On Wednesday, the Chicago Bears took it slow with a low-intensity midweek practice in shorts and shells at Halas Hall. Before they hit the field today, Head Coach Ben Johnson made it clear that his group would be back in pads today, and the intensity would be ratcheted up again.
After working on some installations on Wednesday, Johnson said Thursday’s practice would be the most physical and longest yet. Johnson called today an opportunity for his coaching staff to see “who’s here to survive through training camp and who wants to be the kind of the mountain,” and win some jobs.
Johnson also fell on the sword for a subpar effort from his offense on Wednesday, saying that he didn’t do a good enough job installing the plays that his unit struggled with yesterday at Halas Hall.
Johnson’s accountability is refreshing. His ability to back up his words is even more refreshing.
Not only did he correct his perceived mistakes from Wednesday, but he also delivered a high-intensity practice that featured his offense taking a massive step forward in his installation process today.
Jul 24, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) signals during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesLuther Burden III Steals the Show
If you’ve been tracking today’s activities at Halas Hall on the internet, you’re aware that the Chicago Bears offense turned in a dominant performance, with plenty of highlights. But we’ll start with rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III, who will soon be a significant problem for opposing defenses.
After missing the entire offseason program with an injury, and opening camp working away from the team drills, there was plenty of fair concern surrounding the second-rounder out of Mizzou. His first day as a participant in team drills didn’t inspire much confidence, with Ben Johnson seen chewing the rookie out and sending him off the field after he failed to line up properly out of the huddle, one of Johnson’s concerns with him missing time.
I don’t know if it was the on-field chewing, a conversation Johnson or someone on the staff had with Burden, or some combination, but he’s been the star of the show at Halas Hall since. He impressed during Wednesday’s less-than-stellar showing by the offense, and he put on an absolute show on Thursday, a practice that Johnson called one where guys will win jobs and prove who wants to be the king of the mountain.
Burden’s day started hot, beating his man on a deep route down the sideline for a touchdown from backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.
Tyson with a nuke to Luther Burden III pic.twitter.com/nn7xVCvEcV
— Burns (@therealburns3) July 31, 2025Then he flashed his athleticism with a terrific body control and hands on a deep crosser to the sideline. I could probably go on about Burden, but I will move on, because some other performances need some run in this space today.
Caleb Williams was one of them.
Caleb Williams Backs It Up …
Williams said yesterday that he felt like he was “rolling” when asked about his progress in Johnson’s new offense.
“I’m pretty smooth with it,” Williams said during his media availability at Halas Hall.
On Thursday, he backed it up with arguably the best practice performance he’s ever had with the Bears.
During training camp, there is generally a consensus opinion on a player or unit’s performance from the eyes at Halas Hall. Then you’ll find a few dissenting opinions. That’s normal and reasonable. So when I watched a flood of raving reviews of Williams’ performance today, I typed his name in the search bar and began to search for the dissenting opinion. I couldn’t find one. Not a single one. Not even a splash of cold water regarding the second-year quarterback’s performance today from the usual tough critics on the beat.
Here is a gorgeous deep ball to receiver Rome Odunze that made the rounds on social media this morning:
Caleb Williams connects with Rome Odunze deep pic.twitter.com/OWlgdFujCD
— Dave (@dave_bfr) July 31, 2025And here’s another one to Olamide Zaccheaus — who is having a terrific camp himself:
Caleb throwing a PISS MISSLE to Zaccheaus. Big time throw. pic.twitter.com/3MGQoXydJt
— Ficky (@itsfickybaby) July 31, 2025Thursday’s practice was highly encouraging. Still, I’d like to offer the same caution I’ve provided on the worst practices during camp: It’s one day. It was one auspicious day, but one day nonetheless.
Let’s see if Williams and the offense can begin to string these days together as we approach the preseason opener against the Dolphins next Sunday.
Other Bears Training Camp News and Notes
I always joke that being a Bears fan comes with a never-ending fear of third-and-long, a down that no previous coaching staff could master. According to the Tribune’s Brad Biggs (via Twitter/X), the Bears faced a 3rd-and-14 during today’s team period with the starters on the field, and Johnson managed to scheme DJ Moore into a matchup with linebacker TJ Edwards, giving the offense a clear advantage. I’ll be ecstatic if Ben Johnson can scheme the offense into similar situations in the regular season. Long snapper Scott Daly was carted off the field toward the end of practice, and running back Deion Hankins left practice early. (Biggs) X’s and O’s: There were a considerable number of deep crossing routes on display today, which is a promising sight, and a wrinkle from Johnson’s offense in Detroit. Center Ricky Stromberg has a concussion. Guard Jonah Jackson is still dealing with a leg injury and is considered day-to-day. (Jahns) After practice wrapped, Burden was asked about being pulled from a rep by Johnson earlier this week: “I feel like I’ve got to know my stuff. [Johnson] holds everybody to a high standard here. It’s great for us, great for the team, and that’s the standard here.”Luther Burden on Ben calling out his mistakes: “I gotta be on my stuff.” pic.twitter.com/XgIUuELrO4
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) July 31, 2025 More to come from me on Luther Burden III’s big day later today. May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III warms up during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesHence then, the article about bears training camp notes williams and burden wow as offense takes a giant step forward was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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