Bears News: Brown on how Williams can take fewer sacks, getting Kmet more involved |
CHICAGO - After the first six weeks of the season, it seemed that by the time the final game of the regular season came around, Chicago may be in contention for a playoff spot. Instead, they are on their second head coach and third offensive coordinator of the season and have not won a game since coming off the bye week.
Sacks have been one of the major problems this year. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has been sacked 67 times, the most in franchise history and the fourth-most in NFL history. The Bears still have one game remaining—their season finale against the Green Bay Packers this Sunday (Noon / FOX). While the offensive line has taken a lot of heat for the sacks, interim head coach Thomas Brown said a lot of that is also on Williams because he needs to improve his pre-snap and post-snap reads. “Pre-snap mechanics when it comes to understanding potential pressure threats but also mastery of what happens post-snap. Obviously, I have a reaction to how they played out coverage-wise and what pressures they bring, but I also understand where all (the) quick element throws are if we have an opportunity for that,” Brown said. “I think at times as well, understanding how to maintain proper pocket integrity, so being able to hitch in place and not run yourself into a potential sack. But, it’s an all-11 problem.” Another issue has been tight end Cole Kmet's lack of involvement. He is on track to finish with his lowest target total and receiving yards since his rookie season in 2020. In addition, Kmet will most likely have his lowest touchdown total since 2021, the only year he has not recorded a touchdown. His low numbers are quite bizarre when considering how much Kmet has been in the passing game since 2021 and as he has a catch percentage over 80 percent in each of the last two seasons. This year, there have been three games where Kmet was not targeted, two of them while Brown was the offensive playcaller. However, Brown acknowledged he needs to design plays to get the ball in Kmet’s hands. “Being able to find ways to have (designed) plays where the ball goes to Cole specifically, but it’s also depending on the coverage,” Brown said. “I got to do a better job of trying to find ways to get him involved.” On the injury front, five players were unable to participate - offensive lineman Larry Borom (illness), safety Elijah Hicks (ankle and foot), running back Travis Homer (hamstring), offensive lineman Teven Jenkins (calf) and rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze (illness). Odunze is one of nine offensive players to play in every game for the Bears this season and is third in receiving yards for Chicago. While Brown did not speak about the injuries to Hicks, Homer or Jenkins, he did say that he expects Borom and Odunze “to be back and be good to go.” Odunze is one of the building blocks in rebuilding the Chicago Bears. The rebuilding process was supposed to be over this season, but that clearly is not the case. Chicago may have a culture problem. Brown believes it will be important for the Bears to build a culture with the right people in Halas Hall. “Culture’s about the people. So, get the right people in the building, build with that, and obviously hold yourself to a high standard and be accountable, but also that’s from a collective shared standpoint as far as how the entire organization runs,” Brown said. “It’s got to be every man, every woman to themself as far as being at their best every single day.”
