The Chicago Bears entered training camp with high hopes for their No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and rookie head coach Ben Johnson. But after another rocky joint practice — this time against the Buffalo Bills in Lake Forest — those hopes are being tested under the sweltering Midwest sun.

What should have been a routine workout instead highlighted glaring weaknesses in Chicago’s offense, most notably the continued struggles of Williams. With only 23 days before the regular season kicks off, Johnson’s challenge to “fix” his young quarterback looks steeper than ever.

False Starts and Familiar Mistakes

The most alarming takeaway? Chicago’s offense simply couldn’t get going. By one reporter’s count, the Bears committed six false start penalties, four with the first-team unit, despite little external noise. The same cadence issues plagued Williams last season when Chicago ranked near the top of the league in pre-snap infractions.

Even when the ball was snapped cleanly, Buffalo’s revamped defensive line overwhelmed the Bears’ tackles. Veterans Joey Bosa and Gregory Rousseau routinely collapsed the pocket, while rookies Landon Jackson, DeWayne Carter, and TJ Sanders flashed disruptive potential.

Had contact been allowed, Williams might have been sacked half a dozen times — an all-too-familiar sight after his league-leading 68 sacks taken in 2024.

Holding the Ball Too Long

Johnson was hired in part to help Williams improve his decision-making. But in Friday’s practice, the quarterback frequently held onto the ball too long, missing open receivers while waiting for plays to develop.

This echoes a troubling rookie trend: Williams averaged 2.4 seconds per dropback yet still posted one of the NFL’s highest bad-throw percentages (21.1%). Combine that with Chicago’s shaky tackle play, and the result is an offense that looks far from ready.

Perhaps most concerning was the team’s lack of urgency when Bosa pushed Williams late in a drill — the kind of moment that usually sparks a bench-clearing fight. Instead, Bears players simply shrugged, underscoring a leadership void that Johnson must address.

Bright Spot: Rome Odunze Rising

Despite the offensive struggles, second-year receiver Rome Odunze gave Bears fans a reason to believe. The 6’3” Washington product showcased his athleticism with a leaping grab in 7-on-7s, followed by a crisp touchdown route against veteran Tre’Davious White in red-zone work.

Odunze’s rookie campaign (54 catches, 734 yards, 3 TDs) hinted at his potential, but with Keenan Allen now in Los Angeles, Odunze is poised to step into the No. 2 role behind DJ Moore II. His performance Friday proved he’s more than capable.

Rookie to Watch: Luther Burden III

Chicago’s offense also got a spark from Luther Burden III, the Bears’ second-round pick out of Missouri. Burden made several contested grabs, including a highlight catch between two defenders that drew cheers from the crowd.

At 6’0”, 210 pounds, Burden profiles as a physical slot weapon. While his final college season was underwhelming (676 yards, 3 TDs), his 2023 campaign (1,212 yards, 9 TDs) showed the ceiling Chicago hopes to unlock. If Odunze and Moore draw coverage outside, Burden could thrive underneath.

Bills Bring the Heat

Buffalo, meanwhile, looked like a team with championship ambitions. Linebacker Terrel Bernard delivered the hit of the day, jarring the ball loose from rookie tight end Colston Loveland near the goal line. Bernard’s all-around game (7.5 sacks, 5 INTs over two seasons) continues to make him one of the NFL’s most underrated defenders.

The Bills also debuted their prized offseason addition: Joey Bosa. Signed to a one-year, $13 million prove-it deal, the five-time Pro Bowler reminded everyone why he was once considered the AFC’s premier pass rusher. Bosa’s blend of power and speed consistently embarrassed Chicago’s left tackles, earning praise from Rousseau:

“He’s had so much success in the league,” Rousseau said. “Great guy, great teammate, glad to have him here.”

For Buffalo, the defensive line’s growth could be the missing piece in their Super Bowl pursuit. In four playoff losses to Patrick Mahomes, the Bills sacked him only five times. With Bosa, Rousseau, and rising young linemen, that narrative may change.

The Clock Is Ticking in Chicago

For the Bears, however, the clock is ticking. Johnson inherited a team desperate to escape years of offensive ineptitude. With a rebuilt interior line (Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, Drew Dalman), Chicago hoped Williams would finally have stability. Instead, the same issues — penalties, indecision, and porous tackle play — threaten to derail another season.

The Bears open against Minnesota, whose pass rush duo Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel combined for 23.5 sacks last year. If Williams doesn’t improve his timing, and if Johnson can’t stabilize the line, Week 1 could look much like Friday’s joint practice: chaotic, sloppy, and painfully familiar.

The Bottom Line

Williams remains immensely talented, a quarterback capable of spectacular throws and highlight runs. But talent alone won’t erase the Bears’ chronic offensive dysfunction. Johnson must fix pre-snap discipline, rebuild Williams’ confidence, and unlock quicker decisions — fast.

Because if Chicago can’t get its No. 1 pick right, the Bears’ long wait for a franchise quarterback might drag on even longer. And patience in the Windy City is already wearing thin.