6 takeaways from Day 2 of Chicago Bears minicamp

It was another scorcher on the practice field, previewing what the players can expect during training camp. The second day of minicamp featured some more defensive highlights, as well as quarterback Caleb Williams having a strong showing. There were some notable injury updates, as well, both encouraging and discouraging on Day 2.

Let’s recap what went down during the second day of Bears minicamp. From Caleb Williams’ strong day to Coby Bryant making plays to injury updates, here’s what we learned from Wednesday’s practice.

The Bears are looking for quarterback Caleb Williams to take another step in his development in Year 3, and he’s already showing his potential during offseason workouts. Despite being picked off by safety Coby Bryant during the two-minute drill, it was an overall strong day for the former No. 1 pick. According to Adam Jahns, Williams was “clean” and a perfect 10-for-10 during 7-on-7 drills, which featured “a lot of quick game.” But Williams’ best throw came during a 27-minute team period in the middle of practice, per Courtney Cronin, when he connected with wide receiver Kalif Raymond for a touchdown with Devin Bush sent on a blitz. According to Mark Carman, Williams showed off his arm strength with a “laser to (tight end Colston) Loveland on an out route.”

On Tuesday, it was cornerback Jaylon Johnson making plays in the secondary. Today, it was free-agent addition safety Coby Bryant showcasing his ballhawking ability during Wednesday’s practice. Bryant finally got an interception off quarterback Caleb Williams, something he wanted to accomplish, during the two-minute drill. According to Mark Carman, Bryant got in front of receiver Jahdae Walker to make the play. “He didn’t like it,” Bryant said of Williams. “I wanted to get him before the end of spring.”

There’s little doubt that first-round rookie Safety Dillon Thieneman will be starting alongside Coby Bryant when Week 1 kicks off. But head coach Ben Johnson isn’t one to let someone not earn a starting job, and that’s exactly what Thieneman is doing at this stage of the offseason. For the first time this spring, per Sean Hammond, Thieneman took some reps with the first-team defense. That’s likely to increase once training camp kicks off next month as the 25th overall pick looks to work his way up the depth chart and become an impact player as a rookie.

Another day, another practice where third-round rookie Zavion Thomas is making plays and earning standout status. At this point, I’d be surprised not to include him in takeaways. After head coach Ben Johnson praised Thomas before practice — noting “he tends to make a play almost every single day right now” — and he showed it on the field. According to Clay Harbor, Thomas made plays both on offense and special teams, continuing “showing natural hands” with a diving catch, as well as comfortably fielding punts during a windy outing.

How about a special teams update? Outside of long snapper, there’s an interesting battle shaking out at punt returner with a slew of playmakers including Kalif Raymond, Luther Burden III and rookie Zavion Thomas. According to Clay Harbor, it’s shaking out to be Raymond and Thomas in that punt returner spot. While Burden wanted to go second, special teams coordinator Richard Hightower had Thomas follow Raymond. Why? As Harbor noted, “Respect Burden, but you’re too important to the offense, sir.” Sticking with punts, Mark Carman noted that punter Tory Taylor boomed a punt 70 yards (with the wind at his back) during Wednesday’s practice.

The Bears had a handful of players sitting out minicamp practice on Wednesday (more on that below), but there was actually some good news on the injury front. After exiting Tuesday’s practice with an apparent foot or ankle injury, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was back on the field and “full go,” per Josh Buckhalter. Stevenson is competing for the starting outside cornerback job opposite Jaylon Johnson, and he’ll battle the likes of rookie Malik Muhammad.

Meanwhile, offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. returned to practice after missing some time during OTAs and Tuesday’s minicamp practice. Per Clay Harbor, Wills has a “big body, moving well, and quicker than you’d think.” He will be competing with Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet for the starting left tackle job. The former first-round pick saw action with the third-team offense, but there’s plenty of time for him to work his way up the depth chart.

As for the players who weren’t spotted at practice: cornerback Kyler Gordon, linebackers D’Marco Jackson, Noah Sewell, Ruben Hyppolite II and Keyshaun Elliott, defensive linemen Shemar Turner, Neville Gallimore and James Lunch, defensive back Cam Lewis and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears minicamp: Takeaways from Day 2