Chicago Bears defender sent Caleb Williams a message after rookie’s embarrassing practice

Thursday’s practice didn’t go well for Williams. He was working without wide receivers Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen. (Nate Davis and Darnell Wright were also absent for the 11-on-11 portion of practice.) Williams completed only three passes during the 7-on-7 drill. He didn’t fare much better during the team period.

Kevin Byard sent Williams a message after practice

Byard helped the Bears secondary make life difficult on Williams. Byard spoke to the media following the defensive blood bath. The two-time All-Pro said he talked to Williams following the practice. Byard told Williams the workout would make Williams a better quarterback:

“Days like this are going to make you better,” Byard said.

Many Bears fans were worried this offseason that the locker room might not embrace Justin Fields’ replacement. But the whole team is already rallying around Williams as their quarterback of the future. A positive team culture will go a long way in building Williams’ confidence, even as he has growing pains before and during his rookie season.

Williams lit the Bears defense up on Day 1

The Bears’ defense wants to challenge Williams and thinks they should be ahead of the offense at this point in the offseason. Byard said not all of the Bears’ practices this week have been lopsided in favor of the defense.

“The first day, the offense really got after us,” Byard said. “[Williams] made some good throws, some deep passes. He had a really good day. Today, we got after him.”

Byard said he’s excited to play with the Bears secondary this season. He said the culture is excellent, and the team is “hungry.”