Caleb Williams flashes major progress before Bears’ showdown with Joe Burrow, Bengals

Caleb Williams appears ready for his next test. The Chicago Bears quarterback delivered an encouraging performance during Wednesday’s abbreviated practice at Halas Hall, flashing improved command and connecting with Rome Odunze for a pair of red-zone touchdowns.

Chicago’s final practice before traveling to Cincinnati lasted only 45 minutes, but Williams made the most of it. The Bears will participate in a joint practice with the Bengals on Thursday before the teams meet in a preseason game Saturday at Paycor Stadium.

The matchup should provide a considerably greater challenge than Chicago faced during its 34-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the preseason opener. Cincinnati features Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and one of the NFL’s most dangerous offensive attacks. The joint session also will give Williams an opportunity to measure his development against one of the league’s elite quarterbacks.

Caleb Williams delivers during Bears red-zone practice

The Bears emphasized red-zone execution Wednesday, and Williams produced immediate results. Williams connected with Odunze for back-to-back touchdowns during a seven-on-seven period, according to the Daily Herald’s Phil Thompson. The quarterbacks later continued working on throws near the back of the end zone while special teams drills took place on another field.

One of Williams’ most impressive passes came on a fadeaway throw to Odunze near the back-left pylon. The play reportedly resembled his memorable fourth-down touchdown pass to Cole Kmet during Chicago’s divisional-round game against the Los Angeles Rams, though it came from a much shorter distance.

Williams did not complete every throw cleanly. Rookie safety Dillon Thieneman intercepted him during a team period from the 2-yard line after the quarterback attempted to move away from covered targets on the left side. The overall performance still offered another sign that Williams is becoming more comfortable in head coach Ben Johnson’s offense.

“Caleb’s understanding of the offense, command of the huddle, his communication, you’ve seen all of that improve,” defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said, per the Daily Herald.

“And then to go along with that, you see him getting through progressions and getting to the right spots.”

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Bears face significant challenge against Bengals

Allen compared Williams’ development to the stock market. Progress will not occur in a perfectly straight line, but the Bears believe their quarterback continues trending in the right direction.

“I’ve seen a lot of growth out of him,” Allen said.

That progress will be tested against Cincinnati.

Allen called Burrow an “MVP-caliber quarterback” and offered similar praise for Chase. He also highlighted Higgins, running back Chase Brown and tight end Mike Gesicki while noting that all five of Cincinnati’s starting offensive linemen are returning.

“It’ll be a great test for us,” Allen said. “I’m just looking for us to go out there and compete and see where we stack up against what I think is probably going to be one of the better offenses in our league.”

The joint practice also will be valuable for Odunze, who admitted he studies Chase and Higgins. Odunze particularly praised Higgins’ movement skills and ability to win contested catches despite his 6-foot-4 frame.

Odunze’s own health provided another encouraging development. Wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El said the foot issue that affected Odunze last season has not limited him during camp.

“He’s been running smooth, getting out of his routes and doing everything we’ve asked him to do,” Randle El said.

The Bears will not measure Williams’ progress by one practice in August. His command, decision-making and production in the red zone nevertheless offered exactly the type of final tune-up Chicago wanted before facing Burrow and the Bengals.

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