From Caleb Williams to ‘Hard Knocks’: 10 Bears questions entering training camp

Summer vacation ends this weekend.

The Chicago Bears will have their first team practice for training camp on Saturday at Halas Hall. And then 12 days after that, they play the Houston Texans in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

The days are long, but the weeks feel short for NFL teams this time of year, especially if you’re opening the preseason.

With that in mind, here are 10 questions to consider as coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles open their third camp together — but their first with quarterback Caleb Williams.

1. How soon will Caleb Williams challenge the Bears defense?

The story throughout training camp can’t be “the defense is ahead of the offense.” We’ve heard that too much in regard to the Bears. Eberflus’ defense has the potential to be a top-10 unit. Williams, though, needs to pass some of the tests it poses. The defense can’t hit Williams, but the rush will be closer to him in camp than during the offseason program.

2. Will there be signs that Shane Waldron is a better offensive coordinator and play caller than Luke Getsy?

Everyone is still learning what Waldron wants to do. That was apparent in camp when players had to be corrected before snaps. There surely was more to correct after the practice film was reviewed.

But Waldron’s offense should be different than Getsy’s because the Bears’ personnel is different. It starts with Williams, who showed in the spring that he could throw with some anticipation as a rookie. Getsy often talked about being a run-first, assert-your-will type of offense with quarterback Justin Fields. The Bears still want to run the ball, but Waldron’s offense should run through Williams.

3. What will the Bears’ starting offensive line look like by September?

There are so many follow-up questions. Can Teven Jenkins stay healthy? Will Nate Davis be the lineman the Bears believed they signed? Is Coleman Shelton the better answer at center? Can Ryan Bates be a full-time starter? Will third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie push for playing time as a rookie?

Bears guard Teven Jenkins is an offensive lineman to watch in camp this summer. (Kamil Krzaczynski / USA Today)

Forming connections with Moore, Allen and Odunze will be crucial for Williams. The Bears also want him to test different throwing windows at this level. It will help to face the Bears’ talented and boisterous secondary. But there’s only one ball to go around. Tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett and running back D’Andre Swift will also get their catches.

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5. How concerned are the Bears about their pass rush?

The best drills in camp are often between the offensive and defensive linemen. It’s the closest you get to game-like reps in practice, especially when it comes to the pass rush. If offensive tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright have their way with DeMarcus Walker, Dominique Robinson and rookie Austin Booker, it could be time to call Yannick Ngakoue.

6. Is Gervon Dexter really the answer at three-technique defensive tackle?

Dexter’s development is part of the pass-rush question. He needs to become what Eberflus calls the engine of his defense. The team didn’t sign a replacement for Justin Jones. It’s a sign that Eberflus and Poles believe in Dexter and Zacch Pickens. Both players have to quickly become difference-makers in their second seasons.

7. Is the Bears’ secondary really on the verge of being one of the league’s best?

The signs and the swagger are there. The Bears have young players who should be expected to improve and to play confidently every moment they’re on the field. The Bears will challenge cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard and nickelback Kyler Gordon to be consistent in camp. Byard didn’t need time to transition to the Bears defense. His veteran presence was respected immediately.

Cornerback Jaylon Johnson leads a talented Bears secondary. Remember, he’ll be wearing No. 1 this year. (David Berding / Getty Images)

8. How will the new kickoff rule affect roster decisions?

Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower hinted at this during the offseason program. Everything is an experiment at the moment. The preseason games will be critical to figuring it out. But tight ends who can block and linebackers who can rush could have the edge because matchups have to be won in a condensed space.

9. How well will the Bears match up against the Bengals?

The Bears and Bengals will practice together Aug. 15 at Halas Hall. Joe Burrow and company didn’t advance to the playoffs last season. But he’s still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The energy at practice should be intense. How well the Bears handle Burrow, receiver Ja’Marr Chase and defensive end Trey Hendrickson could be revealing.

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10. How many new storylines will emerge from ‘Hard Knocks’?

HBO and NFL Films already provided a tease of what’s ahead through their offseason version of the show with the New York Giants when the team’s pre-draft meetings with Williams and Odunze were featured. Both players should get plenty of airtime this summer.

(Top photo: Kamil Krzaczynski / USA Today)