Bears News: Waldron gives update on Williams, center competition, WR room |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has started his first training camp with the Chicago Bears. One priority for Waldron is determining who the starting center will be.
Both Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton are highly qualified for the job and both have helped rookie quarterback Caleb Williams develop in the offensive scheme. “We have two guys that are just great pros, that have a great overall understanding of it. So, Caleb (Williams)’s got great comfort level with either or right there. He’s at that point of the learning process where he’s worried about his own area right there and as he grows and continues to learn the offense and the system, he’ll have input as we go, I’m sure,” Waldron said. “But, right now, I know both of those guys have been a good help to him with their professional approach and their ability to communicate.” Williams is ahead of the game compared to most rookie quarterbacks. The Heisman-winning quarterback has displayed elite talent for years, but made sure to put that talent to use by becoming familiar with the playbook and the players around him. For Waldron, he is learning Williams’ strengths and weaknesses, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of everyone else on the team. “I think his ability to change his arm angle, get the ball out quick, adjust to different throws in those whether they’re bubbles or slants, quick game, all that area of the field,” Waldron said. “It’s something that he demonstrated at a high level of ability in college and something that has been part of every offense that you’re a part of and as we get through it and we’ll learn our different players strengths and weaknesses and build the system around our players and what they can do.” One debate with any quarterback, particularly rookie quarterbacks, is whether or not to start them in the preseason and if so, how many snaps they should play. Chicago has an additional preseason game because they will be playing in the Hall of Fame on Thurs. Aug. 1 against the Houston Texans (7 p.m./ABC). Waldron confirmed Williams will be playing in the preseason, but did not give any indication about how many snaps he may play or whether he will be in the Hall of Fame game. “We’ll play him in the preseason. I think it’s important to get out there and have an understanding of what an NFL game’s like, all the nuances from the officials to where the shot clock is, the hashes, playing all those stuff in a new stadium, different stadiums. So, I think adjusting to that and getting around his guys,” Waldron said. “But then in terms of the reps, we’ll have a plan for that and we’ll keep that in-house for what we’re doing with all of our guys. But, there’ll be a plan in place and we’ll get to those reps where we feel like he’s at a point where he’s comfortable and ready to go for the regular season.” It is also unknown how much his receivers will be playing in the preseason. Veterans Keenan Allen and DJ Moore do not necessarily need to play in the preseason, but it could help them to build chemistry with Williams. Rookie receiver Rome Odunze will most likely be seeing some preseason action. The All-American receiver was not available for the first day of training camp, but was available on the second day of training camp. “It’s great to have Rome back out there, working his way back into it. He already got a bonus with the way he worked in OTAs, the way he was initially here. So, I think he’s a guy that picks up right where he leaves off every single time. Getting a little bit better from (the) time off to getting back here with his knowledge of what we’re doing and then now getting back out here and also knowing that training camp is a long period of time, especially for these rookies,” Waldron said. “So, with all of our guys being smart with them and adjusting to the individual needs of the players, I think, is important. So, each day there’s going to be different plans and with the rep counts or whatever it is with that ultimate goal of putting them in the best position to show off their talents (this) time of year.” Chicago drafted a wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft as well. In the fourth round with the No. 133 overall pick, the Bears selected receiver Tyler Scott out of Cincinnati. Scott did not see the field much during his rookie campaign with a total of 17 receptions for 168 yards. He has yet to catch a touchdown in the NFL. With the wide receiver room now stacked, Scott is someone who is going to have to prove himself to stay on the roster. “Since I’ve been around Tyler, he’s put his head down and worked hard. You see his twitchiness, his speed that he can use to get into the defense. He’s done a great job as far as his knowledge of the playbook and the system, transitioning from one offense to the next this year,” Waldron said. “So, I think he just keeps going out and competing every single day and he’s right in the mix and making some nice plays in practice and ready to go and he’ll have his shot.”
