Bears DC Eric Washington observes Gut Check for his defense

Caleb Williams and the Bears' offense moved the ball down to the six-yard line. That's when cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds recorded back-to-back pass breakups on three consecutive stops to prevent the offense from scoring a touchdown, per media in attendance. The Bears' defense dug deep to force a turnover on downs.

Coach Washington was impressed.

"It's a gut check," he said to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "You can be in great shape in terms of preparing for training camp, but once you get out on the football field and you’re going through individual periods, and you’re actually practicing scrimmage plays - that's a different level of conditioning. You’re going to see guys in great shape get tired competing and playing pro football. They have to dig down deep. They’ve done that. The communication has to be there. You can’t give in or yield to that, because it’s a critical situation — we’ve got to find a way to close out the game," Washington concluded.

Recording timely stops is the difference between good and great football teams. The Bears flashed the potential to record game-winning stops during Tuesday's practice. Coach Washington and Matt Eberflus will appreciate the defense's willingness to compete.

The Bears will return to the practice field on Thursday for their fifth practice. Their first practice in pads will occur on Friday, which will be their sixth overall practice. We'll monitor if the defense shows the same willpower once full uniforms and pads are being donned.