![Caleb Williams]()
This was the layup of all layups — sorry to invoke basketball Chicago fans, I know it's been a minute since the Bulls were good — but credit the NFL and HBO for choosing wisely.
https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1796283964832850064
DA Bears were a no-brainer shoo-in for
Hard Knocks. They'll get plenty of mileage out of
No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams alone. However, there's plenty more to be intrigued about in the Windy City as their new franchise quarterback and an upgraded roster look to finally catalyze the moribund organization's movement into perennial contender status.
Funny plot twist: Bears chairman George McCaskey, grandson of George Halas, was not among the leadership contingent
who provided statements for Thursday's big news. If an official 247Sports Bears guy is tweeting this out, I count it as a notable omission.
https://twitter.com/Zack_Pearson/status/1796286901307003333
Not a big shock there, though. Good to see
some people at Halas Hall want to bring this team into the 21st Century and recognize a killer opportunity for publicity and brand growth when they see it.
Hard Knocks never gives us anything too in the weeds about football schematics, and nowadays they no longer air the moments where players are cut. That's actually a good change, in my opinion. But anyway, there are always human interest subplots to follow, and unsung heroes who wind up becoming stars before the HBO cameras. While I can't anticipate every single player who'll make a splash for the
Hard Knocks lenses, here's a best guesstimate at the best storylines to follow as this enticing new entry in the long-running documentary series plays out during Bears training camp.
The Caleb Williams-Rome Odunze Bromance
This dates back to the pre-draft process. The former Washington wide receiver was already working out with Williams and the Bears' other star wideouts in DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. Once Williams went first overall and the Bears managed to nab Odunze at No. 9, there was palpable excitement.
https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1783680998951072208
This Williams-Odunze dynamic first-year duo already seem to have a strong rapport building on the practice field, too.
https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1796210587610779696
Can't wait to see these studs develop together. I just wonder how many targets can go around when Moore and Allen are used to being such high-volume guys. Good problem to have!
The 'Flus is loose! — What is Matt Eberflus' leadership style?
All you really have to go off of when it comes to a head coach's demeanor are on-field results, press conferences, and brief locker room clips.
Matt Eberflus doesn't exactly check any of those boxes. Or at least he didn't until the Bears traded for defensive end Montez Sweat during last season. Eberflus helped Chicago's defense transform into one of the NFL's better units in the last half of the schedule.
With some new style and a new swag thanks to Williams being a massive upgrade over prior QB Justin Fields, I feel like 'Flus has a little momentum in his corner.
https://twitter.com/BarroomNetwork/status/1793757401071698173
Kiran Amegadjie and Austin Booker in pursuit of starting roles
How cool is it that Amegadjie, an offensive lineman from Yale, was born and raised in Hinsdale, Illinois — a suburb of Chicago? The hometown kid narrative is obvious, and similar to the poetry segment Myles Garrett did on
Hard knocks back in the day, I'm sure we'll get some insight into Amegadjie's non-football hobbies. But don't get it twisted — Amegadjie could easily work his way into a role as a guard, or even push Braxton Jones for the starting left tackle job.
https://twitter.com/JaimeEisner/status/1787538025011900573
As for Austin Booker, he barely played at Minnesota before transferring to Kansas in 2023. Suddenly, he piled up 56 total tackles (12 TFL) with eight sacks. Not bad for one's first year as a college starter. Obviously, Booker is raw from a reps standpoint. It's just that the Bears don't have many other dudes on the edge, so I couldn't be surprised if he sees significant snaps out of the gates, if not a gig as the starter opposite Sweat.
https://twitter.com/clayharbs82/status/1787871221331226881
Keenan Allen as the old wily veteran
For being such a prolific, productive playmaker, Allen isn't a star player you hear from terribly often. Part of that must stem from his professionalism and business-like approach to his job. Another factor is playing for the Chargers for his entire career. Although the Bolts had some success during Allen's 11 seasons there, they aren't the most visible team. Not a very strong fan base. Not much in the way of sustained winning. In an effort to change all that, the Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh and made the cap-based decision to cut Allen loose this offseason.
Seeing how Allen leads such a young team will be compelling television. Williams has a lot on his plate as a rookie. Any load Allen can take off of him will be invaluable to the whole offense. Furthermore, we should have some bits of Allen flying around with a chip on his shoulder after being cut. If we're lucky, maybe a few soundbites about how he's going to make the Bolts wish they never let him go.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1794488616607220037
Anything and everything Jaylon Johnson is up to
Almost made this about punter Tory Taylor and his Aussie customs. Rather than making it all about
the Bears' loaded draft class, though, Johnson was the easy next choice. He
opened up about sex addiction at a press conference that was meant to celebrate his four-year, $76 million contract extension.
That went everywhere. Many cameras were on him then. Can you imagine what he might do on
Hard Knocks? I can't. Maybe that viral confession will lead him to keep a lower profile now that it's off his chest. Then again, Johnson is extremely charismatic and one of the elite cornerbacks in the NFL, so I think he'll emerge as one of the show's clear stars.
https://twitter.com/NFL_DougFarrar/status/1793663827000918070
