Kevin Byard offers Bears QB Caleb Williams advice after rough OTA practice

Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams struggled throughout Thursday’s organized team activity (OTA) practice. Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron ran several 7-on-7 and other team-vs-team drills via various areas of the field, including in the red zone. The general consensus was that the Bears defense won the day. That will appease defensive coordinator Eric Washington.

Veteran wide receiver D.J. Moore called it a “frustrating day.” Another Bears veteran that was on the opposite end of Thursday’s practice was safety Kevin Byard. Byard played a pivotal role on a defense that flustered Williams, causing him to hold onto the football for longer than designed, or attempt dangerous passes into tight coverage.

It’s worth noting that Williams was without several starters on offense. Keenan Allen, Darnell Wright, and Nate Davis were among the absences. All three starters were excused from practice. Williams was shorthanded against a terrific Bears defense that’s been playing in Matt Eberflus” system for three years now.

“I said something to him at the end of practice like, ‘Keep it going. We’re going to keep making you better,’” Byard said, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN. “And not necessarily saying he had a terrible day, but days like this are going to make you better,” Byard concluded.