Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze show growth in their connection against the Bengals

CHICAGO. — Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze weren’t on the same page on their final play together in the preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

On third-and-9, Williams surveyed the field and then rolled to his right after he didn’t find anyone open. The rookie quarterback threw the ball towards the back right corner of the end zone and intended to hit Odunze, but the ball sailed over his head.

“Yeah, so Rome and I talked about it,” Williams said after the game against the Bills. “Rome and I talked about it and that comes from time of getting on the same page and same connection. We talked about it and I actually thought he was going to take it high because I thought he saw the guy – which he did – he told me he saw the guy that was below him, one defender and then one of our teammates down the right sideline. I thought he was either going to settle or go to the back pylon. He started coming out flat and by then I had to let the ball go. I tried to give him a chance and put it back pylon to see if he could run under it.”

On the second episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears,” the show revealed Williams and Odunze talking about the play and how they would adjust for the next time.

A week later, Williams and Odunze capitalized on the play that was off schedule.

On second-and-10 from Chicago’s 48-yard line, Williams lined up in the shotgun and stepped up in the pocket after his right foot hit the back of his drop. Williams then spun out to his left and saw Odunze, who was lined up in the slot, running down the field. Williams launched the pass while going to his left and did so while doing the signature “Jump Man” move. The ball landed perfectly in Odunze’s arms and the Bears gained 45 yards on the play.

“I had the corner there,” Odunze said. “I should have ended up taking it high with the defense. He was playing flat footed. Try to get underneath to just to create a passing lane for Caleb, but wasn’t able to do it in the first window. So scrambled a little bit. You know, Caleb did his magic back there, and placed the ball exactly where it needed to be. You know, I was there to make the catch.”

This isn’t the first time Odunze has seen Williams make a special throw, but it still brought excitement to the 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver.

“Oh man, it’s pretty unreal, honestly, I just watched it back,” Odunze said. “Man, he is throwing off one leg and putting it on my outside shoulder. It’s like ooh. Yeah, it’s magically what he is doing back there in that backfield, so he’s special.”

That 45-yard connection is something Williams and Odunze can both build off of as they get closer to the start of the regular season. In one week’s time, the two talented rookies showed how they could both be on the same page in split seconds.

“I think we’re continuing to grow our connection as he is continuing to grow his connection with everybody within the offense,” Odunze said. “And I think we’re all gaining that comfortability, that chemistry with one another. You know, they’re different plays, but, you know, also, you know, something that we’re continuing to grow. It’s awesome to even finally make a play, to have that connection and build up that confidence in one another.”

Three plays after the 45-yard gain, Williams scored on a 7-yard touchdown run on a play that he again extended. Teven Jenkins led the way and Williams scored the first touchdown on the day for the Bears.

That would end up being the last play for Williams, Odunze and the rest of the starting offense. The Bears would go on to defeat the Bengals, 27-3, but that last fifth and final series was a positive way to finish the game after the starters put together three straight three-and-outs and gained just 63 yards in four drives.

So, still some ups and down moments from the offense, which is expected given all the newness surrounding the team, but Williams knows the kind of potential he and Odunze can have as they get closer to the start of the regular season.

“We’re going to be explosive,” Williams said. “We’re two rooks, but, you know, we’re trying to catch up to the old guys as fast as we can to make sure we are right there on par with them to be able to be efficient, function, go out there and be explosive. Be on the same page and win games. It’s ultimately what we are here to do, and having a guy like that that was drafted with me, we’re only going to keep growing and keep building this connection.”

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