The Chicago Bears continue their offseason of hype, being this year’s “Hard Knocks” team.
“Hard Knocks” allows fans to see behind-the-scenes as for what goes on in an NFL team’s offseason, specifically training camp.
For a Bears team that has had more headlines than wins since 2020, it’s easy to see why HBO chose this team for its training camp coverage.
Biggest Takeaways From the First Episode of ‘Hard Knocks’
Even though only one episode has been released, that one-hour-long episode was chock-full of notable moments.
In the age of social media, there’s not being much privacy for these teams, but “Hard Knocks” lifts the curtain back even more to get into what makes these teams different.
Matt Eberflus and Nick Saban Discuss Caleb Williams’ Development
Used as the trailer for this episode, Bears fans learned a bit more about Matt Eberflus and the reason he looks the way he does now. His wife Kelly was the mastermind behind Eberflus’ makeover, but that wasn’t the top story from the head coach this episode.
After drafting Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, the Bears were either celebrated or scrutinized for doing so.
However, one of the strongest minds in the college football realm joined coach Eberflus to discuss Williams and what he brings to the table.
Nick Saban talks to Matt Eberflus about the high expectations on rookie QB, @CALEBcsw.#HardKnocks with the @ChicagoBears premieres tonight at 9pm ET on @StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/2xqtJyrOHy
— NFL (@NFL) August 6, 2024
Coach Eberflus and former Alabama head coach Nick Saban met post-draft to have a coach-to-coach discussion on how the Bears should go about handling their No. 1 overall pick as he transitions from college to the NFL.
Saban’s biggest point was the fact that expectations are a killer for college quarterbacks entering the NFL.
And Williams has no shortage of expectations, whether from himself or others. His phone screen wallpaper consists of the goals he expects to meet, and while goals are certainly important to have, the expectation and limited time to make it happen are a formula for disaster.
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The example Saban used was Peyton Manning and his record-setting rookie season. However, it wasn’t record-setting in a positive way.
In his rookie season with the Colts, Manning led Indianapolis to a 3-13 record while throwing for 26 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. To this day, that is still the most interceptions thrown by a quarterback in their rookie season.
Had Manning let that rookie season eat him alive, it’s unlikely that he’d be the quarterback many NFL fans remember to this day, as a 14-time Pro Bowler, seven-time All-Pro, five-time MVP, and two-time Super Bowl champion.
Considering the success Saban helped lead in Tuscaloosa, Ala., it would be wise for Eberflus and the Bears to take what he says to heart.
DJ Moore Might Be the Most Humble $110 Million Player in the NFL
During the first episode of “Hard Knocks,” there was a moment featuring receiver DJ Moore that just cements the fact that he’s one of the easiest players in the league to root for.
In this episode, fans got a chance to see Moore sign his new four-year contract extension worth $110 million. This contract comes in as the largest in Bears history, and yet, unless you saw it happen, you wouldn’t even know he signed it.
Moore has consistently been a receiver who outproduces the hype around his name, and it might be time to accept that he’s the NFL’s most humble player.
Not only did he sign the most expensive contract in Bears history, but right after doing so, Moore put his head back down and went to practice. That was one of those moments that would have 99% of the population in happy tears, but for Moore, it’s just business.
Sometimes, it appears that these players can ham it up for the cameras to show off a persona that they wish they were. For Moore, what you see is what you get. He’ll dominate on the field on Sunday, go home, smoke a cigar, and repeat the process all season.
Williams is the Clear Focus for Chicago, a New Ideology for the Bears
While neither general manager Ryan Poles nor any Bears coach explicitly said that their rookie quarterback is the focus moving forward, it’s clear by their actions.
Since their founding season, the Bears have been a team that cares about hard-hitting defense and playing a physical brand of football. However, with Williams joining the team, there’s a new sense of priorities surrounding this football team.
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As a “main character” of the first episode, Williams and his development as an NFL quarterback appear as the Bears’ top priority.
Chicago has never had a quarterback throw for over 4,000 yards, but as was evident in the first episode of “Hard Knocks,” Williams’ development is paramount. The expectations are set that the development of his talent is the focus.
There was even a montage of poor throws from Williams this training camp. But what really stood out was how well both the coaching staff and Williams took the good from the bad.
Another thing to note is how good of a teammate Williams appears to be, especially after his character was dragged through the mud in the pre-draft process. In every clip Williams was in with his teammates, it was difficult to find a non-smiling face.
While the history of Bears quarterbacks is full of despair, Williams appears ready to change that trajectory.
The second episode of “Hard Knocks” airs Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 9:00 p.m. ET, as Bears fans and fans alike get their second dose of offseason action.
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