The Chicago Bears and their fans have something they have not had in a long time: real hope. After taking Caleb Williams with the number one overall pick and adding many other weapons around him, the highlights from camp have been positive. Videos of off-balance throws and circus catches by players have fans giddy. However, it isn’t all good at training camp. Matt Eberflus was visibly frustrated at the end of the week as the offense was plagued with false starts.

Chicago Bears Offense Off To A Rocky Start

The offensive line as a whole struggled mightily on Friday. For most of the two-hour practice, the Chicago Bears rookie quarterback was either getting sacked or having to check the ball down. The offense had half a dozen false starts which led to slow get-offs at the snap. These are the types of mistakes that drive coaches and fans crazy. A drive can be going well until an untimely false start puts the team in a hole.

It wasn’t all bad, as Caleb Williams showed that he could rise above poor offensive line play. There were many instances where he scrambled and hit a receiver who wasn’t wide open. Many of the throws were in rhythm and hit wide receivers for a big gain. While it is great that Williams can overcome poor offensive line play, this isn’t sustainable once the season begins.

Offensive Line Concerns?

It doesn’t matter how good a quarterback and the weapons around him are if the offensive line cannot block. Caleb Williams is known for his spectacular plays out of structure, but this is the NFL. There is only so much of that a player can get away with. If teams are able to get pressure on the rookie, they will generate bad plays, including sacks and turnovers. This was a group that came into the season with a lot of promise, but the early returns were not great.

Another concern for the Chicago Bears is health. Starting right guard Nate Davis left practice early with an undisclosed injury. It affected the depth of the line as well as the overall play. Injuries happen in the NFL. Football is a violent sport, and no team is immune. However, the good teams are the ones who can rise above the injuries and have the depth to still win games with key players out.

Why We Have Training Camp

Part of the reason for the false starts is the offensive line’s unfamiliarity with their quarterback’s cadence. This is something that can be worked on throughout training camp. That’s why practice is important especially for rookies. Williams will likely play some in the preseason to try and iron out some of these minor issues. While there are some concerns over false starts for the Chicago Bears, these are the types of things that can be fixed in training camp.

It’s difficult to know what to expect from the Chicago Bears this season. They are a team on the rise, and some are even picking them to make a run due to their easy schedule. Ultimately, this year is all about setting a foundation. If the young players can show they can perform in this league, that will be enough.