Keenan Allen: Caleb Williams 'called plays way better than he was in OTAs' during first practice

For the first time since OTAs wrapped up, Caleb Williams was back on the field. The Chicago Bears opened training camp Saturday afternoon, just a few weeks before they play the Houston Texans in the Hall of Fame Game.

Williams’ first practice didn’t see too many explosive plays, but it’s just the first step of the No. 1 overall pick’s development. In fact, veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen saw a big difference from OTAs.

Allen said Williams had a better feel for his play-calling as training camp got underway. He also showcased the confidence that stood out through the pre-draft process, and Allen discussed the improvement afterward.

“I thought he was great,” Allen told reporters. “Today, we were real solid. He called the plays way better than he was in OTAs. He felt confident in the plays and what he was doing. There was no timidness from him today.”

Allen is just one piece of a suddenly decorated wide receiver room in Chicago. The Bears landed D.J. Moore in a trade last year with the Carolina Panthers that also led them to Williams as the top pick, and they selected Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick this year, too. Odunze didn’t practice Saturday due to a personal matter.

Keenan Allen: ‘I cater to the quarterback’

By adding a veteran who has six Pro Bowl appearances to his name, the Bears have someone who can help with the development of both Williams and Odunze. After all, Keenan Allen knows what it’s like to work with a young quarterback.

Allen – for whom the Bears traded a fourth-round pick this offseason – worked closely with Justin Herbert the last four years. He had two 1,000-yard seasons in that time and came eight yards short of a third in 2020.

While working with a rookie, Allen wants to be sure he’s doing what Williams wants. That relationship is already growing as training camp begins, and it will continue to get better.

“He’s the quarterback,” Allen said of Williams. “At the end of the day, it all runs through him. I can see things how I see them. I can be an asshole about it, but that’s not me. That’s not the way I learn the game, that’s not the way I play the game.

“I cater to the quarterback. I’m trying to be his best friend and stuff like that. As long as I get to the spots that he likes at the timing that he likes, we’ll be fine.”