While NFL coaches value joint practices because it gives them an opportunity to have a controlled look at their team going up against a different team in a non-game setting, there is an opportunity for fans to see what they feel is for their team from an outsider's perspective.
Chicagi Bears fans are no stranger to this lesson. The Bears held a joint practice during their 2021 Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins, and the notable takeaway was a Dolphins' beat writer being critical of Justin Fields' inability to throw on time and with anticipation. Little did ears fans know at the time that the assessment of Fields during that joint practice would ultimately be the reason why was unable to live up to the call of being the franchise quarterback of the Bears.
Fast forward to 2024 and the Bears concluded a joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday. Outside of the Bears' defense making light work of Bengals' quarterback Joe Burrow, Bengals' beat reporters came away with a warning to the rest of the NFL--Caleb Williams is here.
“I could not have been more impressed with how Caleb Williams looked, & you look at his receiving corps and you’re reminded of who they could be this year with Rome Odunze the rookie, Keenan Allen, DJ Moore,” Rauch said. “Allen and Moore gave the Bengal DBs trouble all day long.” https://t.co/2RpLtSkCPi
— Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. (@wiltfongjr) August 16, 2024
This is a very different feeling from what Bears fans had after hearing the reports of how Fields looked against the Dolphins in 2021. Not only did Williams look the part on Thursday, but he also threw touchdown passes to DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze.
Pick your poison 😈 pic.twitter.com/dL0YpDuH3E
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 15, 2024
While Burrow was busy throwing interception after interception against the Bears defense, Williams was carving up the Bengals' defense. What will be interesting to see is how Williams looks on Saturday. Now that the Bengals' defense got a look at Williams and the Bears' offense on Thursday, it will be curious to see if there is any adjustment on Saturday when the teams play their exhibition game. If Williams thrives, then it's only further proof that the Bears have an answer at the quarterback position.