LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — In leading the Bears through the last period of practice and a two-minute drill Sunday, quarterback Caleb Williams made a rookie mistake.
Williams waited too long to release the football and pulled the trigger too late, throwing an interception to second-year cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. Members of the Bears’ starting defense raised their voices in a familiar refrain, while the 22-year-old Williams was left to process the type of miscue that's expected of him at this early stage.
After all, Williams can learn from both successes and failures during training camp. The goal is to build with these experiences.
“He did a great job during his time away from the building, owning the offense, understanding different calls and able to come out here these first two practices and operate at a much higher level than we left it,” Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron said. “We know it’s not the final product, but every day we see these incremental improvements leading up to the first game. That’s our goal.”
Adapting to that type of mindset is a bit of an adjustment for Williams, a self-described "perfectionist" who struggles to accept failures. But there will be both good days and bad days for Williams during his rookie campaign.
During the offseason program, Williams had performances in practices in which he picked apart a talented defense – and also days that he scuffled through. The Bears’ defense is prepared to challenge Williams in practice, recognizing that it can help him improve.
“I'm the toughest on myself,” Williams said. “I go out there and I'll mess up a play. I've thrown a pick in minicamp and things like that. So, being tough on myself but also having an understanding of where we are and where I am. The progression is key. Those bad times, it's not a time to have self-doubt. That's just a waste of time. It's a time to keep growing, keep progressing and keep believing in yourself."
The Bears are still determining their plan for Williams’ workload in the preseason, head coach Matt Eberflus said. Chicago will play four exhibition games, starting with the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1. Eberflus indicated Williams could work 45 to 55 snaps during the preseason, though it’s unclear how those will be divided with each game.
As the Bears move forward with their training camp and preseason work, they understand the opportunity in place for Williams’ growth.
“It’s important to get out there and have an understanding of what an NFL game is like,” Waldron said. “All the nuances to the officials, where the (play) clock is, the hashes, playing all those stuff in a new stadium, different stadiums. I think adjusting to that and getting around his guys.
“There will be a plan in place, and we’ll get to those reps where we feel like he’s at a point where he’s comfortable and ready to go for the regular season.”
Rome returns
Bears rookie receiver Rome Odunze rejoined the team Sunday after missing the first day of practice Saturday due to a personal matter.
"He already got a bonus with the way he worked in OTAs, the way he was initially here," Waldron said of Odunze. "I think he’s a guy that picks up right where he leaves off every single time, getting a little bit better, just like Caleb did, from the time off to getting back here with his knowledge of what we’re doing."
Offensive tackle Braxton Jones and linebacker T.J. Edwards remained limited in their work due to undisclosed injuries. Tight end Gerald Everett (undisclosed) and offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie (quad) were placed on the non-football injury list to open training camp.
The Bears will practice Monday and Tuesday before taking an off day Wednesday. The team will begin work in full pads late in the upcoming week.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.