A video surfaced showing Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams visibly frustrated after struggling with his accuracy during a throwing drill at training camp. Despite the display of emotion, Bears general manager Ryan Poles expressed no concerns, emphasizing that such reactions are a natural part of development. The ongoing adjustments by Williams in the new system remain a key story the Bears are closely monitoring.
Ryan Poles Addresses Caleb Williams’ Learning Curve and Embracing the Process
When asked about the clip circulating on social media showing Williams’ struggles, Ryan Poles downplayed the notion of a crisis, instead framing it as a normal step in growth. He said,
“I actually think it’s pretty cool,”
and added,
“I knew there was a bad practice. I’ve seen clips on Twitter. I didn’t know it was a national crisis of Caleb struggling.”
Poles acknowledged the high expectations for Williams but stressed the importance of patience as he learns the system from new head coach Ben Johnson.
Caleb Williams Focuses on Retention and Execution Under New Head Coach Ben Johnson
Williams discussed his efforts to absorb the extensive information being provided in offseason programs and training camp, showing commitment to improving his performance. He explained,
“They’ve installed a lot — OTAs, now,”
and added,
“I take pride in trying to retain it all, every single detail that we have. I think that’s where I’ve been growing so far since Ben’s been here is retaining all of the information, all of it makes sense to me and being able to go out there and execute. Obviously, there’s going to be mistakes, but being able to understand that it was a mistake by me or we lined up wrong — whatever the case may be — getting back in the huddle, calling it right, getting back out there, doing it, executing, being a player-led team [is what’s important].”
General Manager Praises Defensive Coordinator and Sets Realistic Expectations
Poles also highlighted the challenges Williams faces, noting that mastering a new offensive scheme will not happen overnight. At the same time, he credited defensive coordinator Dennis Allen for implementing a demanding defense during camp that requires several adjustments from the offense. Poles commented,
“I think as a human being, I want it to happen super fast, and I would love for it to look really clean and for [Williams] to look like a fifth-year vet right now,”
but he added,
“But I think, just being in this long enough, what’s reality, though? It’s going to take time. It’s new. A new defense is going to jump out faster. It always does.”
He explained that Allen’s man coverage scheme is difficult to face and that the early struggles in camp are expected, pointing to these challenges as beneficial preparation.
“You want this time to look, be as hard as possible. And then when you get to game time when the lights come on, you want that to then slow down.”
Injury Updates and Other NFL Camp News Highlight Player Development Across Teams
Beyond the Bears, other teams are managing player progress and injuries during training camp. The Green Bay Packers declined linebacker Quay Walker’s fifth-year option for 2025, making him an unrestricted free agent after the upcoming season. Walker expressed a calm mindset about the situation, stating,
“I ain’t really gotta prove nothing,”
and,
“I just gotta prove myself right.”
Although seeking a long-term extension, he acknowledged,
“Of course, but it’s out of my hands.”
Walker is recovering from ankle surgery and has been unable to participate in 11-on-11 drills, instead focusing on studying defensive plays from the sidelines.
Athletic reporter Matt Schneidman noted that Packers safety Xavier McKinney likely will miss the remainder of the preseason due to a lingering calf injury but expects to be ready for the season opener.
Vikings’ Young Quarterback and Defensive Players Advance Their Skills
In Minnesota, Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy spoke about adapting to the physical demands of his first full training camp, learning to balance when to slide or run through contact in live game situations. He said,
“There’s a time and place really for me when I put a shoulder down or when I slide,”
and continued,
“And there’s a lot more times when I’ll be sliding. It’s just adapting with the game, adapting to when the rush lanes are happening, how contained they are. But it’s definitely a huge part of my game that I’ll definitely utilize.”
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell also praised linebacker Jonathan Greenard for becoming more comfortable in his second year in the defensive system, stating,
“I think now he’s comfortable. He knows exactly what our scheme is. I think you’re seeing that across the board with our defense right now.”
Weight of Training Camp Battles Reflects on Upcoming Season Prospects
The struggles and growth experienced by players like Caleb Williams and others across the league highlight the tension and intensity inherent in NFL training camps. Each team is navigating roster developments, new coaching schemes, and player health to prepare for the regular season. For Williams, the process includes managing frustration and learning to execute his new offense effectively under pressure, with leadership from Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson encouraging patience and resilience.
The rigorous preparation seen across the NFL is crucial for teams to find cohesion and readiness before the games begin, and while setbacks and challenges are expected, their handling often forecasts success during the season.