From Caleb Williams to ‘Hard Knocks’: 10 questions for the Chicago Bears entering training camp

Summer holidays are ending at the end of this week.

The Chicago Bears will hold their first team practice of training camp on Saturday at Halas Hall. And then 12 days after that, they play the Houston Texans in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

The days are long, but the weeks seem short for NFL teams this time of year, especially if you’re starting the preseason.

With that in mind, here are 10 questions for coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Pols to consider when opening their third camp together — but their first with quarterback Caleb Williams.

1. How quickly will Caleb Williams challenge the Bears defense?

The story throughout training camp can’t be “defense beats offense.” We’ve heard this a lot regarding bears. Eberflus has the potential to be a top 10 unit on defense. However, Williams must pass some tests. Defenses can’t beat Williams, but the crowd will be closer to him in camp than in the offseason program.

2. Will there be signs that Shane Waldron is a better offensive coordinator and play caller than Luke Getsy?

Everyone is still learning what Waldron wants to do. This was evident in camp when players had to improve before the snap. After reviewing the practice film there was definitely a lot more to improve on.

But Waldron’s offense should be different than Getsy’s because the Bears’ personnel is different. It starts with Williams, who showed in the spring that he could throw with some anticipation as a rookie. Getsy often talked about a run-first, make-your-wish type of offense with quarterback Justin Fields. The Bears still want to run the ball, but Waldron’s offense must run through Williams.

3. What will the Bears’ starting offensive line look like by September?

There are lots of follow-up questions. Can Taven Jenkins stay healthy? Will Nate Davis be the lineman the Bears believed they signed? Is there a better answer at Coleman Shelton Center? Can Ryan Bates be a full-time starter? Will third-round pick Kiran Amegadji insist on playing as a rookie?

Building relationships with Moore, Allen and Odunze will be important for Williams. The Bears also want him to test different throwing windows at this level. This will help counter the Bears’ talented and boisterous secondary. But there’s only one ball to spin. Tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett and running back D’Andre Swift will also get their catches.

5. How concerned are bears about the crowd around them?

The best practices in camp often take place between offensive and defensive linemen. This is the closest to game-like reps in practice, especially when it comes to the pass rush. If offensive tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright have their way with DeMarcus Walker, Dominic Robinson and rookie Austin Booker, it may be time to call up Yannick Ngakoue.

6. Is Gervon Dexter really the answer to three-technique defensive tackle?

Dexter’s development is part of the pass-rush question. He needs to become what Eberflus calls the engine of his defense. The team did not sign a replacement for Justin Jones. It’s a sign that Eberflus and the Poles believe in Dexter and Zach Pickens. Both players will need to become difference makers early in their sophomore seasons.

7. Is the Bears secondary really on the verge of being one of the league’s best?

The signs and swagger are there. The Bears have young players who should be expected to improve and play with confidence every moment they are on the field. The Bears will be challenging cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Tyreek Stevenson, safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard and nickelback Kyler Gordon to remain in camp. Byrd didn’t need time to transition to the Bears defense. His experienced presence was immediately respected.

8. How will the new kickoff rule affect roster decisions?

Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower hinted at this during an offseason program. Right now everything is an experiment. The preseason games will be important to find out. But tight ends who can block and linebackers who can run may have an edge because the matchup must be won in a short space of time.

9. How well will the Bears compete against the Bengals?

The Bears and Bengals will practice together on August 15 at Halas Hall. Joe Burrow and Co. failed to advance into the playoffs last season. But he’s still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The energy should be intense during practice. How well the Bears handle Burrow, receiver Jammer Chase and defensive end Trey Hendrickson could reveal.

10. How many new stories will emerge from ‘Hard Knocks’?

HBO and NFL Films already gave further insight through their offseason edition of the show with the New York Giants, when the team’s pre-draft meetings with Williams and Odunze were featured. Both players should get plenty of airtime this summer.

(Top photo: Kamil Krzyzinski/USA TODAY)