Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears premiered last night with an episode focused mostly on the quarterback and head coach.
Best moment: Tracking Caleb Williams
No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams was one of the most hyped NFL draft prospects in a while, so it’s no surprise that Hard Knocks’ first episode—and likely most of the season—will focus heavily on him. Some of the stuff he did in college (e.g., painting his fingernails) made Williams a polarizing player to many, but he came off very well in Episode 1 and can probably win over a lot of uncertain fans that watch the show. We saw some growing pains and adjustments throughout practices, but the young quarterback’s talent is evident.
Another strong moment was receiver DJ Moore coolly going back to practice after signing a huge four-year extension with the club:
Our Ep. 1 review pic.twitter.com/hw6GqGTYDa
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 7, 2024
Worst moment: The rookie shows
There were really no “worst” moments in the first episode of the season, as things went smoothly on the field from what we were shown. This space will be used to mention the rookie show, which for the Bears involved a rookie—apparently one per day—going up in front of the team to sing. Caleb Williams was booed off stage, and Canadian offensive lineman Theo Benedet went the extra mile to gain the respect of his teammates in a comical scene.
Funniest moment: Jonathan Owens’ dogs
Before heading to the airport to go to Paris to watch his wife—and all-time great gymnast Simone Biles—participate in the Summer Olympics, we were welcomed to safety Jonathan Owens’ home and met the couple’s three dogs. It was funny to see them playing and acting up a bit with the cameras rolling, and the scene also included Biles not being surprised that Owens was waiting until the last minute to go to the airport.
Underrated moment: Nick Saban’s insight
Recently-retired legendary head coach Nick Saban had Matt Eberflus as a player in his first head coaching job with Toledo in 1990, and it was awesome to get an inside-look at his thought process in discussing things with Eberflus—including, most of all, the quarterback position. Collin Johnson’s two-touchdown performance in the weather-shortened Hall of Fame Game should also be mentioned as another underrated moment.
Best quote: Nick Saban
“You can’t be a transactional leader. This is where a lot of athletes are. It’s all result-based. You know, if the play woks, it’s ‘great.’ If it doesn’t work, it’s ‘terrible.’ Well, that ain’t really how it is.”
MVP: Matt Eberflus
Along with his new franchise quarterback, Eberflus received most of the focus on the initial episode of Hard Knocks. He hosted a barbeque before the start of camp, we got a look at his new beard-focused style (and a barbershop in the team facility), and the third-year head coach seems to have a solid connection with his players. Seeing Eberflus’ involvement in being hands on by both coaching up and holding one-on-one meetings with Williams—despite being a defensive coach—was also noteworthy.