Cubs News: Billings on his contract extension, young DT duo, Williams' confidence |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - Defensive tackle Andrew Billings was a frequent presence on Chicago’s defense last season. Despite not recording any sacks, he created disruption and was a key player for the Bears, which is why he was signed to a two-year contract extension back in November of 2023.
For someone who has bounced around to a few different teams, it was refreshing for Billings to have some security. “That’s pretty good. I get to stay in the same defense for one year. That’s pretty much the biggest thing,” Billings said. “I feel like I can make a step forward now this year. I can do something better. I have to just learn something new. So, that’s nice.” Last season was the first time in his entire career he started in all 17 games of the season. So, he also serves as a mentor for young players like Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens, who are both going into their second year with the Bears after being drafted in the second and third rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft. There has been a lot of talk about Dexter’s improvement this offseason. He has changed his body and come into training camp with determination and is incredibly focused on developing as a player. Billings has noticed Dexter and his improvements, but he still said they are taking it slow with him. “He’s really improving on his get off. We’re taking it slow with him,” Billings said. “(He’s) just got to practice his get off and then we’ll work onto the next things because he’s up now. So, it’s his time.” Pickens has not been discussed nearly as much as Dexter even though they both played in all 17 games last season. The third round prospect out of South Carolina did not put up as impressive stats as Dexter although he still recorded 0.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two quarterback hits. He is also progressing and Billings stated that fans are going to see him out there too. “You’re going to see some of him. He has a good get off and I think you’re going to see that coming from him too,” Billings said. “He’s going to be real vertical this year. I think it’s going to be more of his play style this year for sure.” Despite bringing in a new defensive coordinator, Eric Washington, the Bears' schematics have not changed much, another factor that will help everyone on the team. Billings spent most of his first regular season in Chicago without a defensive coordinator. Washington is also a former defensive line coach, something that Billings and others have appreciated about him and his coaching style. “He does a great job, hell of a job. But with him, he just comes up, pulls you aside. ‘Do this, do that,’” Billings said. “It’s just, he pays attention to every little detail of every individual.” Friday, July 26, was the first practice in pads. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has been having some difficulties with the cadence since organized team activities (OTAs) and was still having some problems with the different cadences in that practice. However, Billings said that overall, the cadence has improved from where it was. “It’s sharper. It’s more precise,” Billings said. “We’ve been giving him that move call and messing up his offensive line and he’s taking notice of that. So now, he’s calling more hard counts and all that. So, that’s really helped us out there, and I think it’s going to show in the game as well.” In the second practice in pads on Saturday, July 27, Billings caused some problems for the offense. He yelled “Move!” multiple times before the snap, causing some false start penalties. Williams also struggled with turning the ball over in that practice. Despite the difficulties, Billings stated that Chicago’s rookie quarterback has been positive overall in his approach, something he feels will benefit Williams in his career. “He’s positive and I think that’s something a quarterback has to be,” Billings said. “When the lights are off, you got to be positive. When the lights are on, when we’re up, when we’re down, I feel like things are going to roll off his shoulder and he’ll be able to keep going throughout the game.”
