Bears News: Edwards on Swift's dynamic playmaking ability, Dexter's confidence in camp |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - Outside linebacker TJ Edwards is going into his second season with the Chicago Bears.
While the players have not changed much, he is now working with a new defensive coordinator in Eric Washington. “The way he’s come in and I feel like Coach Washington’s a guy who demands respect, and he’ll give his as well. He’ll give his to others. But, he’s been just transparent with us from the start. I think that’s big time. I think it’s something that we really appreciate as men in general, and he’s come in and (taken) the reins of the group and kind of giving us the keys in a way, too,” Edwards said. “I thought he’s done a great job of just handling everything and organizing everything and making sure that we know he’s got our back and things like that. So, he’s been great for us.” Last season, Edwards arguably had his best season with 155 total tackles and three interceptions, his first season with multiple interceptions. He also had his second season in a row with at least 90 solo tackles. Edwards will be looking to build on that season this year and with the improved offensive competition that he is going against in training camp with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the playmakers surrounding him, Edwards is certainly on track for another strong season. “We’re going to always look at it as a competition just because that’s how we operate. But, we’re very critical when things are wrong. When they beat us, we’re critical of it. We want to hold ourselves to that standard to get it fixed,” Edwards said. “But, that’s a good offense. So, it’s going to be a battle every single day. But, that’s how we like it. In terms of score and all that, we’ll talk some crap to them mid-practice. But, after that, it’s just how we can get better from it.” There are high hopes for Heisman winner Caleb Williams who the Bears selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Chicago has a dismal history of quarterbacks overall, but there is a hope that Williams can change that for the Bears. So far in training camp, Edwards is already seeing signs that Williams will live up to the hype and be the guy Chicago has been looking for. “The throws that he makes out of the pocket and some of the ones in those critical situations that we practice that he makes, as a defense, when you’re out there, you hate to see it, and then you look back at film, you’re like, ‘Alright, that’s a pretty good ball.’ We’re happy to see that,” Edwards said. One of the playmakers the Bears brought in this offseason was running back D’Andre Swift. He had his first Pro Bowl season last year with the Philadelphia Eagles despite a drop in his receiving yards and touchdowns. The Bears should use his dynamic abilities better. Training camp has already shown Swift’s receiving potential, and Edwards has taken note of it, as well as the talent of some of the other running backs on the roster. “He’s damn near (a) receiver. It’s really good for us, though. I think, just coming off of last year, that’s something we wanted to improve on and again, we do one-on-ones everyday we’re in pads,” Edwards said. “So, being able to go against him and (Khalil Herbert) and Roschon (Johnson) and all those guys, I think it’s a really good group and it really helps us. He’s dynamic. He’s quick, and he has really good hands, too. So, he makes it tough on you for sure.” Defensively, the Bears did not make many additions. On the defensive line, they opted to put their trust in second-year player Gervon Dexter to take the sophomore leap and be a dominant player on the defensive line. According to Edwards, Dexter’s confidence has grown and it shows on the field. “I think he’s just been confident in what he’s doing. You can really feel it,” Edwards said. “He wants to make his presence known and even just with batting the ball down this year, he stood out in camp every single day. It feels like he’s batting a couple of passes down, and that’s huge. That’s where turnovers come. So, he’s definitely shown up, ready to go.”
