Caleb Williams Watch: How Bears QB fared on Day 12 of training camp

The Chicago Bears returned to the practice field on Sunday for their 12th workout of the summer, and there was plenty to break down from Day 12.

Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was selected with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, where the expectation is he'll be able to rewrite the Bears' tortured QB history. Unlike rookie quarterbacks of Chicago past, Williams won't be forced to sit as QB2 behind a veteran. Williams was drafted to be a starter on Day 1, and he's going to see additional valuable reps with the first-team offense during training camp, which will only benefit him heading into Week 1 of the regular season.

We’re taking a look at the good, the bad and the noteworthy with Williams from the 12th practice of Bears training camp:

The Good

It was an overall rough day for the offense, due to offensive line issues, but Williams was once again solid during the 7-on-7 period, which included completions to receiver Keenan Allen and running back D'Andre Swift. But the play of the day was Williams connecting with receiver DJ Moore for a 35-yard touchdown, where the newly-extended receiver made a diving catch in stride with cornerback Terell Smith in coverage. It's clear that Williams and Moore are developing chemistry and the pair could be a playmaking duo for the foreseeable future.

The Bad

While the offense was solid during 7-on-7, things changed when the linemen were added to the mix during 11-on-11, where Williams was under pressure often. The starting offense had a rough close to practice during the two-minute drill, which started with a "sack," fumbled snap and run by Roschon Johnson. According to Courtney Cronin, coach Matt Eberflus made the offense do the drill again. On the ensuing drill, things got off to a quick start as Williams connected with receiver DJ Moore for a first down. But the next plays consisted of a "sack" (where Williams scrambled and was ruled down), a pass breakup by linebacker T.J. Edwards and an incomplete pass intended for receiver Keenan Allen. But it's worth noting that the offensive line was down to just one starter, which certainly puts Williams' status for Saturday's preseason game in jeopardy.

The Noteworthy

Injuries are starting to pile up for the Bears, most notably along the offensive line. While it's only early August, it's hard not to be concerned with the health and depth of the offensive line with a rookie quarterback stepping into the fray. According to Josh Schrock, defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and edge rushers Austin Booker and DeMarcus Walker were standouts on Sunday against Chicago's injury-riddled offensive line, where left tackle Braxton Jones was the only starting offensive line participating in team drills. Here's what the offensive line looked like: LT Jones, LG Jerome Carvin, C Ryan Bates (currently in a competition for the starting center job), RG Bill Murray, and RT Matt Pryor. Ja'Tyre Carter also saw some reps at left guard. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson said the defense is preparing Williams for what he'll face in Week 1 and beyond.

“He’s just going to keep growing," Johnson said after practice. "I feel like at the end of the day he knows again how … I feel like he knows the time we have until Week 1, but he’s also having a sense of urgency with it as well. I mean, again, for us, it’s just about making it challenging on him. Allowing him to grow against a good defense, not just grow within the offense and learn the offense, but also feeling that level of competition as well and getting all that at the same time.

"I think for us, that’s part of our job, to try to prepare him whether it’s trash talk, whether it’s giving different looks, whether it’s being in tight windows, tight coverage, whatever it may be, I feel like we’re trying to give him everything that he’s going to see on Sunday and I feel like he’s responded well. Just got to keep going.”

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Caleb Williams Watch: How Bears QB fared on Day 12 of training camp