Hard Knocks” Episode 2 Recap: “I Like Football

Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams took center stage again Tuesday night on the second episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Bears.”

The big picture: Williams looked the part as the Bears’ franchise quarterback, while the show focused on his off-the-field persona.

• Whether in meetings with head coach Matt Eberflus or joking around with teammates, Williams looked like a rookie building confidence and camaraderie.
• At one point, he professed his love of flag football, saying if it was an Olympic sport, it was something he “100% would do.”

Here are the other top takeaways:

Zoom in: The episode featured more football than facial hair. Fans saw more closed-door discussions about the roster and interactions between the general manager, coaches and players.

• Fans also saw more personality, especially from wide receiver D.J. Moore. After getting tackled in the preseason game, the wide receiver yelled “I like football.”
• The bubble players on the roster have been chosen for the “will they or won’t they get cut” storylines: Backup quarterback Austin Reed, running back Ian Wheeler and a surprising choice in kick returner and wideout Velus Jones Jr.
• Chicago blues music was a big part of this episode’s soundtrack. The show recorded musicians playing at Rosa’s on West Armitage Avenue, combining their performance with footage from the practice.

Reality check: Many of the show’s plots feel outdated because Chicago fans get the same news from social media a few days earlier.

The bottom line: Despite the second episode’s release being delayed, it delivered action-packed storylines, while also giving fans the insider glimpses they were hoping to see from the series.

What’s next: Episode 3 airs Aug. 20 at 8pm CT on HBO or streaming on Max.

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