There were rumblings early in training camp that Noah Sewell was making a big impression on the new Chicago Bears coaching staff. The former 5th round pick had spent his first two seasons of his career as a backup and special teams player. Most didn’t think he’d amount to much as time went on. However, his demise might’ve been greatly exaggerated. The linebacker announced his presence to the NFL world in the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins. Despite facing their starting offense, Sewell racked up five tackles and a forced fumble on the opening drive alone. Yet the best part came at the end.

Facing 4th and goal from the one-yard line, Sewell knifed into the backfield and stuffed running back Jaylen Wright for a loss. It was the kind of play that often cements a starting job.

Even when he was drafted, it was always felt that Sewell had starting ability. He’d been a productive player in college. The knock on him was always a lack of speed, making him a liability in coverage. However, that was never his game. He’s a downhill player who thrives attacking the line of scrimmage both as a tackler and blitzer. Naturally, he ends up in a defense that didn’t utilize him that way.

Noah Sewell is finally in the perfect scheme.

Dennis Allen is widely known as one of the more aggressive defensive coordinators in the NFL. His linebackers play downhill all the time. If anybody had the expertise to utilize Noah Sewell the right way, it was Allen. We’re already seeing the results. He should be a big help in run defense this season while serving as that extra body the Bears can throw at the quarterback occasionally. He has the power and size to overwhelm running backs in pass protection, which is often the matchup he’ll face. Sewell may never become a star, but seeing him get this opportunity is still a great story. It is also another feather in the cap for GM Ryan Poles, who took him three years ago.

Being a top 10 pick in the NFL draft always comes with certain expectations. Anything beyond that comes from what the player manages to showcase during his development. Chicago Bears fans weren’t sure how to feel about Colston Loveland. He wasn’t one of the hottest names going into the draft, partly because he’s a tight end and partly because many experts didn’t see him as the best at his position. So for the Bears to take him 10th overall felt like a gamble less on a proven track record and more on physical upside.

Such risks don’t usually go well for this organization.

Still, head coach Ben Johnson felt the young man had everything necessary to become a superstar. Sure, a lot of it was his unique mix of size, speed, and hands. However, there was also his veteran-like savvy as a route-runner and remarkable maturity. He worked like a professional. The Bears felt he would be a natural fit in Johnson’s offense. Adam Hoge and Adam Jahns of CHGO have seen him up close for weeks. Both stated without preamble that the Bears may have actually undersold the young tight end.

Adam Hoge: I haven’t felt this good about a Bears first-round pick since linebacker Roquan Smith in 2018. And even in that case, Smith was “holding in” while his rookie contract was finalized. Loveland was slightly limited to start camp, but has answered every opportunity he has received. His play strength looks good, his blocking has been less of a concern than I anticipated, and he already runs routes like a veteran.

Adam Jahns: I appreciate that the Bears aren’t wasting time with his development. That might sound like a joke but it’s not. He’s not playing behind Stephen Carlson or Joel Wilson. He’s on the field with Cole Kmet in 12 personnel and catching passes from Caleb Williams, Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent. He’s quickly turned into one of the Bears’ more imposing offensive players, earning praise from veterans like Keenum.

Colston Loveland can be a rare difference-maker.

While people love to downplay the importance of tight ends, the reality is so different. Teams that have great ones tend to win a lot in this league. Travis Kelce has three championship rings. George Kittle has helped San Francisco to two Super Bowl appearances. Rob Gronkowski has four rings. Sam LaPorta got Detroit to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert both won championships in Philadelphia. When you have a playmaking tight end, it gives defenses nightmares. Colston Loveland has that level of capability. His size makes it impossible for defensive backs to outmuscle him, and he’s too fast for linebackers. Now you’re putting him in the hands of one of the most creative play callers in the NFL. If the excitement isn’t there yet, it should be soon enough.

The Chicago Bears‘ defense looked like an elite unit in Friday’s joint practice with the Miami Dolphins. They were on top of everything, delivering big hits and forcing turnovers. Mind you, all of it wasn’t because of the starters. Sure, they led the charge, but a considerable contribution came from the backups. According to Adam Jahns of CHGO and other beat writers, the name not being mentioned enough is Terell Smith. Most kind of forgot about the young cornerback, a 5th round pick in 2023.

This is mainly because Tyrique Stevenson went in the same draft. While he’s garnered the headlines, Smith has served as an able reserve who has stepped up whenever asked. It seems he has taken things up another notch over the past couple of weeks.

Cornerback Terell Smith played with and against reserves but he made several plays. It started with punching the ball out of tight end Erik Erukanma’s grasp to force an incompletion over the middle of the field. Smith also picked off backup quarterback Zach Wilson in the same team period. In the end-of-half situational period, Smith broke up a pass to Erukanma in the end zone.

“Smitty is a ballplayer,” Byard said. “He almost caught an interception in the red zone, which was a good play. Like I said, Smitty is a ballplayer. I know he’s been kind of a depth piece but Smitty is a starter in this league, you know, 100 percent. He’s always been playing big-time ball ever since I have been here. He’s just waiting in the wings, waiting for his shot.”

This is great news for the Bears.

They were already in great shape at cornerback with Jaylon Johnson, Stevenson, and Kyler Gordon. Now, it appears Smith and veteran Nahshon Wright have stood out daily. Keep in mind that this is without 5th round rookie Zah Frazier participating at all due to ongoing personal issues.

The Chicago Bears are clearly getting a motivated Smith.

Understandably so. This season is the most important of his young career. In year three, teams often assess which players are in line for extensions. The Chicago Bears already did so for Kyler Gordon. It looked like Jaquan Brisker was destined for the same before he missed the rest of the season with a concussion. This year, Stevenson, Gervon Dexter, Darnell Wright, and Smith will all be pushing for that big second contract. In Smith’s case, he is likely auditioning for other teams. Presuming the Bears prioritize Stevenson for a new deal, he will have to focus on free agency in 2027. A big season this year would be a critical step towards improving his stock. Chicago would love nothing better than for him to thrive. It only means the defense will be that much better.

The Chicago Bears want to win. They want to win badly. Going 12 years with only one winning season is torture for a franchise with such a rich history of success. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to solve the biggest riddle in the NFL. That is the quarterback position. They’ve gone through so many names. They signed big names, traded for big names, and spent multiple top 10 picks on them. It just hasn’t worked. Caleb Williams is their latest attempt. If he can’t deliver, it might be time to wonder if the franchise is cursed.

One essential step for a quarterback’s success is his relationship with the head coach. It didn’t take long to realize that Williams and Matt Eberflus didn’t mix. That is why the Bears hired Ben Johnson. He had the offensive expertise and disciplined coaching style a young kid like Williams needed. Could they coexist? Every indication is that they have. However, it hasn’t been without bumps in the road. Williams admitted to the Chicago Sun-Times that he and Johnson have had moments of friction along the way.

“Because Ben and I care so much and are so passionate about winning, we’ve had a few moments where we clash,” Williams told the Sun-Times. “It’s not a clash like, ‘I hate you.’ It’s like a brotherly clash. You’re just two fiery people getting after it. You love each other and you care for each other, and you also care about where you’re at and what you’re doing.

“Those moments are important. Ben and I actually clashed recently, and I ended up being wrong. Then we sat and discussed the moment and what he wants from me, and you just keep moving along… It was more like, ‘I understand, I get it.’ I want that moment.”

Caleb Williams doesn’t need a buddy. He needs a coach.

History is full of highly productive quarterback-coach relationships in which the two guys involved weren’t always fond of each other. Terry Bradshaw hated Chuck Noll for years in Pittsburgh. Joe Montana grew embittered towards Bill Walsh for the treatment he received in his later San Francisco years. Mike Holmgren frequently considered moving on from Brett Favre. We all know the complicated story of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. The point is Caleb Williams doesn’t need Johnson to be his friend. He needs him to be the guy who holds him accountable. Quarterbacks have more power than any player, on and off the field. Only head coaches have more. Eberflus wasn’t willing to tell Williams what he needed to hear. That won’t be an issue with Johnson.

Roschon Johnson was having himself a strong training camp through the first two weeks. Multiple reports said he looked fit, quick, and played with the trademark power he was known for. However, things took a turn over the past few days. It was revealed that Johnson had suffered a foot injury, keeping him out of the two most recent practices. Not much was made of it at first. Players sometimes take a few days to get past ailments during a long camp. However, concern levels went up a notch on Saturday.

News broke that the Bears were signing veteran running back Brittain Brown. He spent five years in college at Duke and UCLA, carving out a productive career. It was enough to get him drafted in the 7th round by the Las Vegas Raiders. After two seasons, he left and spent most of last season on the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad. It is difficult to understand what this move means. Adding a running back at all suggests Johnson might be out for a while. Still, Brittain’s lack of experience (he has zero carries in the NFL) suggests the Bears only view him as a camp body.

Roschon Johnson doesn’t seem the type to miss much time.

He’s known for being tough and doesn’t have much of an injury history. That said, until he’s ready, the Bears have to spread his reps around. Kyle Monangai will likely work with the second team offense behind D'Andre Swift. That means Brown and Travis Homer will handle third-string duties. It isn’t hard to see the appeal. He built a reputation in college as a violent runner who could break tackles. Brown also has solid vision to find the holes. The issue was always a lack of speed and minimal creativity. Even so, Ben Johnson’s offense demands physical running backs. Brown fits that. His lack of wear-and-tear probably played a part in his signing.

The Chicago Bears held their first joint practice of the preseason on Friday. It came against the Miami Dolphins, a team that went 9-8 last season and has made the playoffs two of the previous three years. Many saw it as a great measuring stick to see where the Bears are in preparation for an important season. By all accounts, it was a productive afternoon. The defense dominated most of the individual and team drills, forcing three interceptions and multiple stops for a loss. While not as effective, the offense also had some bright moments. However, it appears some controversy emerged from the afternoon.

Omar Kelly, a prominent Dolphins beat reporter for the Miami Herald, was there for the entire practice. He did a lot of grumbling about how the Bears players were way too physical in drills. There were hits on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and a bevy of late or unnecessary shots that should’ve gotten guys kicked out of practice. He called them outright dirty. It is interesting he said that, considering nobody from the actual Dolphins team mentioned it. For years, Miami has had a reputation for being soft. The fact that even their media complains about a practice being too physical feels a little on the nose.

The Chicago Bears have no reason to apologize.

It’s not like they went out of their way to intentionally hurt guys. If the Dolphins reporters had followed the Chicago Bears in the past week, they would have heard about one of the most physical practices in 20 years that didn’t involve another team. This is how they practice. It isn’t their fault Miami wasn’t ready for it. Besides, head coach Mike McDaniel didn’t complain afterward. If he felt that way, something would’ve been said. It is clear that the reputation of the Dolphins being meek in the face of a hard-nosed, violent team is earned. They fold when they run into the best teams in the NFL, especially in the playoffs. Head coach Ben Johnson understands that while physicality alone doesn’t win championships, it is necessary.

Teaching a quarterback to play the position like a professional is one of the most difficult tasks in all of sports. Plenty of guys can throw a ball with velocity, fewer who can do it with consistent accuracy, and even fewer who can process a defense quickly enough to get the ball out on time. There is a reason only a dozen or so guys can do it with any success. Caleb Williams hopes to join their ranks this season. Last year didn’t go as anybody planned, marred by rookie mistakes and horrendous coaching. Ben Johnson was hired to fix those problems.

The good news for the young head coach was Williams already had two of the three problems solved. He could throw the ball with velocity and had above-average-to-great accuracy. The primary sticking point is the last one. Processing speed was a serious problem for Williams. His bad tendency to hold the ball too long partly led to a franchise record 68 sacks last season. Coaching that out of a player is extremely difficult. How would Johnson do it? Simple.

He told Williams to become a Navy SEAL.

The head coach explained what he meant on the Hoge & Jahns podcast.

Caleb Williams is now unquestionably in the right hands.

It is a perfect analogy. SEALs are the most well-trained soldiers on the planet. House-clearing is one of the most hazardous assignments in combat. You must be willing to trust your eyes and make split-second decisions. Sometimes it will lead to mistakes, but part of it is living with the consequences. Caleb Williams hasn’t reached that point yet. He has a risk-averse nature, not wanting to throw interceptions. While an admirable quality, it is also a double-edged sword because it leads to the extra hits and sacks he keeps taking. If he wants to stop that, adopting the SEAL mentality is the smart way to go. Ben Johnson gets it like no Bears coach has in recent memory.

Roschon Johnson hasn’t practiced over the last few days. Suddenly, the depth situation at running back is looking precarious. The Chicago Bears may have to start thinking about alternatives if Johnson’s situation doesn’t improve anytime soon. While there aren’t any definitive starters on the free agent market this time of year, there are usually one or two notable names with a history. Sure enough, the Bears brought in a familiar face, somebody with ties to head coach Ben Johnson, for a workout.

That is Jamaal Williams.

This is an interesting development. Williams last played for Johnson in 2022. That season, he scored a whopping 17 touchdowns. It was his only 1,000-yard season, too. Unfortunately, it’s been a mess since leaving as a free agent the following year. Williams missed games with injuries and averaged just 3.1 yards per carry in two years with the New Orleans Saints. At 30 years old, many feel he is likely out of gas. Still, there might be hope that a reunion with Johnson can recapture some of that magic from three years ago.

The Chicago Bears might be doing some homework.

Right now, there is no reason to think Roschon won’t return within the next few days. He has no history of injury issues and is known for his toughness. Working out Williams might be the way the Chicago Bears gather information in case they have to make a move later. They wanted to gauge his mental and physical readiness. Teams do it more often than you think. If nothing else, this should tell you how the Bears feel about their overall depth. It isn’t as good as they might’ve preferred. Sadly, that is the reality of the NFL. Sometimes you don’t have the number of bodies you’d wish. In those situations, keeping tabs on the veteran market is essential.