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Where Caleb Williams Sees Left Tackle Going After Latest Development

One left tackle who had been battling for starter left practice and it was apparent from the way their practice went in Tennessee who they are leaning toward.
Gene Chamberlain|
Tackle Theo Benedet remains in the running with Braxton Jones for starting left tackle but the competition is dwinding.
Tackle Theo Benedet remains in the running with Braxton Jones for starting left tackle but the competition is dwinding. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Although Thursday's practice at Nashville might be remembered as the one when both Bears starting cornerbacks left with injuries, when Xavier Woods started a fight, or when Ben Johnson embarrassed the Tennessee Titans on their own practice field with a few trick play in a scrimmage, it might also be recalled for something else.

The end to the left tackle battle seems to have arrived.

The first team went throughout most of practice with Braxton Jones at left tackle. Then it was Jedrick Wills Jr. as backup but it didn't last. The Tribune's Brad Biggs reported an injury sidelined Wills.

The whole things looks to be right where it started out, with Jones starting.

Either Jones or Benedet suits Williams, but it was obvious where this all went.

"Yeah, I mean, other than that one period where it wasn't just the left tackle, we had the (defensive) guys come (rushing) in, you know, down the middle, right side, left side," Williams said. "So, I feel good. I've played with both those guys out there between Braxton and Theo, and so we’ve got live reps, we’ve got real reps, we’ve got game reps, we've got practice reps over the past, I mean, it's three years now for me, going into my third year. And so, yeah, I feel good with where those guys are at and whatever decision coach makes."

The pass blocking held up except on that one period Williams described and it held up well enough for long completions to Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland on both conventional and trick plays.

"I threw a good ball to I think it was Rome middle of the field on a crosser that he was able to turn up field and have a runner’s ball, so I’d say that one for right now,” Williams said when asked about his best throw.

The big trick play was a double pass with Williams hitting Loveland.

"Colston and Rome did a good job, I believe it was Rome over there on the left side at X (receiver)," Williams said. "He did a good job just being really patient, letting the play develop and happen and then just shooting down the field taking the deep coverage out. And Colston lost his guy, so it was real cool.”

Loveland had no one near him on the catch as he went up the left sideline.

Williams was fired up after the practice and performed well. As a result, it will be interesting to see how Johnson plays this week's preseason game.

The fact they got so much done, right down to trick plays, might cause Johnson to keep starters sidelined. Remember, his approach to all of this has been to use starters if they didn't get in enough work. There was plenty of work done by all accounts.

Nevertheless, left tackle might be something to keep looking at for at least a few series. Jones was not good last week in 15 plays and making 100% on him wouldn't hurt anyone.

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.