The Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals participated in a joint practice on Thursday ahead of their preseason game on Saturday, which provided both starting units an opportunity to work against someone other than their teammates.
For a large portion of the joint practices, it was a battle of the offenses with quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Joe Burrow lighting it up and leaving the defense reeling. While the defense eventually closed the gap, both Williams and Burrow impressed.
Chicago didn't face Burrow last season in the Bears' 47-42 shootout win, as he was sidelined with an injury, which gave the defense a nice challenge against one of the NFL's best ahead of the regular season. Even Bears head coach Ben Johnson was impressed with what he saw
out of Burrow during the joint practice.
"This guy, he’s like a surgeon back there, from my perspective at least," Johnson said. "He’s got great pocket awareness. He can dissect defenses in a hurry. He knows, recognizes coverages. He’s able to distribute the ball. And then he trusts the guys that he’s got on the perimeter as well. We know the two guys on the outside, they’re probably the best duo in the business right now when you look at it. And so, he gives them a chance to make plays. This will be a great test for our defense right now with where we are and what we’re doing coverage-wise and facing an opponent like that. But it’s fun to talk to a guy like [quarterbacks coach] J.T. Barrett - he was teammates with Joe at Ohio State. So, there’s some shared history there. He speaks very, very highly of who Joe is as a person as well.”
Being able to have this kind of test so early in the preseason should prove to be valuable for Chicago’s defense, especially given the schedule the Bears have this season. Chicago will have to face high-powered offenses in the regular season.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears HC Ben Johnson has ultimate praise for Bengals QB Joe Burrow
