The Chicago Bears joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts are complete. So here are my top takeaways.
Justin Fields Deep Ball Did Not Go Anywhere
I'm aware that there has been significant discussions regarding the lack of deep passes during training camp. My opinion is that the Bears primary emphasis has been on refining their short and intermediate passing game. The Titans preseason game resulted in 2 touchdowns from Fields and the Bears offense, yet all of them were from short passes. Personally, I'm not concerned about it, but the critics remain unconvinced. In response, it seems Justin took his frustration out on the Colts defense by delivering a great performance in one-on-one drills and specific team practice segments. His deep ball was absolutely money. While he wasn't flawless, he still flashed his ability to push the ball down the field with ease. During Thursday's practice, Fields continued to perform really well. He successfully completed all nine of his passes in the 7 on 7 drills, making touchdown throws to DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Dante Pettis.
The Bears Defense Was The Strongest Unit For Either Team
The defense is still playing with a lot of energy and swagger. They've been loudly trash talking the Bears offense and making impressive plays at the same time. Now they're doing the same against the Colts' offense. Rookie Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, is starting to really separate himself from fellow rookie cornerback Terell Smith. That competition is over in my book. He made a big hit on a Colts player during a special teams play on Wednesday, and this got the Bears sideline really fired up. Even the veteran players on the defense and Chase Claypool liked what they saw. The atmosphere and vibes on the defensive side are really high. It's makes you wonder if there's something exciting building. Eddie Jackson seems to be turning the clock back to 2018, as he made sure it was a rough day for Colts rookie QB Anthony Richardson. On Thursday's practice, the defense was really strong again. Kyler Gordon made a great play by intercepting Anthony Richardson. During 11 on 11s Anthony Richardson went 1-10. The defense was simply excellent overall. Again, the energy was amazing and it translated to big time performances.
The Offensive Line Is Finally Nasty
A few years back, the Bears offensive line was considered soft, but that's no longer the situation. During Wednesday's practice, Justin Fields ended up on ground twice, reportedly due to a stumble by a Colts defender. But we all know quarterbacks are off-limits during practice. The Bears offensive line, particularly Teven Jenkins, didn't appreciate this and made it clear to the Colts defense that they shouldn't touch Fields again. It's great to see this unit speaking up and supporting their quarterback. Another bright spot is that starting right guard Nate Davis is finally back in pads.
Velus Jones Jr.'s Stock Is On The Rise
Following a disappointing start in the preseason, Velus has stepped up his game as a receiver in camp. Most notably, he made an impressive catch on a deep pass from Fields just a few yards from the endzone. While he still needs to consistently perform well in both practices and games, his progress is moving in a positive direction. One last takeaway: Dante Pettis was seen practicing punt returns, possibly indicating the end of Velus' opportunity in that role. It's worth keeping an eye on.
Backup QB Battle?
Bears rookie QB Tyson Bagent is now making a case to be ahead of veteran QB Nathan Peterman. Bagent has been on a tear as of late. It will be interesting to see if he can continue this momentum on Saturday.
For a detailed breakdown and highlights of the joint practices between the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts, tune in to the BFR Podcast YouTube stream. Joining the show is Kyle Brandt, co-host of Good Morning Football. Watch it now!
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