie quarterback allows us to grow together and learn this offense together, as well. When he’s studying, I’m there right next to him studying and getting his mindset on different routes and different concepts and learning his perspective on the whole offense. It’s a great way for me to learn because I like to learn the whole concept and then, OK, let me detail it up and understand what I need to do within any specific scheme or concept. To be alongside him, it’s a blessing.”
2. Praise for Odunze
Bears passing game coordinator Thomas Brown said Odunze was his second-favorite interview at the combine … behind Williams.
“The guy had complete ownership from the beginning to the end,” he said of Odunze. “We put him on the board, talking concepts, talking film study. He was high level in terms of overall IQ, communication skills. … The moving-piece part — he can back up all three spots and be a versatile piece for us.”
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Receivers coach Chris Beatty, who has worked with Keenan Allen and DJ Moore previously, also took note of Odunze’s intelligence.
“He’s really smart,” Beatty said. “… He’s able to pick things up. And I think he’s got a grasp of a pro set that you get from being in a college offense that has some pro principles in it. So I think that gave him a leg up, but he’s one of those guys that picks things up very quickly.”
For head coach Matt Eberflus, Odunze’s work ethic is what stands out. It’s probably why Odunze wasn’t going to spend the practice standing on the sideline, even with the hamstring issue.
“He knows he’s not a finished product. He’s got a lot of improving to do as he gets into the NFL,” Eberflus said. “But his work ethic is elite. He worked himself into being that top-10 pick.”
A message from mom after @RomeOdunze‘s life changed forever ❤️ #NFLDraft@UW_Football | @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/dLuZVnZESd
— NFL (@NFL) April 27, 2024
3. Passing the eye test
Without pads on, the most noticeable way for linemen to stand out at rookie minicamp is with their size.
In our first time getting to see defensive end Austin Booker in person, his length stood out. Defensive coordinator Eric Washington has seen it, too, and knows it helps Booker rush the passer.
“Length is a great advantage for every player on the field, especially a player on the edge,” he said. “What it allows you to do is to advance and put that tackle under duress right now. He can gain ground, he can really take the grass and really force the protection mechanics against the person he’s working against. The quicker you can get there, the quicker you can initiate the play, initiate the violence, the better.”
Day 1️⃣ in the Book(s) pic.twitter.com/WGnXel8QEZ
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 10, 2024
Without getting to fully work on his pass-rush arsenal, Booker said he’s using rookie camp to sharpen his get-off, pad level and hands. He hasn’t played with his hand in the dirt since high school, so he’s also been “getting back into the groove of things” with a three-point stance.
Booker has also shown Washington the energy he displayed on tape at Kansas.
“He has a tremendous amount of energy,” Washington said. “He never seems to be out of the play either early or as the play extends with the quarterback, especially as a rusher. And when you talk about slippery, it’s just hard for the protection, either the person assigned to him or whatever, to get a solid shot on him. He’s always rotating and flipping his hips at the right time so he can continue to advance toward the quarterback, and so he has that innate feel and ability.”
4. Amegadjie’s ramp-up
After surgery on his quad last October, Amegadjie will sit out the offseason training program with the expectation he’ll be ready for camp in July, Eberflus said.
In the meantime, Amegadjie is spending practice with O-line coach Chris Morgan and taking a slow start to his NFL career.
“Classroom’s big,” Morgan said. “Being out on the field watching the drills is big. You can actually stand behind and take really great mental reps. A lot of growth we can accomplish in the next month, for sure.”
Five Guys pic.twitter.com/1RRtJR4jkj
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 11, 2024
The lifelong Bears fan is soaking in getting to start his first job, working for his hometown team.
“Obviously, it has been surreal,” Amegadjie said. “This is my team growing up. I obviously grew up in the area. It’s been amazing. I’m really excited I can contribute to the history and the culture of my favorite team, my favorite sports team in general.”
5. A weapon at punter
The first rookie to sign his contract was Tory Taylor, the Australian punter who said he first touched an American football in July 2019.
“About five years ago if someone told me that I’d be standing at the podium at an NFL facility, I would have told them that they’re absolutely crazy,” he said.
Ahead of Taylor’s first punt in a Bears uniform, special teams coordinator Richard Hightower put the rookie at ease by saying, “Man, you’re a Chicago Bear.”
“That really helped me settle the nerves a little bit,” Taylor said. “Like I said, I’m just really grateful to be here. Certainly come a long way in a few years.”
Hightower said Taylor’s skill set is “rare.”
“The strength in his leg and then the touch that he has,” he said. “You guys saw the strength in his leg (Friday). We worked open-field punting, and he’s as good as advertised.”
Camped out ⛺️ pic.twitter.com/evbaTn0FVl
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 11, 2024
Taylor has mentioned San Francisco 49ers punter Mitch Wishnowsky as a player after which he tries to model his game, and Wishnowsky also played for Hightower in San Francisco.
“Mitch led the league in plus-50 punting last year. He’s a weapon. And I see Tory in the same way. I see Tory as a weapon,” Hightower said. “… Good thing about Tory is — you guys saw him, he’s a big man. He’s all of 6-4, 200-plus pounds, and when he hits that ball, you can hear the sound of that ball and that thump of that ball. I’m excited about this kid, obviously.”
(Photo of Rome Odunze: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
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