Carrying high expectations, Bears clash with Titans to open season

 

[September 05, 2024]  LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Lofty expectations greet the Chicago Bears and quarterback Caleb Williams, who was drafted out of Southern California with the No. 1 overall pick in April.

Chicago also brought in a stable of offensive talent to support Williams, who doesn't seem to be phased by the bright lights of the Windy City ahead of the Bears' season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon.

"When feet touch the grass," Williams said, "it'll be business as usual."

Chicago went 7-10 last season with dual-threat signal-caller Justin Fields taking most of the snaps under center in what proved to be his final season with the Bears.

Already armed with wideout DJ Moore, the Bears traded for veteran Keenan Allen and selected wide receiver Rome Odunze out of Washington with the ninth overall pick in April's draft. Chicago signed running back D'Andre Swift to flank Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson in the backfield.

Williams understands that he will be called upon to get the ball downfield by either new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron or the Soldier Field faithful.

"The wins are the most important thing," Williams said. "As long as we get that win at the end of the day, 100 yards (or) 400 (passing), it's all the same."

Tennessee also made accommodations for a young passer. The Titans added 1,000-yard receiver Calvin Ridley, outbidding the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars for the free agent, and 1,000-yard rusher Tony Pollard, putting them alongside second-year quarterback Will Levis.

Levis went 3-6 as a starter in 2023, when Tennessee finished 6-11.

Pollard takes over for former franchise linchpin Derrick Henry, who is now with the Baltimore Ravens after rushing for 9,502 yards and 90 touchdowns in eight seasons with the Titans. Although Henry is no longer in the picture, Levis welcomes the chance to lead a team bristling with hope.

"Pressure is a privilege," Levis said. "It means there's a lot of eyes on you, a lot of people counting on you to succeed. Pressure is cool. I welcome it with open arms."

Titans first-year coach Brian Callahan can attest, as he meets a somewhat familiar foe.

Callahan is a native of Champaign, Ill., and he grew up a Bears fan.

"That's the teams that I watched, were Chicago sports teams," Callahan said. "I was a Bears, Blackhawks and Bulls fan, as probably a lot of people were in the 90s. ... Cool moment to be able to go open up my head-coaching career in Chicago."

Tennessee, which employed a run-heavy offense with Henry, is trying to be more balanced with Levis and Co. Callahan, who helped develop quarterback Joe Burrow as the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator from 2019-23, is hoping that Levis and the Titans' offense can jell quickly.

Chicago has the same vision for Williams, and it showed little reluctance when it came to putting its faith in the rookie. Sunday presents the 22-year-old with his first chance to deliver.

"The expectation is what it always is: winning," Allen said. "No matter who the quarterback is, you want to win. I wouldn't rather be with another guy right now than Caleb. ... He's gotten better ever since we started. The confidence is through the roof."

Allen was limited in practice on Wednesday because of a heel injury. Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (toe) was also limited.

A hip injury held safety Jamal Adams out of the Titans' practice on Wednesday, while wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) and linebacker Otis Reese (concussion) were limited.

--Kevin Druley, Field Level Media

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