Bears training camp report: Wednesday, Aug. 7 (2024)

The Bears conducted a fully padded practice that was open to the public Wednesday at Halas Hall. Here's what transpired:

The play that elicited the loudest oohs and aahs from the crowd came when running back D'Andre Swift reached high to pluck a screen pass out of the air with one hand.

"I'm not surprised because he's done that before," said running backs coach Chad Morton. "He did that in another practice, so I know what he's capable of. There's nothing he can do that surprises me. It's just another day for him."

He did it again 🤯 https://t.co/RQYtEIj7d9 pic.twitter.com/00L97Yjv7T

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 7, 2024

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When the Bears agreed to terms with Swift on the first day of free agency in March, they added an explosive dual-threat weapon. Appearing in 56 games in his first four NFL seasons with the Lions (2020-22) and Eagles (2023), he has rushed for 2,779 yards and 23 touchdowns on 593 carries and caught 195 passes for 1,412 yards and eight TDs.

"Just think of all the different ways we can use him now," Morton said. "We already know he can run the ball. But it opens up all the screen games. We can put him as a receiver, have him run option routes out there, jet sweeps or even [act as] a decoy. There are so many things that are available for him. He's just going to be so valuable, not just as a runner but for the entire offense and all the stuff he can do."

Swift possesses multiple traits that enable him to excel as a pass catcher.

"He's got great hand-eye coordination," Morton said. "He's really smart. He knows how to read man [or] zone. He's just very detailed. He knows where to be at the right time, knows spacing very well. Lots of guys, they can't read zone very well and get too close to the defender. He just understands spacing. He's just a smart kid. He works his butt off too. He's just all business."

Swift's no-nonsense mentality has been evident since he first joined the Bears.

"D'Andre is a super talented football player," said passing game coordinator Thomas Brown. "But what I love the most about him—which I didn't know until I started working with him—is the way he works. Just every single day, the guy's about business."

Williams showing incremental growth

Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has seen quarterback Caleb Williams continue to gain a firmer grasp of the playbook.

"When we watch him go through his reads and progressions right there, going to where the ball should go is happening way more times than not," Waldron said. "He has been doing a good job reading with his feet, sticking within progression, recognizing coverage structures. Seeing all those things is what really gives you the confidence moving forward."

Brown has seen plenty of evidence that indicates Williams will be ready for the Bears' season opener against the Titans Sunday, Sept. 8 at Soldier Field.

"One of the biggest things is just the competitive spirit," Brown said. "Coming to work every single day, competing in every single drill, communicating well with his teammates, but also just being able to hold himself to a higher standard from an accountability standpoint."

Brown has been impressed with how Williams has performed on the practice field.

"He makes 2-3 throws every day that are better than most rookie quarterbacks you've been around," Brown said. "Being able to understand how to operate the offense, play on time, but also not take away from his athletic ability to move outside the pocket's going to be a big thing. He's done a really good job so far."

Throughout training camp, Williams has demonstrated the ability to extend plays with his legs and then find open receivers.

Asked about the biggest challenge in practicing against Williams, defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. said: "Really just his mobility in the pocket, trying to contain him. He makes his reads and then he's able to move around. He's not a statue in there. So just trying to contain him and stay level. As a D-line, we try to even up the rush lanes. Sometimes with a guy like that, you think you've got him … and he's able to get out of there."

Dexter 'a way different player' in Year 2

Speaking of Dexter, the 2023 second-round pick from Florida has been a force throughout camp and appears primed to have a breakout season after showing promise as a rookie.

Dexter sports a leaner and stronger physique after reshaping his body during the offseason. He also has a much better understanding of the defense and what it's like to play in the NFL than he did a year ago.

"I feel way different," he said. "Almost a totally different player because I know what to expect, I know the playbook, I know what it's supposed to look like, I know where I'm supposed to be when I finish a play. I feel totally different."

In practices this summer, the 6-foot-6 defensive tackle has shown a propensity to bat down passes.

"I think it's natural," Dexter said. "I've got long arms. I'm a bigger, taller guy, so if there's a situation where I can't get all the way to the quarterback and get that sack, you've got to get your hands up and get some tipped passes. Those turn into turnovers and that's what we want as a defense."

Dexter has placed a much greater emphasis on batting down passes with the Bears than he did at Florida.

"I think I've actively gotten better," he said. "In college for me, if I didn't get a sack, then play was over. Now I know what coach [Eric] Washington and coach Trav (Travis Smith), they preach a lot, 'Get your hands up, bat the ball.' Now it has come in my head that, 'OK, if I'm not there, I need to get my hands up.' Or if I'm going to split a rush guy and I'm at the point where I'm right in front of the quarterback, I have to get my hands up."