On and off the field, the Bears defense seems to be building something special.
A talented unit that led the NFL in run defense and tied for the league lead with 22 interceptions last year has excelled throughout training camp.
"For the most part," said linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, "a lot of guys have been able to be out there, just playing together the whole training camp and kind of just developing that chemistry, that bond that we need to go out there and win games."
The chemistry the defense has developed is evident on the field, where the unit has not permitted a touchdown in its last nine quarters of preseason action.
"It's just seeing guys playing fast," Edmunds said. "That's chemistry as a whole. The time that we've spent outside of the building, the time that we've spent in the building, all that stuff goes to us playing fast on Sundays or whichever day we're playing.
"Guys are hanging out outside the building, going out to eat, maybe you to go the mall, go to the pool, whatever it may be. Guys are finding a way to connect. Guys are finding a way to learn more about the individual."
That bond has fostered a brotherhood on the Bears defense under coach Matt Eberflus.
"Now that we chilled a little bit more, now I know you more, that trust factor going to the field knowing your brother is going to show up for you and make that play," Edmunds said. "That's the game that we play. Just having that experience and being able to do that, it's going to make this team 10 times better."
Nickel back Kyler Gordon feels that the chemistry has fueled an "uncommon culture" in the locker room.
"The way that we do talk," Gordon said, "the way that we positively critique and get on each other, the accountability, the way we hold each other to the standard and stuff like that, we're on top of it 24/7 really."
Veteran teammates laud Caleb Williams
Edmunds believes that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams fits perfectly into the team's chemistry because "he's his authentic self."
"I think that's the No. 1 thing you can do as a leader because he's in a leadership role," Edmunds said. "He's the quarterback of our football team, and when he shows up to be himself, I think guys just naturally gravitate toward that. Obviously, his performance on the field is going to speak for itself, but him as a person, he's just himself and guys respect that."
Williams has played three quarters in the Bears' last two preseason games, completing 10 of 20 passes for 170 yards with no turnovers and a 79.2 passer rating.
"The thing that I've learned: he's a competitor," Edmunds said. "Ain't nothing going to slow him down. Something maybe didn't go his way, but at the end of the day he's going to come out that next play still talking, still being himself, confidence level still high, and he's ready to ball. And that's what I respect most, man, because a baller wants to play with a baller."
Veteran teammates were impressed with how Williams responded to adversity in last Saturday's 27-3 preseason win over the Bengals at Soldier Field.
After the offense went three-and-out on its first three possessions, Williams engineered back-to-back scoring drives, generating a highlight-reel 45-yard completion to rookie receiver Rome Odunze and then scoring on a spectacular 7-yard scramble.
Veteran tight end Gerald Everett has marveled at how the rookie quarterback has been able to "just keep going no matter what's thrown at him."
"Being a rookie quarterback, I can't imagine the pressure that is on him," Everett said. "But going through an NFL install from training camp to now, leading up to Week 1, just seeing him handle it, roll with the punches, is a sight to see.
"Watching him perform on Saturday was also a sight to see: Rolling out, pocket presence, vision down the field, hitting Rome in stride. I can't say enough about Caleb. I'm sure he will be even more exciting in the future."
Key addition
Everett signed with the Bears in March after spending his first seven NFL seasons with the Rams (2017-20), Seahawks (2021) and Chargers (2022-23), catching 284 passes for 2,833 yards and 19 touchdowns.
The 6-3, 252-pounder spent his first five pro seasons being coached by Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who served as Rams tight ends coach (2017) and passing game coordinator (2018-20) before becoming Seahawks offensive coordinator in 2021.
"I'm very optimistic in my capabilities in this offense as I've been in each other team I've played for," Everett said. "Following Shane here, I don't see it being any different. Having a great teacher in him and Jim [Dray], with Flus as head coach, I remain optimistic this year in Chicago and hope that I can be the best player for myself and the organization."
With his size and athleticism, Everett presents match-up problems for defenses.
"He's a tight end, but 'G' is like a receiver out there," Edmunds said. "He's crafty, has the speed, the size, got strong hands. He can pretty much do it all out there as far as the tight end position. Any time you have somebody like that, that dynamic, it draws a lot of eyes on the defense."
