Chicago Bears coordinators spoke with reporters Tuesday at Halas Hall after a walk-through to prepare for Thursday’s game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
As the Bears make a quick turnaround from Sunday’s overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings, here are three things we heard.
1. Defensive coordinator Eric Washington felt the pass rush was ‘more impactful’ Sunday.
The Bears sacked Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold three times and recorded nine quarterback hits in the 30-27 loss, an improvement over recent performances. The Bears had just one sack each in Weeks 10 and 11.
Washington complimented defensive end Montez Sweat, who had a sack, two quarterback hits and two tackles for a loss, saying he “really felt” Sweat’s impact. It was the first sack since Oct. 27 for Sweat, who has been dealing with shin and ankle issues.
Of course, the Bears still need more from their star, whom they signed to a four-year, $98 million extension last year.
“He played extremely hard,” Washington said. “Came within inches in the overtime period of getting the ball away from the quarterback.
“And we collapsed the pocket. Did a better job with that. Didn’t provide the quarterback with a lot of extra time to make off-schedule throws or escape the pocket. And I think there’s more out there for us with that group.”
DeMarcus Walker and Jacob Martin also had sacks.
Last week Washington said the Bears wanted Sweat to reset from a fundamental standpoint to get back on track, and he said he saw that work pay off Sunday.
“Not only with his get-off, but with the rush angles,” Washington said. “Those things being tighter, which puts the edge of protection under duress and gives him a chance to counter and to do some of the things as far as helping the inside rushers.
“He took ownership of that, took it to heart, especially when we evaluated him and the entire crew. He knows we need him to do special things, and he really stepped up.”
The challenge for the pass rush this week, Washington said, is facing a veteran Lions offensive line and an offense that helps quarterback Jared Goff get rid of the ball quickly.
“The passing game is really controlled,” he said. “They push it down the field some, but they do a great job of getting the football out of his hand so that he doesn’t have to hold it for an extended period of time.”
2. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown praised Caleb Williams for playing with ‘no fear.’
Brown talked last week about his “no fear” philosophy against the Vikings defense, and he thought Williams came through as he threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers.
“It was very obvious he had no fear — at all — which is the way we want to have him play,” Brown said. “I think about being aggressive and taking calculated risks. So aggressive is not being reckless. It’s two different things.
“So not putting the ball in jeopardy. He did a really good job taking care of the football. Obviously making some tight-window throws, which is why you get drafted No. 1 overall to make those big plays.”
Brown also was struck by Williams’ ability to deliver in the fourth quarter, when he helped the Bears score 17 points, before a failed overtime drive that included a sack and delay-of-game penalty.
“When it comes to end of the game, end of the half, he’s delivered in a big way, which I think sometimes goes unnoticed because of the result, which I get,” Brown said. “But that’s a rookie quarterback who in my opinion hasn’t even scratched the surface of how good he can be.
“And it’s my job, my focus, to continue to try to find ways to make him the best he can be. Hold him accountable but also the entire group.”
Williams’ job will remain challenging this week, though in different ways. The Lions have 14 interceptions this season — third in the league — led by safety Kerby Joseph’s seven. They also have the best third-down defense and second-best in the red zone.
Brown called the Lions defense a “violent” and “in-your-face” group.
3. Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower praised Darnell Wright for stepping in on the field-goal protection unit after the Vikings’ block.
After Cairo Santos had his second straight field goal blocked Sunday — the first being the potential winner against the Green Bay Packers — the Bears altered the left side of their line.
The Packers had blocked the kick over Matt Pryor on the left side, and Vikings defensive lineman Jerry Tillery pushed forward against Braxton Jones, next to Pryor, on his block.
The Bears went to the sideline after Tillery’s block and decided to insert right tackle Darnell Wright in place of Jones. Santos made two field goals after that, including a 48-yarder to send the game to overtime.
“Darnell didn’t blink,” Hightower said. “Darnell said, ‘Hey, whatever you need.’ And yesterday he was, ‘Hey, whatever else I can do. Let me know. Anything you want me to do, I’ll do it, Coach.’ So that guy’s attitude is phenomenal.”
Hightower said the Bears continue to look at adjustments to make sure they have solved their protection issues, though he wouldn’t specify what — if any — changes Santos might be considering.
Hightower had a lot to address Tuesday after an eventful game for his units. He said the Bears had been practicing Santos’ successful onside kick twice a week for 2½ years before getting to use it Sunday.
He also said the punt that hit DeAndre Carter in the leg — which the Vikings recovered to set up a touchdown — took an “unlucky bounce.” Carter said he was trying to call off his teammates before it hit him.
“He’s a veteran returner. He knows that he has to communicate there and he tried to communicate,” Hightower said. “What happened on that play is the corner fell down, so as he’s communicating to him and going to get the ball, the corner fell down, it took an unlucky bounce. He was trying to protect his teammate and it hit him.”
Hightower praised Carter for bouncing back with a 55-yard kickoff return to kick-start a late Bears touchdown drive.
