Caleb Williams' backup, position battles, edge help and 2024 expectations: Bears mailbag (2024)

We’re only two weeks away from the Chicago Bears’ rookies reporting to Halas Hall for their first NFL training camp.

This is still quiet time in the NFL, but the build-up to Bears camp is underway, one that is setting up to be the most intriguing in recent memory.

There aren’t a lot of position battles to dissect. There aren’t many spots open for the 53-man roster. But there are a lot of fans wondering about how the team can get better, and how good Caleb Williams and company can be.

Now, on to your questions.

Do they sign pass-rush help before training camp or see what they have then about a week in camp to bring someone in? — Steven G.

The week before training camp tends to be a common time for veteran free agents to sign. Those players didn’t have to do OTAs and minicamp but will want to start from Day 1 with a new playbook. But as you mentioned, it could also happen a week in, like when the Bears signed Yannick Ngakoue last season.

I imagine general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus don’t need a full week of camp to know they could use another D-lineman who can get to the passer. Ngakoue is still available and knows the system. Emmanuel Ogbah is also a free agent. Jerry Hughes, 35, who played for Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington in Buffalo, could be an option for a season. And I also wouldn’t rule out another three-technique joining the rotation at some point. There isn’t a lot of depth on the interior.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, @YannickNgakoue 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ksOfjBsiEj

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 13, 2023

Hey Fishman, it’s the season of blind optimism for me. You’re more pragmatic. What’s a realistic record to expect for the Bears? — Bear B.

I’ve got no problem with blind optimism. It’s OK to feel excited about the 2024 Bears. I’m sticking with a record prediction of 9-8, a two-win improvement from last season. That could put them on the path to being a serious contender for a deep playoff run in 2025, especially if Williams looks the part. As I wrote in April and have referenced often, only three rookie quarterbacks picked Nos. 1 or 2 of the 15 since 2011 made the playoffs. Only one, Andrew Luck, won more than nine games.

As electric as C.J. Stroud was as a rookie, he finished with nine wins. Williams has a better supporting cast than most if not all of those who came before him as top picks, but it’s not easy for rookie QBs.

Building something special 🏗️

See Also

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— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 7, 2024

Hey Kevin, what training camp competitions are you excited to see play out? Last year we had one at corner with Tyrique Stevenson and Terell Smith, maybe this year we could have a real impact starter emerge at center? Or does Kiran Amegadjie start putting more pressure on Braxton Jones? Should be plenty of competition across the board. — Benjamin T.

Center will be the main position battle to watch. We saw Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton play center with the starters during the spring. Could another veteran be added there? Does Doug Kramer have a shot? I’d still lean Bates, but his ability to play guard might also come into play if Nate Davis isn’t fully ready to go.

Poles was open about not expecting Amegadjie to necessarily push for starting time as a rookie, and having missed all of the spring, it’d be stunning for him to push Jones this summer.

If another pass rusher signs, he might battle DeMarcus Walker for reps opposite Montez Sweat. Otherwise, the starting spots on defense are set, it’ll be about who fills out the 53.

If the Bears lose any of their top three receivers to injury for an extended period this season, has anyone in the receiver room stood out to you as the best candidate to contribute and pick up slack in their absence? — Jack M.

As good as the Bears’ top three are at wide receiver, there’s quite the drop-off. Tyler Scott missed some time in minicamp, as did Dante Pettis and Collin Johnson. Velus Jones’ inconsistencies have been well publicized, though he had a solid spring. I am interested to see how Scott looks in training camp — as a Year 2 player, he’s a candidate for significant improvement.

.@TheTylerScott up the sideline for 30! pic.twitter.com/NMWKBR7PRx

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 17, 2023

I’d expect the No. 4 wideout to be Scott, which could work out nicely if he can use his speed and be more of a weapon than his rookie season. It’s not like many teams boast strong No. 4/5 receivers, but the Bears’ options combined for 22 receptions in 2023.

If the Bears underperform this year, do you think it would be more likely due to OL depth or lack of an explosive pass rush? — Scott P.

The depth of the offensive line isn’t as concerning to me as the starting five. The Bears have better depth up front than they’ve had in recent years. But between the two lines, the O-line would be more likely to cause an underperformance. The last thing a rookie quarterback needs is to be constantly having to run around and create, or speed up his internal clock because of leaks in front of him. Timing and rhythm will falter if the O-line is having issues. The defense won’t go far without an explosive pass rush, but at least the back seven is one of the best in the league.

Fish — are the Bears really planning on not signing a vet QB for Caleb? — Steven K.

I’m not sure what they’re planning — but boy, would it be nice if they filled me in! There are two things desired from a backup quarterback when a rookie is the starter, being a mentor while also being able to step in and run the offense in case of injury. Though Tyson Bagent might not be the one to show Williams “how to be a pro,” the Bears have Brett Rypien for that, along with offensive assistant Ryan Griffin, who was a backup from 2013 to 2022, including years behind Drew Brees and Tom Brady. I’m not sure why Williams necessarily needs more than that, or someone with more starting experience, to play that role.

Threading the needle 🪡 pic.twitter.com/tTuE8cCGc1

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 6, 2024

As far as talent, the Bears like Bagent. He proved himself capable last season, winning two games. There might be quarterbacks out there (see: Tannehill, Ryan) who would be better at leading the offense if needed, but the Bears can go that route if an injury occurred. A veteran quarterback who still wants to be a starter in the league might not fit as the best No. 2 to the top pick in the draft.

Will the Bears be a passing team rather than a running team now that they finally have an NFL set of receivers for the first time since … ever? Shouldn’t the Bears finally cross 4,000 yards for a passer and 30 TD throws in a season? It would be a surprise, as the Bears have run the ball more than most of the NFL because they … ran an offense 20 years behind everyone else since 1995. — Andrew S.

The 2013 Bears are the benchmark for the franchise. Jay Cutler and Josh McCown combined to throw for 4,450 yards and 32 touchdowns that season for the league’s second-highest-scoring offense. The skill players then (Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Earl Bennett, Martellus Bennett, Matt Forte) combined for 360 receptions.

For context, last year, DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, Darnell Mooney, Roschon Johnson and Scott combined for 251 catches.

The extra game helps all counting stats, but yes, with Williams at quarterback and Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Kmet, Gerald Everett and D’Andre Swift, this passing offense should be one of the better ones in Bears history — low bar, but your comparison is 2013.

I also included this question because a few people asked about goals for Williams. Stroud threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. A 4,000-yard, 30-touchdown season might be lofty for any rookie quarterback. It might not happen this year, but if Williams stays healthy and is who everyone believes he can be, it should be a regular occurrence.

Does Larry Borom still have a track to make the 53? Matt Pryor doesn’t seem like much of an upgrade. What does it say about the line depth either way? — Nathan M.

Borom has proved to be a valuable backup over the past three seasons, showing he can step in at either tackle spot and even guard in a pinch. In the final year of his rookie contract, Borom earned the “proven performance escalator” for his playing time, which means he’ll make more than $3 million this season.

Though the Bears can certainly fit that contract under the cap, would they rather roll with Pryor, who has similar versatility and is making just north of $1 million, and Amegadjie as the backup tackles? It’ll be one of the roster battles to watch this summer. Former Seattle Seahawk Jake Curhan will also be in the mix for a swing tackle spot.

I don’t know necessarily who is the “best” of those tackles, but Borom costs the most, which could hinder his chances to be a Bear if the others play well in July and August. At a minimum, there should be better depth behind Jones and Darnell Wright this year.

How are the Bears positioned to adapt to the new kickoff rules in relation to the other teams in the division/league? I know it has been discussed, but is there a realistic chance Tory Taylor handles kickoffs? — Ben B.

This will be one of the biggest storylines of the preseason and the regular season throughout the league. It’s brand new and no one really knows what to expect. The Bears have a few things going for them — special teams coordinator Richard Hightower was in the meetings with the league to implement the new rule, Eberflus does not minimize special teams, and the Bears have some good kicking and return options.

Jones is one of the best kickoff returners in the league and, if he has that role, will get more opportunities. Khalil Herbert has done it at a high level before, as has DeAndre Carter, who was signed last week. As you mentioned, Taylor gives Hightower some options, along with Cairo Santos, to be creative with kickoffs.

(Photo of Tyson Bagent: Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune / Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Kevin Fishbain is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Chicago Bears. He spent the 2013-16 seasons on the Bears beat for Shaw Media publications, including the Northwest Herald, Daily Chronicle and Joliet Herald-News. Previously, he covered the NFL from 2010 to 2012 for Pro Football Weekly. Follow Kevin on Twitter @kfishbain