The wide receiver screen has gotten a bit of a bad rap in Chicago. It has rarely gone well over the past few seasons with multiple play callers.
But when it’s done right, it’s apparent why the tunnel screen can be a quarterback’s best friend.
After Caleb Williams’ 16-yard scramble to get a first down on the Bears’ opening drive against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, new play caller Thomas Brown dialed it up. Williams had to get the ball out quickly. The linemen had to get their blocks. And receiver DJ Moore had to do the rest.
That’s where this week’s All-22 breakdown begins, as we can see how Brown simplified things for Williams, got the rookie quarterback some confidence and allowed the skill players to be productive.
All screenshots courtesy of NFL Pro.
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Over and over again last week at Halas Hall, we heard about the importance of Williams getting the ball out of his hands. The result was a season-best average time to throw of 2.62 seconds, per TruMedia.
This play is a prime example. Williams gets rid of the ball right after he gets the snap, preventing the Packers defensive end from getting a hand on it. Receiver Keenan Allen has his block timed up.
Center Coleman Shelton, left guard Ryan Bates and left tackle Braxton Jones get out in front, and Moore, the team’s highest-paid player, is able to get the ball in space. He followed up Williams’ 16-yard scramble with a 16-yard gain of his own.
After a dreadful 6-for-40 performance on third down during their three-game losing streak, the Bears went 9-for-16 on third down against the Packers. Here’s one of the conversions.
Rookie receiver Rome Odunze’s route is in orange. He gets a little rub from tight end Cole Kmet’s route to his right, and his stutter at the line helps create separation.
One problem we saw in Bears losses was confusing route concepts and receivers not open. This one helps create an opportunity for Odunze to win at the line, which he does.
Williams didn’t need to go through his progressions — that wasn’t the goal this week. But on this one in particular, he did look to the routes to his left first, Allen and Moore. They clear out the middle, and Williams goes to Odunze for a 13-yard gain.
Another quick pass to Moore, this time in the red zone. Check out Williams’ arm angle, and where the Packers’ defensive linemen are — the ball is out so fast, they can’t get a hand on it. And Allen is ready to set a block.
The blocks are there. Right tackle Darnell Wright and right guard Matt Pryor join Allen, and Moore’s footwork helps do the rest for a gain of 12 yards.
The Bears had struggled mightily in two important sequences in games — the opening drive and the first drive of the third quarter. In back-to-back weeks with an opportunity to score before and after halftime, something (or multiple things) went wrong.
This time, they got it right, ending the first half with a touchdown and opening the second half with a field goal drive.
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After D’Andre Swift’s 14-yard run, the Bears got their longest pass of the day, with help from the threat of another handoff to Swift.
Williams fakes the give, and Green Bay’s linebackers inch up just enough. That allows Kmet to get behind them.
Williams could push it deep to Odunze, but there’s a safety in the area, which means there’s room over the top to get it to his tight end.
The pass protection was solid on this play, too, as Williams couldn’t ask for a cleaner pocket to make this throw.
After the defense stopped Packers quarterback Jordan Love at the 2-yard line, the Bears failed to respond with a score. They did, however, go 3-for-3 on third down and take seven minutes off the clock. For the 2024 Bears, that’s a massive achievement.
The second conversion, on third-and-9 from Chicago’s 13, was crucial in the field position game. Williams times up the out route and takes advantage of a crafty receiver who can get just enough space on his route.
The Packers loop linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (No. 56) around on a blitz. Williams has to adjust his platform a bit but is able to get the ball out on time and on target.
Williams has had to do a lot of scrambling during the losing streak. There haven’t been enough plays made through the air. It has certainly felt like the “scramble drill” isn’t working the way it should.
On third-and-20 on the last drive, Williams eludes the rush and gets outside the pocket. Odunze waves his hand and has his eyes on the QB.
This is another example of Williams’ skill set to throw off-platform with accuracy, as he sees Odunze and completes the 16-yarder.
On fourth down, we saw the confidence that Brown has in his rookies, Williams and Odunze, to make a play in a “gotta have it” situation. A back-shoulder throw on fourth-and-3 is generally unheard of, but Williams hits it.
Here’s a screengrab when Williams is about to throw. Odunze is about to get a step on his defender, and the safety is too far away to make a play over the top.
Another quick release by Williams — Cooper is blitzing again, but the pocket is clean for this throw.
And then there’s the ball placement by Williams.
“On the fade ball, just a good call by TB,” Williams said after the game. “I think they would be expecting a run or getting something there that sticks. This is a matchup league, as everybody tells you. To be able to have my guy Rome one-on-one with somebody, one off the line, kind of knowing that the DB’s in catch-up mode, give him a back-shoulder ball. Either going to get a PI or he’s going to catch it. He did just that, made the catch, great catch, unbelievable catch, and got us going.”
Another element we saw Brown use? Zone read and allowing Williams to make plays with his legs.
It helps to get Swift and Roschon Johnson going to force the crashing defender to go for the running back. Williams had some good reads to get a couple of 7-yard gains.
On this one, Kmet was in motion before the snap. Usually on a run play, he’s getting the block — which he did. This time, though, Williams keeps it, and Kmet is able to go with him to the left as the Packers crash down to tackle Swift.
It gets tougher next week, but the Bears do have the benefit of time. There’s no drama this week. Brown and his assistants on offense can get going with a game plan for the Vikings from the get-go knowing who is calling plays.
Brian Flores’ Vikings defense has been outstanding. It’s second in yards per carry allowed (3.58), first in interception rate (4.34 percent), seventh in sacks per pass, fourth in points per game (17.0), and fifth in opponent passer rating (79.4).
The Vikings have blitzed on 39.3 percent of dropbacks, per TruMedia, the second-highest rate in the NFL. They’re going to throw everything at Williams.
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The quick releases and emphasis on running the ball will help. It’ll be hard for Williams to have time to push the ball down the field, but that’s the next thing for the Bears to unlock. Seeing Odunze make a few big plays on Sunday is a reminder that he has the potential to be that deep threat.
The Bears scored only two touchdowns and 19 points. But considering what the offense looked like in Weeks 8-10, the progress was quite evident, and most importantly, Williams looked comfortable and confident. Now Brown has to keep building on it.
(Top photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
