All eyes will be on quarterback Caleb Williams throughout the Chicago Bears offseason program. But on Wednesday, Bears fans didn’t like what they saw from their quarterback.
Ultimately, mistakes are bound to happen in OTAs. They’re almost welcomed, as coaching staffs want to see exactly what needs to be fixed. At the same time though, fans have heard nothing but praise for Chicago’s new-look offense throughout the offseason. To see the unit struggle is a bit jarring.
However, it’s also a testament to the Bears defense . On Wednesday, Tremaine Edmunds specifically came out victorious. The linebacker picked off Williams and played a key role in forcing another interception, via Nicholas Moreano of Bear Goggles On.
Chicago Bears aren’t pushing Caleb Williams panic button
One bad practice won’t shift the team’s opinion on Williams in the slightest. Instead, it’ll give the quarterback some extra film to work with as he looks to fix his mistakes. Head coach Ben Johnson and company have been busy refining the quarterback’s technique, from his pre-snap motion to how he gets up after a hit.
The Bears know that they will go as far as their quarterback does. Johnson’s arrival may bring dreams of an offensive explosion, but it all becomes a moot point if Williams can’t operate the plan at the highest level. Continuing to work through the kinks at OTAs is the best way for Williams to elevate his game at this stage of the offseason.
Still, Chicago’s coaching staff surely took notice on the pair of picks. It wouldn’t be shocking to instill more drills throwing the ball over the middle to help move Williams along. One thing for certain is that the quarterback will certainly have his eye out for Edmunds next time he steps on the field.
Tremaine Edmunds is key Dennis Allen building block
Speaking of Edmunds, the linebacker had a down year to his standards in 2024. However, he is still a leader on Chicago’s defense and expected to play a pivotal role in any success the team finds. Working in Edmunds’ favor is new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s proficiency for coaxing out strong linebacker play.
In 2024, Edmunds registered 110 tackles, eight passes defended and a sack and an interception. His Pro Football Focus numbers were poor, as his 59.2 overall grade ranked 119/189 linebackers. For a player set to make almost $15 million in 2025, Chicago is hoping for a bit more.
However, there’s a reason the Bears doled out a $72 million contract for Edmunds. He has at least 100 tackles every year of his seven-year NFL career. Furthermore, he had four interceptions in his Chicago debut, and it appears his coverage skills are only growing. Edmunds is a seasoned veteran that understands what it takes to succeed at the NFL level. Playing a featured role in Allen’s defense could be exactly what the veteran needs to take another step forward.
While like Williams, the Bears won’t overact to Edmunds’ performance, Chicago knows exactly what they’re getting out of the linebacker. With an out in his contract after his season, a strong showing would prove why Edmunds should stay in the Windy City for the long haul.
