Caleb Williams showed sharper command in Day 16 of Bears camp, capping a productive two-minute drill with Cairo Santos’s game-winning field goal and reconnecting with Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus along the way. A standout pocket moment came when Williams stood tall under pressure and delivered a middle-target ball to DJ Moore, even as Moore dropped what would have been a big gain. The session wasn’t flawless: pre-snap penalties lingered across units and a Bad Pitch to Swift produced a fumble, a reminder that the offense still has work to do as Williams heads into Year 2 in Ben Johnson’s system. Odunze emerged as the likely red-zone focal point, with a 10-yard connection on third-and-10 and a 6-yard completion on second-and-1, reinforcing Williams’ growing chemistry with Chicago’s rookie and veteran targets. The Bears have rebuilt the supporting cast and interior line to support Williams’ ascent, signaling a poised offense for his second season and a fantasy upgrade in Chicago’s passing game, provided the offensive hiccups tighten up and Williams sustains the sharpened rhythm.

Day 16 at Halas Hall brought the Bears’ ongoing left tackle battle into sharper focus while highlighting Caleb Williams’s resurgence. Williams directed a crisp two-minute drill, finishing with Cairo Santos’s game-clinching field goal, and connected repeatedly with top targets Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus in red-zone and situational shots. The left-tackle competition intensified as Ozzy Trapilo stayed at right tackle with Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet alternating with the starters at left tackle, signaling a wide-open, merit-based push for the job. Williams’ rapport with Odunze and Zaccheaus added optimism for the passing game, though pre-snap penalties persisted across units, a recurring theme from practice. Injury notes were modest but noteworthy, with Smith and McCloud in attendance and Luke Newman sidelined by concussion, while Dexter Sr. had his elbow checked but returned to the field. Overall the Bears appear to be carving a competitive path to Week 1, balancing development with urgency as the two-minute drill underscored Williams’s ability to ratchet up a late drive when needed.

The day’s rhythm pointed to a balanced offensive staff: Williams maximizing efficiency when clean, Odunze emerging as a legitimate go-to in red-zone sequences, Zaccheaus continuing to earn trust, and Trapilo’s cross-training offering versatility. The narrative around the left tackle spot remains unsettled, with Benedet’s rotation into the starting group amplifying the sense that the competition will stretch into August. Even with Williams’s improved performance, the team’s attention to pre-snap discipline and consistent pass protection will determine how quickly the offense can translate training-camp momentum into regular-season production.

The Chicago Bears opened preseason with a 24-24 tie versus Miami, and even with the starters on the sideline, intrigue abounded in roster battles and young players who flashed in Week 1. Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, and Kyle Monangai each left a mark, showcasing depth at tight end, receiver and running back while Dennis Allen’s defense teased an aggressive, playmaking identity with two takeaways and six sacks.

Caleb Williams rested, but Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum seized the backup QB job chatter as Chicago kept three signal-callers in play. D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Monangai and Travis Homer formed a crowded backfield, with Monangai flashing power and balance in Swift’s absence. The WR group benefited from Moores’ absence as Burden III showed two catches for 29 yards and Duvernay added special-teams value, while Loveland and Smythe anchored a young TE room behind Kmet.

Up front, the OL competed at left tackle, where Braxton Jones faced Ozzy Trapilo with Trapilo delivering a stronger day in pass protection. On defense, a rotation of Sweat, Odeyingbo, Turner and Pickens teased depth; the secondary shuffled without Johnson and Gordon, heightening the stakes for training camp. Santos showed leg confidence with a 57-yard field goal as Chicago begins the push toward the regular season.

The Chicago Bears are entering the 2025 NFL season with renewed optimism, highlighted by transformational changes in coaching and player personnel. The hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach marks a significant shift aimed at revitalizing the franchise. Alongside this, the organization is making strides to bolster their roster with strategic additions to the offensive line and a focus on enhancing their defense. A promising draft class is also anticipated to contribute to the team's upward trajectory.

Among the players to watch is Cairo Santos, who holds the importance of being a reliable kicker in a time of potential transition for the Bears. As the team gears up for a competitive season, the synergy between new management and fresh talent will be crucial in steering the Bears back to winning ways.