theathleticuk
Eight plays, 61 yards, and a touchdown—that was the outcome of a Friday morning drive at Halas Hall, though the early hour and lack of pads might suggest otherwise. Yet for the Chicago Bears, this sequence during their third non-padded practice carried significant weight, reflecting a deliberate emphasis on improving a glaring weakness from the previous season.
The drive culminated in a smooth 14-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Williams to tight end Colston Loveland, who slipped between defenders Tyrique Stevenson, Devin Bush, and Coby Bryant to create separation. Williams delivered a precise fastball into a tight window, completing 6 of 7 passes for 55 yards on the possession—a snapshot of efficiency that has become a focal point for the offense.
This effort is part of a broader directive from coach Ben Johnson to transform the Bears into a far more potent unit in end-of-half, two-minute scenarios. While Williams and the offense dazzled in game-winning situations last season—highlighted by seven comeback drives and a memorable playoff touchdown pass to Cole Kmet—Johnson noticed a puzzling inconsistency: the team excelled in the final minutes of games but lagged in the final minutes of halves.
According to TruMedia data, the Bears led the NFL in points scored in the final three minutes of regulation, yet ranked 27th in points scored in the final three minutes before halftime. Williams' passer rating also dipped from 102.3 in the final five minutes of games to 89.0 in the final five minutes of the first half. Johnson acknowledged the issue in March, noting that while the team often secured an initial first down, subsequent drives stalled.
On Friday, Johnson elaborated on the problem, calling it a 'huge point of emphasis.' He revealed that a Thursday night meeting focused on sharper execution, followed by a two-minute drill at the end of Friday's practice. The scenario: a tie game, first down at the 39-yard line, 1:37 on the clock, and two timeouts. Johnson emphasized that consistent focus is key, a sentiment echoed by offensive tackle Braxton Jones, who noted that the unit sometimes loses concentration in those moments.
The Bears' second-quarter struggles were stark: they were outscored 160-103 in that period, the only quarter they lost cumulatively. In 20 possessions ending in the final four minutes of the half, they managed just two touchdowns and five field goals. Even in high-scoring wins over Cincinnati and San Francisco, the offense failed to score on its final first-half drives.
Despite initial perplexity, Johnson expressed confidence in the team's approach, saying, 'We've got some ideas. We're working on it.' Friday's drill offered encouragement as Williams connected with Luther Burden III for 11 yards, hit Loveland for 4 more, and benefited from defensive offsides penalties and a third-down conversion by D'Andre Swift. After a sack, Williams rebounded with consecutive completions to Loveland, showcasing the resilience needed for such situations.
Key Analysis
Johnson's emphasis on end-of-half execution reflects a broader strategy to maximize scoring opportunities. By treating these moments with the same urgency as game-winning drives, the Bears aim to build momentum and steal possessions. The early returns in camp, highlighted by Williams' sharp decision-making, suggest a team committed to correcting its most glaring statistical imbalance.
Originally reported by theathleticuk.