Chicago Bears Day 17 at Halas Hall showcased Caleb Williams taking charge of the offense in shells, threading passes and leading a disciplined two-minute drill. His command and decisiveness signal growth as the team installs a new system under Ben Johnson, a baseline for early fantasy upside in a fast-paced attack.

Rome Odunze blossomed as Williams’ top connection, combining with the former 2024 first-round pick on a 20-yard middle route and a follow-up completion that nudged the team toward a potential field-goal moment. The duo’s growing chemistry could mean steady target volume this season, pushing Odunze into a reliable fantasy floor behind Moore.

On defense, Josh Blackwell earned more starting reps with Kyler Gordon nursing a hamstring, flashing playmaking value that’s hard to ignore in deep leagues. Darnell Wright’s non-padded highlight underlined Chicago’s improving line play, while Loveland, Burden III and Trapilo offered early depth-chart intrigue as roster battles heat up around the starters.

rostering depth pieces like Doug Kramer, Dominique Robinson and Jonathan Owens also drew attention and could influence late-round fantasy stashes or taxi-squad upside as the Bears refine personnel for 2025.

The Chicago Bears are shoring up their depleted secondary by lining up three defensive backs this week: safety Mark Perry and cornerbacks Mekhi Garner and Kaleb Hayes. Their signings come after a weekend preseason tilt with the Dolphins in which several Bears DBs left the game with injuries, and with Jaylon Johnson on the NFI list and Kyler Gordon and Zah Frazier dealing with health issues. The trio participated in a larger Monday tryout, underscoring Black-and-White’s intent to add depth for camp and early preseason rather than immediate long-term fixes. The moves signal Chicago’s plan to weather practice wear and ongoing camp injuries while depth players earn a chance to prove themselves.

Perry, Garner, and Hayes bring a mix of undrafted free-agent background and special-teams versatility. Perry, a 2024 UDFA from TCU who has bounced among practice squads; Garner, a 2023 UDFA who appeared in three games with Philadelphia and later spent time with the Renegades; Hayes, another 2023 UDFA with multiple NFL stops but no regular-season games yet—each adds potential depth and competition for snaps in a position group hit hard by injuries. With Johnson on NFI and the Bears cautious about training camp, these additions aim to stabilize the back end without disrupting player development as Chicago eyes a fuller health return in advance of deeper preseason work.

The Chicago Bears are buzzing as Head Coach Ben Johnson has injected a sense of fun into training camp practices, blending roles in ways that astound spectators. In a surprising twist, Johnson had quarterback Caleb Williams lead the defense, while cornerback Nick McCloud stepped into a receiver role, demonstrating the versatility of players. This creative approach not only keeps practices lively but also fosters camaraderie among teammates.

During a recent session, Williams successfully connected with McCloud on a crucial third-and-five, showcasing their adaptability. However, the offense faced repercussions, having to perform push-ups, indicating the competitive spirit Johnson wants to cultivate. While these unconventional drills may not translate directly to game day, they reflect Johnson's innovative mindset, sparking intrigue about how this could influence team dynamics going forward.

The Chicago Bears have signed safety Nick McCloud, adding another former Notre Dame player to their roster. McCloud, who had a brief stint with the Fighting Irish in 2020, has previously played for teams like the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers. Over his career, he has accrued 85 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception, showcasing his potential as a solid contributor in Chicago.

This move underscores the Bears' growing connection with Notre Dame talent, as McCloud joins fellow Irish alumni Cole Kmet and Durham Smythe, among others. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if McCloud can build on his past performance and further bolster the Bears' defensive unit.