The Chicago Bears finished their 2024 campaign ranked 27th in total defense, allowing 354.3 yards per game. While it’s a long trek to break into the top five, defensive tackle Andrew Billings thinks this year’s Bears squad has what it takes.

Chicago brought in Dennis Allen as their new defense coordinator. He is expected to bring a physical, aggressive brand of defense to the Windy City. In terms of on the field additions, the Bears signed defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo before drafting fellow DT Shemar Turner in the second-round. Plus, there are star returners such as Montez Sweat, TJ Edwards and Jaylon Johnson still on Chicago’s roster.

But, the Bears have plenty of work to do to see a true defensive renaissance. Billings understands that, but also believes Chicago is on a path towards greatness, via the team’s Wednesday press conference.

“The speed at which you’re moving, after the ball is thrown, after the running back breaks the line of scrimmage, we’re all hustling there. That’s huge in being top five. You see the takeaways that we produce. Third down defense, our second down defense, it’s coming together.”

“It comes from [Dennis Allen],” Billings said of the idea of finishing top five in defense, “but we didn’t walk in here not wanting to be top five in everything either. We want to improve from where we were. We had the number one defense in run. We want to keep that going. We want number one in pass, that’s our goal. It’s a goal you strive for every week, just because it’s what helps you win games.”

Chicago Bears preseason defense review 

All preseason games must be taken with a grain of salt. Not every team is going to play their starters and coaching staffs don’t want to show off their entire bag of tricks. However, Chicago’s first two preseason matchups will at least give fans a glimpse of what to expect.

In their preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, the Bears allowed 24 points in what ended up being a tie. They outgained their opponents 295-272 while forcing quarterback Quinn Ewers to fumble twice. The Bears recorded an impressive six sacks total, with Austin Booker recording three of them.

Chicago followed up that performance by shutting out the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. They held Buffalo scoreless in a 38-0 victory. The Bills gained just 180 total yards of offense compared to 528 from the Bears. Chicago only came away with two sacks this time, one coming from Billings himself, but they managed to force a fumble and overall kept their opponents locked up all game.

Neither Tua Tagovailoa or Josh Allen played in their respective matchups, which changes things drastically. However, the Bears’ defense has been the highlight of the team all offseason. Once the games start to count, Billings doesn’t expect the team’s tenacity to end anytime soon.

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As teams around the league begin cutting their roster down to 53 players, there are bound to be plenty of trades. The Chicago Bears will certainly have their eyes open as they continue building out their first roster under head coach Ben Johnson.

In 2024, general manager Ryan Poles acquired linebacker Darrell Taylor for a sixth-round pick before the season kicked off. Outside of his debut, in which he put up two sacks and a forced fumble, Taylor’s numbers weren’t remarkable with the Bears. He didn’t last long either, as he is now a member of the Houston Texans. Still, it’s an example of Poles’ willingness to fill Chicago’s roster via under-the-radar trades.

As the Bears prepare for their preseason finale, their running back position is still drawing plenty of questions. The team signed Royce Freeman, but he isn’t the full solution to success at the position. To help amplify Johnson’s new offense, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report suggests the Bears offer the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a 2026 fifth-round pick for running back Rachaad White.

He’s well worth a fifth-round pick, a move that would cap off Chicago’s major offensive renovations and massively upgrade the backfield.

How Rachaad White affects Chicago Bears offense 

With Bucky Irving’s emergence, White has fallen out of favor with the Buccaneers. Of course, that may not make him the most tantalizing trade target. However, for a fifth-round pick, there is still plenty that White could offer Chicago.

Over his three years in Tampa Bay, White turned 545 carries into 2,084 yards and 10 touchdowns. His best season came in 2023, when he set career-highs in attempts (272), yardage (990) and touchdowns (six). However, White averaged just 3.6 yards per carry, which is one of the reasons he was surpassed by Irving on the depth chart.

But alongside his work on the ground, White has proven to be efficient in the passing game as well. He has made 165 grabs for 1,232 yards and 11 touchdowns. Six of those scores came in 2024, proving the running back’s game hasn’t dropped off through the air. Furthermore, White has never had less than 50 receptions in a season, fairly high for a running back.

D’Andre Swift should get plenty of opportunities in the passing game as well. But White would offer the Bears a consistent threat in the passing game. They would form a one-two punch with Swift handling the earlier downs. Then Roschon Johnson could handle the goal-line work. Where that leaves rookie Kyle Monangai is unknown, but that would be true if the Bears added any impact running back.

Johnson and company will have one more preseason game to fully evaluate their roster. If they deem running back is still a problem, perhaps Poles puts in a call to the Buccaneers for White.

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The Chicago Bears are focused on showing massive improvement under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. But if the franchise continues their longstanding struggles, the 2026 NFL Draft would become an even more crucial event for the Bears.

It’s hard to say exactly what Chicago’s biggest needs will be, especially in 2026. It seemed likely that the Bears would target either an offensive or defensive lineman at the close of the 2024 season. But due to additions in free agency, the team was able to make a luxury pick in tight end Colston Loveland at No. 10.

There are too many intangibles to determine where the Bears will pick in 2026. But in Field Yates of ESPN’s early mock draft, they held the No. 17 overall pick. With it, Chicago lands Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy.

“If not for an ACL tear suffered in January, McCoy would be much higher. He has returned to the practice field in some capacity, but it’s unclear when he will be cleared to play in games,” Yates wrote. “He is a terrific perimeter cover corner, though, with ideal speed, length and ball disruption skills for the NFL.”

“McCoy had an incredible debut season at Tennessee in 2024 after spending one year at Oregon State, picking off four passes and breaking up eight more,” he continued. “The Bears need more perimeter corners opposite Jaylon Johnson, so this makes sense.”

Chicago Bears cornerback situation 

Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon are locked into the secondary for the foreseeable future. Both have signed recent contract extensions. However, Tyrique Stevenson, who is poised to start next to Johnson, finds himself on the hot seat. He needs a strong 2025 performance to retain his starting role. If he were to struggle, selecting McCoy would only make more sense.

The cornerback began his career at Oregon State, making 31 tackles, seven passes defended and two interceptions. Then, McCoy transferred to Tennessee and set new career-highs in tackles (44), passes defended (nine) and interceptions (4). He was named First-team All-SEC for his efforts.

McCoy is making his way back from ACL surgery, so the Bears and other teams may need to wait before seeing him in action during the 2025 campaign. However, his athletic intangibles are undeniable. If he is able to return to his strong level of play post-injury, it wouldn’t be surprising to see McCoy surge up draft boards come the actual 2026 NFL Draft.

For now, the Bears are focused on winning and establishing Johnson’s culture. But if his plans don’t go as smoothly as expected, the 2026 draft will be a point of discussion in Chicago sooner rather than later.

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While the Chicago Bears have bolstered nearly every element of their offense, running back remains one of the team’s biggest question marks. As teams across the NFL start crunching down their rosters, more talented running backs should soon become available.

One name already on the market is Brian Robinson Jr of the Washington Commanders. He has been phased out of the Commanders’ offense, with the team preferring rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Leading into the preseason finale, Robinson’s name has been one of the most talked about in trade circles.

But despite the Bears’ perceived need at running back, Robinson may not be Chicago’s best option. While things could always change based on injuries or performance, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune doesn’t see a Robinson trade coming to fruition.

“I’d be surprised if the Bears traded for Robinson, and I kind of doubt they’d trade for any running back right now. Keep in mind 25 running backs were drafted in April. A handful of those already have taken the jobs of veterans and sent players to the street seeking work,” Biggs wrote. “More will be available very soon after teams reduce their rosters to 53 by the 3 p.m. Tuesday deadline. Any teams in the market for depth at the position will have many, many options to sort through after rosters are trimmed. Why trade for a running back when you can sign one with similar skills for less money in a few days?

Imagining Brian Robinson Jr on Chicago Bears

If the Commanders really can’t find a trade partner for Robinson, they may have no other choice than to release him. Acquiring the running back through those means seems much more palatable for the Bears. He won’t be the only running back the franchise has their eyes on when rosters start shrinking.

Over his three years with the Commanders, Robinson ran for  2,329 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also added 65 receptions for 587 yards and five touchdowns through the air. Being a dual-threat weapon would play well in head coach Ben Johnson’s offense.

Furthermore, Chicago’s running back coach Eric Bieniemy was with the Commanders in 2023. As offensive coordinator, he helped Robinson run for 733 yards and five touchdowns. His 36 receptions, 368 yards and four touchdowns in the passing game were all career-highs.

There is a reason Robinson has fallen out of favor in Washington. Chicago’s brass would need to due some due diligence before making any Robinson deal final. But if the Bears seriously want to upgrade the running back room, Robinson is available for trade and potentially even as a free agent down the line.

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Quarterback Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears starting unit put on a show against the Buffalo Bills, helping lead the way to a 38-0 victory. When the Bears take on the Kansas City Chiefs in their preseason finale, Williams and company will have an opportunity to prove it’s not a fluke.

Head coach Ben Johnson confirmed that the starters will play against the Chiefs, via Kay Adams of Up & Adams. Like Week 2, Johnson didn’t confirm how much time they will play. But Bears fans will at least be excited to see the first-team in action.

“Yep,” Johnson emphatically confirmed about the starters playing. “We’ll see how long it is. We’re going to get through a couple days here of practice and we’ll determine for how long. But we need to go through this.”

Ben Johnson says the @Bears starters WILL PLAY against the Chiefs to end the preseason.

Game 3 is Friday night at Arrowhead.

pic.twitter.com/KF44UbEVeU

— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) August 19, 2025

What to watch for in Chicago Bears preseason finale 

Chicago’s defense has stolen the show over their first two preseason matchups. Injuries are starting to pile up, with cornerback Terell Smith being the latest to go down. However, another strong performance against the Chiefs will have the team’s defense considered one of the league’s best entering the regular season.

Most of the focus in the preseason finale will go to the offense, however. How Williams plays in Johnson’s new system will determine just how far the Bears go. It was just two series against a second-team defense, but the quarterback proved he is making massive strides by orchestrating a 92-yard touchdown drive against the Bills.

Outside of quarterback, the left tackle battling will be hitting its peak. Whoever gets the start should be assumed the heavy favorite to start entering Week 1. With Theo Benedet coming on strong, Braxton Jones remaining in the starting lineup would be extremely telling. All left tackle options will need to be at the top of their game against the Chiefs to stay in the race.

Elsewhere on the offense, Chicago’s brass will want to see rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden further acclimated in the offense. Both have shown flashes of brilliance, but a consistent connection with Williams would go a long way towards massive rookie production.

Since it’s a preseason matchup, everything must be taken with a grain of salt. But all eyes will be on Williams and the Bears when the quarterback faces off with the Chiefs.

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The Chicago Bears went all-in on Caleb Williams, trading away fellow quarterback Justin Fields before making the former Heisman winner their No. 1 overall pick. But before the Bears selected Williams, the QB was a bit weary of Chicago’s offensive plans.

While the team decided to retain head coach Matt Eberflus, the Bears made a switch at offensive coordinator. Shane Waldron was hired after his run with the Seattle Seahawks. Now, he was going to be tasked with building an offense around Williams.

The quarterback wasn’t too sure of how those plans would unfold, via Jeremy Fowler and Turron Davenport of ESPN. After doing some research on his own, Williams questioned if Waldron was the right offensive coordinator to help grow his game.

“A source with direct knowledge of Williams’ predraft process said Williams’ fact-finding mission about his new team soured him on Waldron, who was the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator before joining Chicago in January 2024,” Fowler and Davenport wrote. “Among chief concerns, the source said, were whether personalities would jell and how Waldron would use him.”

‘”Whoever he talked to in Seattle didn’t give him the best reviews,”‘ the source said. Waldron, now on Jacksonville’s staff, declined to comment for this story,” they concluded.

Chicago Bears hit reset button for Caleb Williams 

Williams’ assessment of Waldron turned out to be correct. The Bears pulled the plug and fired him after their 4-5 start. Chicago then finished their season ranked dead-last in total offense, averaging just 284.6 yards per game.

Williams set a pair of rookie passing records for yardage (3,541) and touchdowns (20). However, he failed to live up to his No. 1 pick status. Especially with No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels going on to win Rookie of the Year. While Williams had flashes, he was unable to string together consistent high level play.

There are certainly things he’ll need to improve on, but the coaching staff did Williams no favors. That was evident when the Bears made Matt Eberflus the first head coach ever to be fired midseason in Bears history. Then, Chicago managed to hire Ben Johnson as his replacement, arguably the best offensive mind in the NFL.

The pressure is now on Williams’ shoulders. With a new staff and roster in place, the quarterback has been put in a place to succeed. He was able to sniff out the problem with Waldron beforehand. But now, there are no more excuses should the former No. 1 overall pick not live up to the hype.

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All offseason, the Chicago Bears were expected to bring in a big name running back for head coach Ben Johnson’s new offense. However, the only standout addition Chicago made came in the form of seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai.

The rookie has gotten plenty of buzz throughout the offseason. As have the two running backs in front of him in D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson. But this is still a Bears team that ranked 25th overall in rushing during the 2024 campaign, averaging 102 yards per game. Chicago’s running back problems didn’t magical disappear.

But luckily for the Bears, a new rushing option has emerged. The Washington Commanders are reportedly fielding trade offers for Brian Robinson Jr. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report thinks the Bears should put in an offer, specifically guard Ryan Bates and a 2026 fourth-rounder, to bring Robinson to the Windy City.

“As the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator between 2022 and 2024, Bears head coach Ben Johnson built his offense around a robust ground attack,” Moton wrote. “He inherited a roster with D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson as a backfield duo, but Chicago could make a move for a player who’s familiar with running backs coach Eric Bieniemy.”

How Brian Robinson Jr affects Chicago Bears 

Swift seems poised to enter the year as Chicago’s starting running back based on how the Bears operated over the offseason. However, if the team were to give up any significant capital for Robinson, he would be poised to have a feature role. If Swift struggles again, he averaged 3.8 yards per carry in his Bears debut, Robinson would likely be given an opportunity to earn the lead role. Johnson and Monangai will still have roles, making things a little tricky.

But there’s no denying adding Robinson into the fold would make the Bears’ running back room much more dynamic. Over his three years with the Commanders, the running back has gained 2,329 yards and 15 touchdowns. Proving to be a dual-threat, Robinson has also caught 65 passes for 587 yards and an additional.

Working in the Bears’ favor on a potential trade is the fact Eric Bieniemy is the team’s new running backs coach. He was Robinson’s offensive coordinator in 2023. That season, he ran for 733 yards and five touchdowns while setting new career-highs in receptions (36) receiving yardage (368) and touchdown grabs (four).

While he ran for 799 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024, Robinson has now fallen out of favor in the Commanders’ offense. If the Bears really wanted a spark in the run game, perhaps trading for the 26-year-old is their best option.

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Greg Olsen is well aware of how to succeed as a tight end for the Chicago Bears. As he watched the team’s 38-0 takedown of the Buffalo Bills, Olsen got a full view of new head coach Ben Johnson’s dynamic tight end plans.

Despite already having Cole Kmet on their roster, the Bears used their No. 10 overall pick on Colston Loveland. Still, head coach Ben Johnson was known to run plenty of 12 personnel during his time with the Detroit Lions. Furthermore, both players give the Bears completely different skillsets, allowing Johnson to be versatile in how he draws up plays for his tight ends.

Against the Bills, Kmet caught a long pass up the middle for 29 yards while Loveland made a pair of grabs for 26 yards. Both were featured in the offense when the starters were on the field. Olsen doesn’t think that’ll go away anytime soon once the regular season begins, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

“I do think the consistency of early down 12 personnel with Cole and Colston, I think that is something they’re going to want to continue to major in,” Olsen said. “I think that’s going to be a big part of their offense.”

“Their ability to go between 11 big with Cole and 11 faster with Colston is kind of similar to what me and Dez (Clark) used to do early in my career,” he continued. “And then the 12 personnel stuff with DJ, Rome and obviously Luther the rookie, who they love, and Olamide, that’s a really good group of guys that you can build different personnel groupings with. You don’t draft a tight end 10th overall if you don’t have big visions for what he can do.”

Ben Johnson ready to unleash Chicago Bears tight end tandem 

The Bears made Loveland the first tight end off of the 2025 draft board primarily due to his pass-catching ability. Johnson found massive success with Sam LaPorta during his time on the Lions. Now, Loveland is the head coach’s next chess piece to mold.

During his three years at Michigan, Loveland caught 117 passes for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns. Now in Chicago, Johnson will be looking to get Loveland open in space. The tight end will be a mismatch for most linebackers due to his size and athleticism. Which is exactly why Johnson had to have him in his first Bears offense.

Kmet has been with the franchise since 2020, appearing in 84 games. He has been a staple of the offense, catching 258 passes for 2,592 yards and 19 touchdowns. Kmet will continue to operate as a safety blanket for Williams while Johnson is adamant he’ll remain a key piece of the offense. While it was just one play in a preseason game, Kmet proved his connection with Williams remains strong.

Johnson will need to figure out exactly how to make all the tight end puzzle pieces fit together. But all of Chicago’s opponents are going to have a difficult time stopping the one-two punch at tight end.

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While it may have just been preseason play, the Chicago Bears put on a show against the Buffalo Bills and came away with an impressive 38-0 victory. There were plenty of standouts on Chicago’s side, but the team’s quarterback play drew arguably the most attention.

Bears fans got their first look at Caleb Williams playing under head coach Ben Johnson. That resulted in Chicago’s QB1 completing six-of-10 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. Williams led the Bears on a 92-yard touchdown drive to open up the game.

After one more drive with the starters, the Bears turned to their second-string unit. Tyson Bagent was given an opportunity to shine, and he surely did, completing 13-of-22 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown. As it stands, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune believes Bagent has all but locked up the backup quarterback gig.

“Veteran Case Keenum missed the game with a leg injury, and if third-year man Tyson Bagent didn’t have the spot already secured, he locked it down,” Biggs wrote.

“Some have wondered if the Bears could potentially turn Bagent into a trade chip. Now? No way,” he continued. “For starters, another team would probably want to lean into regular-season performance to really feel motivated to make a move. But given the Bears quarterback history, if they’re potentially developing a homegrown undrafted talent, why in the world would they consider dealing him when so many teams, because of injuries, are forced to play with two quarterbacks during a season? It doesn’t add up at this point.”

Tyson Bagent poised to earn Chicago Bears QB2 role

With Case Keenum not playing due to his leg injury, it may be unfair to call the battle finished without him getting his rebuttals. But an 11-year NFL veteran, the Bears are well aware of what they have in Keenum. By having Bagent serve in the backup role, Chicago is ensuring they have a playmaking backup in place should Williams ever suffer an injury.

Of course, if everything goes to how the Bears are planning, Bagent wouldn’t see the field much in 2025 outside of kneel down scenarios. But teams like the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys have seen firsthand what happens if you don’t have a solid backup quarterback in place. Bagent may not yet have name brand value across the NFL, but he has certainly proven he can handle Johnson’s offense when called upon.

A former undrafted free agent from DII Shepherd University, it’s impressive enough that Bagent has been able to stick in the NFL. He even won a pair of games during the four starts he earned as a rookie. It’s clear there was a steep learning curve, as he threw for 859 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. But Bagent at least knows what it’s like to be thrown into the fire.

From Week 3 of the preseason to however long the Bears’ season ends up going, all eyes will be on Williams. But if disaster were to strike, the pressure would all be thrown onto Bagent’s shoulders.

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With a number of troubling training camp performances, the Chicago Bears offense was out to prove the doubters wrong in their Week 2 preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills. While the starters only played a few series, they helped set the tone for what would be a dominating 38-0 victory.

Quarterback Caleb Williams played two series total, putting together a strong performance. He completed six-of-10 passes for 107 and a touchdown. Williams’ most impressive feat was leading Chicago down the field on a seven-play, 92-yard scoring drive. His 36-yard touchdown pass to Olamide Zaccheaus had many around the NFL world seeing the vision when it comes to Williams.

The Wizard of OZ

: FOX pic.twitter.com/MhxRv8LvKz

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 18, 2025

Still, Williams knows there is still work to be done. The Bills were playing their second-string defense after all. But more importantly, head coach Ben Johnson has been preaching the importance of reps. Williams’ opening drive surely opened eyes. But if he truly wants to live up to his No. 1 pick potential, the quarterback understands consistency will be even more impressive, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

“To (go back) a month ago, I think I’ve grown a lot,” Williams said. “Now, my mindset is to keep growing. It’s been my mindset since I’ve been a little child, to keep growing. Where I see myself, I think the idea is to be able to handle every single thing that I can and everything that Ben says I should be able to handle. If that’s handling everything at the line, handling everything and taking things off of other people’s plates, that’s what it is. Being able to do that consistently over the next couple of years is important for me.”

Chicago Bears counting on Ben Johnson-Caleb Williams tandem 

Johnson was hired predominantly due to his offensive acumen and ability to help Williams reach new heights. In turn, Johnson chose the Bears over a litany of other suitors largely due to the quarterback situation in place. In Chicago’s Week 2 preseason matchup, Johnson started to see just how strong Williams can be.

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The Chicago Bears were hoping to evaluate their entire rookie class throughout training camp. However, a day one injury has kept one of their more intriguing defensive draftees off the field.

The third of three second-round picks, Chicago made Turner the No. 62 overall pick in the 2025. His explosiveness and versatility both caught the Bears’ attention. But just as he was about to show the team’s brass what he is made of, quite literally the first day of training camp, Turner suffered an ankle injury.

While his development may have started a bit slow, Chicago will now finally get their first look at what Turner offers the Bears defense. He made his return to practice during Friday’s fully-padded joint session with the Buffalo Bills, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

#Bears 2nd round pick Shemar Turner (ankle) is on the practice field this morning for the first time since the opening practice of camp. We will see what the DT does today. A good sign.

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 15, 2025

What Shemar Turner offers Chicago Bears 

Turner played all over the defensive line during his time at Texas A&M. While the Bears may eventually use him in a multi-faceted role, they’re beginning his NFL career at defensive tackle. On Chicago’s first unofficial depth chart, he was listed amongst the third-team. But now healthy, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Turner carve out a crucial role as a rookie.

During his time with the Aggies, the defensive lineman put up 115 tackles, 24 for a loss and 10 sacks. As a junior, he set new career-highs with 11 tackles for a loss, six sacks and two forced fumbles. Turner was awarded Second-team All-SEC honors for his efforts.

The Bears are poised to start Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter with Billings and Turner behind them. For a rookie, the second-rounder will have plenty of strong mentors to lean on. If he is able to adapt to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s scheme well, Turner will only earn more shares of the defensive tackle pie.

But all of that was just hypothetical aspirations until Turner actually returned to the field. The fact he was out so long may mean he needs some ramp up time before battling in training camp at full-go. But there was a time where Turner playing Week 1 seemed unlikely. He’ll still need to earn his role and avoid any further setbacks. However, the Bears are at least excited to see their second-round rookie competing in training camp again.

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The Chicago Bears will go as far as quarterback Caleb Williams does. One of the biggest reasons Ben Johnson was hired as head coach was his perceived ability to elevate Williams’ game. But throughout training camp, the Bears have seen more hiccups than heroics.

Until the regular season commences, it’s hard to truly evaluate Williams’ play. Practices have been high intensity under Johnson, but they aren’t the equivalent of live action. If the quarterback were to struggle against the Buffalo Bills in their Week 2 preseason matchup, then some alarms might start going off.

But for now, Williams’ biggest sin is not hitting the 70 percent completion percent mark Johnson wanted him to hit in practice. While the quarterback has been improving, Johnson knows Williams still must take a giant leap forward before he reaches his true No. 1 pick ceiling, via the team’s Friday press conference.

Coach Johnson is speaking with the media https://t.co/9RpoejSp1w

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 15, 2025

Chicago Bears go all-in on Caleb Williams 

If anyone thought the Bears were ready to give up on Williams after his rocky rookie season, their offseason moves proved otherwise in a hurry. But at the same time, there are no more excuses. Chicago has given Williams the keys to the castle. He must prove he is who the franchise thought he was at No. 1.

But having a coach like Johnson in his corner should only help matters. He came to the Bears considered one of the strongest offensive minds in the NFL. Since linking up with Williams, the head coach has been diligent and aggressive, refusing to coddle the quarterback despite his draft standing. Johnson demands excellence, and the Bears are hopeful that’ll resonate with Williams.

On the field, the quarterback will have a brand new offensive line in front of him. The Bears traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson before signing center Drew Dalman in free agency. Chicago was aggressive in ensuring Williams isn’t sacked a league-high 68 times again in 2025.

When he looks downfield to pass, the quarterback will have a litany of talented pass catchers to target. Rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden joined an already serviceable core of DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet. Opposing defenses are going to have a difficult time stopping all of Chicago’s options if Williams is on top of his game.

But if the quarterback continues to struggle, the Bears will find themselves in the same exact spot, answering similarly dreary questions in 2026.

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When training camp opened, the Chicago Bears began hosting a crucial three-man battle for the starting left tackle job. As the Bears’ Week 2 preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills approaches, head coach Ben Johnson is no closer to making a starting decision.

In fact, the competition has now expanded to four names, with former undrafted free agent Theo Benedet joining the battle. Kiran Amegadjie has dealt with injuries, hurting his chances in the race. However, neither Braxton Jones or Ozzy Trapilo has done enough to fully stake their claim as the starter.

Through joint practices and the preseason matchup, Chicago’s left tackles will be under a microscope. Ultimately, Johnson is still hoping to find the perfect option at the position, via the team’s Friday press conference.

“Hopefully some clarity, that’s what we’re looking for,” Johnson said. “This thing has gone on now three and a half weeks. We’ll go as long as we need to go to find the right guy. But we’d like to see someone go ahead and make it clear to us that he is that guy. We just haven’t seen that yet as a staff, been too much up and down. We’d love to solidify that spot and move forward from there.”

When the Bears do make their decision, Johnson isn’t looking to rotate out guys mid game. But if the starter struggles with their upgraded responsibilities, the head coach won’t be afraid to make a change.

“It might be one of those things where, when we make that decision, it may not be final for the whole season,” Johnson said. “It could be, we have to reassess after a couple weeks, or by the bye week. It might be something that goes on. Wouldn’t be ideal, but that’s the nature of the league.”

Theo Benedet joins Chicago Bears battle 

Before training camp, Benedet was a forgotten man on Chicago’s roster. He was rarely brought up in the left tackle battle, if ever. Simply put, he was more of a roster cut than a potential Week 1 start. But how quickly the tides have turned for the former UDFA. Putting up an impressive camp performer, Benedet is flying up the depth chart and catching the eye of his head coach.

“He’s right in the middle of it,” Johnson said of where Benedet stands in the left tackle battle. “I’ve been very, very excited about Theo, what he’s done both on the right and the left side. I think he was probably overlooked to start this competition. But the longer this thing has gone on. There’s a strong argument for what he has put on tape.”

If Benedet is actually in the running for the left tackle job is yet to be seen. There is still time before Week 1, but it would be a shock to see one of Jones, Trapilo or Amegadjie not get the job. Regardless of optics though, Johnson is continuing to bang the Benedet drum, as he earned first-team left tackle duties to open joint practices against the Bills.

Theo Benedet remains with the ones at left tackle during the first 11 on 11 period of the day.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 15, 2025

Benedet has yet to take a snap at the NFL, spending most of the season on Chicago’s practice squad in 2024. But Johnson wiped the slate clean upon his arrival. With he and the coaching staff trying to concoct the best Bears roster they can, Benedet is now at least being given an opportunity to steal the starting left tackle job.

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By Aug. 26, the Chicago Bears must cut their roster down to 53 players. General manager Ryan Poles, head coach Ben Johnson and company will have a number of difficult decisions to make.

When it comes to the cornerback position, things are made easy for the Bears at the top. Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson are locked in as starters when healthy. There will be lengthy conversations on who should fill the depth chart after them, although training camp has revealed a few standouts at the position.

One rookie who has yet to make an impact is fifth-rounder Zah Frazier. He has been away from the team due to a personal matter. While he shouldn’t be at fault for his excused absence, Scott Bair of the Marquee Sports Network left him off his 53-man roster projection. Johnson, Gordon, Stevenson, Terell Smith, Nahshon Wright and Josh Blackwell are the six cornerbacks that do make the roster in Bair’s projection.

“I have no idea what to do about Zah Frazier. The Bears valued him enough to use a fifth-rounder on him and there are certainly some teams who probably liked him entering the draft, so expecting him to clear waivers is a tall order. But he hasn’t been around at all due to personal reasons.”

“You have to respect that, but this cornerback grouping is so deep and talented,” Bair continued. “Every single one of the guys above deserves a spot. Do you try to sneak him on the practice squad? That might be tough, but it would be tough to let a guy go before seeing him work over a longer term. Can’t find a right answer here.”

Chicago Bears cornerbacks step up in training camp

Both Johnson and Gordon have dealt with injuries throughout camp, giving other cornerbacks an opportunity to shine. Wright and Smith in particular have drawn a ton of attention. If they continue their strong play, it’s only going to become more difficult for Frazier to sneak onto the roster.

Wright began working with the starters when Johnson went down. Formerly of the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings, the cornerback signed a one-year contract with the Bears over the offseason. Standing 6-foot-4, he is much lankier than your average cornerback. That size, coupled with his ability to backup Johnson, will help Wright’s chances of making the final roster.

Smith was a big winner of joint practices with the Miami Dolphins. He nearly had an interception in their preseason matchup and was a menace in coverage throughout practice and the game. For a player battling to earn more opportunities, the cornerback has done exactly what the coaching staff is looking for.

It’s hard to blame Frazier. Whatever his personal matter is is much bigger than football right now. But cut day is looming, and the Bears have a serious decision to make.

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Outside of quarterback Caleb Williams, wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze are the biggest names in the Chicago Bears’ passing attack. Perhaps rookies Luther Burden or Colston Loveland, maybe even veteran Cole Kmet can dethrone them with a strong season. But as Ben Johnson prepares to unleash his offense on the Windy City, an unheralded name is catching everyone’s attention.

The Bears signed Olamide Zaccheaus to a one-year contract during the offseason. It fell a bit under the radar, based on the other roster moves Chicago was making at the time. But now, the veteran receiver looks poised to hold a massive role in Johnson’s new-look offense.

Wednesday’s practice further emphasized that point. He specifically made three straight catches during an end-of-half drill. Whenever the Bears practice, it seems like Zaccheaus’ name is being brought up. That isn’t lost on wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle-El, via Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic.

“OZ is the F-receiver in this offense. It’s a big deal, because you’re asked to do a lot as it relates to blocking and as it relates to running certain routes,” wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Antwaan Randle-El said. “That’s why you see it showing up with him a lot, because he has understood it. He’s getting in the spot where he needs to be all the time and he’s able to make the plays. I believe he’ll continue to do that as well.”

Olamide Zaccheaus’ role on Chicago Bears 

Even with his strong training camp performance, Zaccheaus is at least behind Moore and Odunze on the depth chart. Eventually, Loveland and Burden will have larger roles while Kmet isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. But filling a secondary receiving role has been something Zaccheaus has excelled at throughout his career.

Mostly serving as no-higher than the third wide receiver for every team he has played for, Zaccheaus has made 149 receptions for 1,998 yards and 13 touchdowns over his six-year NFL career. As a member of the Washington Commanders in 2024, he set a new career-high with 45 receptions, going for 506 yards and three touchdowns.

Zaccheaus will be asked to fill open space all over the field. If teams are paying too close attention to Moore and Odunze, then Zaccheaus will be open. If the Bears need a few yards to move the chains, the veteran will once again be a top option. Especially with his growing chemistry with Williams, Zaccheaus is set to fill a crucial role in the offense even if he isn’t breaking the box score weekly.

Chicago is expected to take a massive step forward in the passing game with Johnson instilled as head coach. Zaccheaus wasn’t the Bears’ biggest addition this offseason, but he is already proving to be a diamond in the rough.

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When Chicago Bears training camp opened, it was announced that star cornerback Jaylon Johnson is dealing with a long-term leg injury. While he hasn’t been able to make his injury return at any point, head coach Ben Johnson isn’t panicking just yet.

The regular season is drawing closer, with the Bears preparing for their second preseason matchup. Johnson still has time to make his return, but the chances of him suiting up during the preseason are looking bleak. Chicago knows that if the cornerback were to miss any regular season action, it’d be a major blow to their defense.

Johnson, the head coach, is hoping the cornerback’s injury doesn’t come to that. He is remaining optimistic and says Johnson, the cornerback, is still headed on the right path to return, via Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic.

“He is right on track. Everything I said last time,” Johnson said. “He is right where he needs to be. Those types of injuries, you don’t know short term, long term. Everyone is a little bit different. But I think we’re going in the right direction right now.”

Jaylon Johnson’s run with Chicago Bears 

The Bears originally selected Johnson with the No. 50 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was a difference maker from the minute he came to Chicago. But over his last two seasons, the cornerback has hit a different gear.

Johnson has been named to the Pro Bowl back-to-back years. In 2023, he made 36 tackles alongside career-highs in passes defended (10) and interceptions (fours). While his passes defended (eight) and interceptions (two) fell in 2024, Johnson set a new career-best with 53 tackles. Furthermore, his 76.2 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 20/222 cornerbacks.

Playing in the daunted NFC North, having a cornerback like Johnson is crucial. He’ll go toe-to-toe with any opposing team’s top receiver. The cornerback has laid forth some lofty goals for himself in 2025, including being named an All-Pro. But there’s no doubting another strong campaign would have Johnson amongst the upper echelon of current NFL cornerbacks.

But the first step in that plan is getting back onto the gridiron. Johnson thinks everything is going to plan and Johnson will be ready for Week 1. But the Bears would be more confident seeing the cornerback return to practice at some point during training camp.

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When the Chicago Bears opened training camp, the team began a three-headed competition for the starting left tackle job. But now, it appears as if another name could be creeping into the race.

On Wednesday, former undrafted free agent Theo Benedet saw reps with the first-team offense, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Rookie Ozzy Trapilo, who is battling with Braxton Jones for the left tackle job, was working at second-string right tackle.

The fact Benedet saw first team reps doesn’t mean he is immediately in line with Trapilo and Jones. However, he certainly caught the eye of offensive line coach Dan Roushar.

“There’s a lot of things to really like about Theo,” Roushar said. “He’s had probably as much improvement as any player we have in the group. With that, there’s a lot of things for him to improve on and he knows that and we’ve got to work on it. He is working his tail off. He has put himself in a position to go compete for a job somewhere in this group.”

What Chicago Bears have in Theo Benedet 

Benedet’s first-team reps may have just been a flash in the plan. If the Bears are planning for Trapilo to operate as a swing tackle, it would make sense to get him some reps on the right side as well. But regardless of where Trapilo is playing, Chicago clearly thinks Benedet has something to offer the offensive line.

“It stands to reason the coaching staff wants Trapilo to train on both sides if he’s going to be the swing tackle,” Biggs wrote. “He has focused almost exclusively at left tackle since arriving. Roushar said as the line gets healthier — Amegadjie was on the field for the last two practices after missing more than a week with a leg injury — the Bears will have the flexibility to mix and match.

After going undrafted in 2024, Benedet signed with the Bears and spent the year on the practice squad. Because of that, it’s hard to truly gauge how ready he would be for NFL competition. At the very least, he at least understands how Chicago operates, although there is a new coaching staff in place. The team brought him back for a reason.

As the regular season draws closer, the Bears will want to have their starting offensive line in place. By then, it’ll be evident if Benedet’s first-team playing time is legit. But that would be one of the bigger shocks to come out of Chicago recently, as it seems likely Jones or Trapilo will be manning Caleb Williams’ blindside come Week 1.

The post Crucial Chicago Bears position battle sees another contender emerge appeared first on ChiCitySports.

One of the biggest areas of emphasis of the Chicago Bears’ offseason was improving their offseason line. After allowing Caleb Williams to get sacked a league-high 68 times as a rookie, the Bears took an aggressive approach to fix the issue.

Chicago traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson before signing center Drew Dalman in free agency. While left tackle was still a question mark, the Bears looked extremely improved across their offensive line. Especially with Darnell Wright locked in at right tackle.

However, Wright’s recent play has drawn some questions from offensive line coach Dan Roushar. The Bears are still counting on him as their right tackle. But Roushar knows Wright must improve his play for Chicago’s offense to be successful, via Kaitlin Sharkey of WGNTV.

“A little bit too inconsistent,” Roushar said. “There’s moments when we look at it, when he loses focus or fatigue starts to set in, we see a decline in play, but when he’s on point, I’ve seen Darnell do some things that you get excited about.”

“He’s just not been able to stack it play after play after play, which isn’t uncommon for a young player,” he continued. “There are moments where I’ve seen the growth…is it as fast as I want it or he wants it to be? No. My job is to inspire & get him there and understand exactly what we’re doing and challenge him when it’s not right.”

Bears OL coach Dan Roushar on RT Darnell Wright:

”A little bit too inconsistent. There’s moments when we look at it, when he loses focus or fatigue starts to set in, we see a decline in play, but when he’s on point, I’ve seen Darnell do some things that you get excited about.… pic.twitter.com/ijCUJ1rMTU

— Kaitlin Sharkey (@KRoseSharkey) August 13, 2025

Chicago Bears counting on Darnell Wright 

When the Bears first began deciphering their left tackle issue, the idea of moving Wright over was approached. However, that plan was quickly squashed as head coach Ben Johnson committed to him staying on the right. Chicago is confident that Wright is a building block of the offensive line. But he won’t be handed anything and must show improvement under Roushar’s watch.

Luckily for the Bears, Wright has been a standout since being selected No. 10 overall in 2023 NFL Draft. He has started 33 games for the team thus far, including 16 in 2024. The right tackle’s 79.3 grade ranked 16/140 at the position. Wright was solid as a pass blocker with his 75.4 grade ranking 35th and excelled as a run blocker, ranking seventh with his 82.2 grade.

Inconsistency has been the mantra of Bears training camp thus far. The team will stack together strong play, and then shoot themselves in the foot with sloppy antics. Wright is clearly amongst that bunch despite entering his third season. Everyone is learning a new system under Johnson and they all must prove they can adapt.

Wright will still enter Week 1 at right tackle for the Bears. But Roushar is going to keep close watch on him to ensure the tackle’s play doesn’t fall off.

The post Chicago Bears see ‘decline in play’ from 2023 1st-round pick appeared first on ChiCitySports.

When it comes to Chicago Bears position battles, most are focused on left tackle. However, on the defensive side, an underrated training camp competition has just taken a crucial turn.

Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards are the questioned leaders in the linebacker room. However, after them is a number of unheralded names. Mainly, third-year man Noah Sewell and rookie Ruben Hyppolite have been battling for the third linebacker spot.

It’s a competition that should last throughout camp. But Sewell’s performance against the Miami Dolphins in the Bears’ preseason opener has given him an advantage. As it stands, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune believes Sewell holds the edge over Hyppolite for the strong-side linebacker role.

“Sewell played really well against the Dolphins, and the strong-side linebacker job looks like his to lose,” Biggs wrote. “He was on the field for 31 snaps and made six tackles, tied for the team high. He stuffed Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright for a 3-yard loss on fourth-and-goal from the 1 and added a forced fumble.”

“This is Sewell’s time and he needs to remain healthy. Injuries during the summer and season have slowed him. If he’s healthy, he should be able to get on the field for 20% to 30% of the defensive snaps. The Bears will employ a heavy dose of nickel packages, and Dennis Allen has shown us more dime looks in practice than we’ve seen the past couple of years. We’ve also seen some 5-2 alignments with five defensive linemen.”

Noah Sewell entering make-or-break season with Chicago Bears

Sewell was originally selected by the Bears with the No. 148 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Since joining the team, the linebacker has appeared in 22 games, making 13 tackles and two forced fumbles. However, only 32 of his snaps have come on defense, Biggs notes.

Still, Sewell’s performance against the Dolphins will go a long way towards earning him the strong-side linebacker role. Overall, he tied for the team lead with six tackles and forced a fumble. The linebacker really made a name for himself when he stopped Dolphins running back Isiah Wright on fourth-and-short to force a turnover.

3rd-year linebacker Noah Sewell shining on defense

Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/E7HDdO5vIz

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2025

Hyppolite did match Sewell’s six tackles. Furthermore, he is a clear favorite of defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s. However, if Sewell continues being disruptive throughout the preseason, the Bears won’t be able to take him off the field.

Still, the linebacker has much more to prove than one standout performance. If he is able to show consistency and has a strong outing against the Bills, then Sewell’s grip on the third linebacker job will only get stronger.

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To the dismay of many Chicago Bears fans, head coach Ben Johnson decided to rest Caleb Williams and many of the starters for their preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins. But those fans won’t have the same issue when the Bears take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.

Johnson has announced that the starters will play against Buffalo, via the team’s Wednesday press conference. It’s not yet known how much time they’ll actually see. However, the Bears will at least finally get their first taste of what their roster as a whole looks like against real live competition.

Coach Johnson announced that starters will play in Sunday’s preseason game against the Bills pic.twitter.com/3SbDitj4O4

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 13, 2025

While it’s a preseason matchup, playing against the Bills will be a strong test for the Bears. Chicago’s defense, spearheaded by three sacks from Austin Booker, put on a show against the Dolphins. But now they’ll be facing off against reigning MVP Josh Allen. With players like Montez Sweat, Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards back in the fold, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will fully understand how his unit stacks up against one of the best.

On the flip side, Buffalo is no slouch on defense and just added Joey Bosa to their ranks. It’ll be a true test for Williams on the offense. How they perform will shape the national narrative around the team. If Williams proves he has a strong grasp of Johnson’s offense, the Bears’ arrow will only shoot up.

What to watch for in Chicago Bears’ second preseason game

Williams, Williams and more Williams. The quarterback will make or break Chicago’s season. It might just be one preseason game, but the Bears franchise star needs as many reps as he can get.

Elsewhere on offense, the left tackle battle should start to take form against the Bills. Whoever earns the starting nod will be in the driver’s seat entering Week 1. But both Braxton Jones and Ozzy Trapilo must prove they can hang. An impressive performance against the Bills might win the competition for either tackle.

Chicago will be further implementing their rookies into the offense. Fans should keep their eyes on Colston Loveland and Luther Burden to see how they operate with Williams under center.

It’s not yet known if players like Kyler Gordon or Jaylon Johnson will suit up, it seems unlikely at least the latter will. But with Sweat, Edwards, Edmunds and numerous defensive starters back, the Bears can really bring the pressure. They’ve had an aggressive identity on that side of the ball all offseason. If that carries over to when most of the starting unit is playing, it’ll be telling of Chicago’s intentions in 2025.

Of course, like any preseason game, it should all be taken with a grain of salt. But after banging the table to see Williams in action, Bears fans have now gotten their wish granted.

The post Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson makes final Caleb Williams decision for Bills preseason battle appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Head coach Ben Johnson’s first draft class with the Chicago Bears will help define the franchise’s foundation. Before he has even coached a regular season down, Johnson and the coaching staff have been blown away by one key Bears rookie.

Chicago selected wide receiver Luther Burden with the No. 39 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While the Bears already had DJ Moore and Rome Odunze on their roster, Johnson couldn’t resist adding Burden to his offense. So far, that gamble has proven to be a winning one.

Burden still needs to suit up and play in the regular season before he is deemed a draft winner. However, the Bears coaching staff couldn’t be more excited by what they’ve seen from the rookie, via NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

“Several Chicago coaches tell me there’s no hiding Burden’s immense talent,” Schultz wrote. “It’s far better than where he was taken in Round 2, and if he masters the details, his “upside is huge.”

#Bears rookie WR Luther Burden III has earned strong praise over the last week for the work he’s put in to grasp Ben Johnson’s offense, along with his attention to detail.

Several Chicago coaches tell me there’s no hiding Burden’s immense talent … it’s far better than where he… pic.twitter.com/AE4Exgl6WM

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 13, 2025

Chicago Bears boost pass game with Luther Burden

During quarterback Caleb Williams’ rookie season, the Bears ranked second-to-last in pass offense, averaging 181.5 yards per game. With Johnson now instilled as head coach, Chicago is expected to jump up the rankings. While any passing success will be contingent on Williams, having Burden in the fold only gives him another dynamic weapon to throw to.

Over his three years at Missouri, the receiver caught 192 passes for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns. Burden never had less than 45 receptions and six touchdowns over his college career, breaking 600 yards his final two seasons. His real breakout came in 2023, when the former Tiger set new career-highs in receptions (86), yardage (1,212) and touchdowns (nine). He was awarded First-team All-SEC honors in 2023 and 2024.

With Moore and Odunze on the outside, Burden will spend most of his time on the Bears in the slot. It’s a role he excelled in during his time at Missouri. Overall, Johnson is going to scheme up ways to get the ball in Burden’s hands in open space. He was considered arguably the best after-the-catch receiver in the entire draft.

Bears fans had to wait a while to watch Burden perform due to offseason injuries. But now that he is back on the field, the second-round rookie has caught the attention of many around the NFL world. Perhaps most important, he’s made more than a strong first impression on Chicago’s coaching staff.

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Of all the winners from the Chicago Bears’ preseason opening tie against the Miami Dolphins, perhaps no player’s star shined brighter than defensive tackle Austin Booker. His performance has squarely put him on the map as Booker has become the talk of Chicago entering Week 2 of the preseason.

The pass rusher put up six tackles, four quarterback hits, three sacks and a forced fumble. He was consistently in the Dolphins’ backfield and was a force to be reckoned with each snap he played. Booker’s performance caught the eye of many around the NFL, including Bears head coach Ben Johnson, via Nicholas Moreano of Marquee Sports Network.

Booker is battling for a larger opportunity in Chicago’s pass rush rotation. With more outings like he had against the Dolphins, he’ll only earn a more expansive role under Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

“He was a factor the entire game,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson told reporters. “I think he ended up with, what, three sacks there? And just a menace. You really feed off of that, those negative plays like that. That’s obviously a huge thing in terms of ending drives.”

“Also, the offense that’s sitting on the side, they see that and feel that, and the momentum carries over to the other side of the ball as well, that we’re looking to capitalize on,” he continued. “We’re always looking to pick each other up, and you could certainly feel his impact on the game today.”

Austin Booker ready to make Chicago Bears impact 

The Bears originally selected Booker with the No. 144 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 games, registering 21 tackles, four quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks. Now entering his sophomore season, Chicago wants to see the defensive end continually taking a step forward.

Especially with the pass rush situation in front of him. Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo are locked into starting roles. However, the Bears are pretty barren in terms of depth behind them. If Booker stays living in opposing team’s backfields, it’ll be clear that he should be the next man up in the pass rush.

It’s telling that despite those glaring pass rush holes, the team has yet to dive back into the free agency well. Veterans like Za’Darius Smith and Jadeveon Clowney remain available. Yet, Johnson and company have opted to see what they have on their roster before making any decisions.

Booker’s Dolphins performance may skew the franchise even further from making an outside addition. However, he needs more than just one good game to earn a sizable role in Allen’s scheme.

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When the Chicago Bears opened training camp, a full-fledged three-headed battle commenced for the starting left tackle now. Now, the competition to block quarterback Caleb Williams’ blindside seems to have whittled down to two candidates.

Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie are Chicago’s three left tackle options at the moment. However, Amegadjie has been battling a leg injury that kept him out of the joint practice and preseason matchup against the Miami Dolphins. While he returned to practice Monday, Amegadjie is behind his fellow competitors.

In that preseason opener, Trapilo played 32 percent of the snaps while Trapilo played 50 percent. Jones earned the start, although the Bears rested many of their key starters. Overall, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle admitted that there has been some separation in the left tackle battle. But at the same time, there is still plenty of work to be done at the position entering Week 1, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

“I would say that both of them, there’s a lot of room for improvement,” Doyle said after watching Sunday’s film. “Really, it’s about who’s willing to make improvement on that performance, and keep accelerating to see who’s gonna be the guy there Week 1.”

“The tape doesn’t lie,” Doyle said. “It will become clearer and clearer as time goes on that one of those guys is going to separate themselves – in the eyes of the decision makers, of Ben (Johnson), of our front office, of the O-line coaches, of myself. But incomplete evaluation thus far. We still a lot of football left to play.”

Who will win Chicago Bears left tackle battle?

Jones entered the competition as the incumbent, having started 40 games since joining the Bears in 2022. However, he played in just 12 games during the 2024 campaign after a season-ending ankle injury. And that was after only playing 11 games a year prior. If Jones is going to retain his starting job, he must stay healthy above all else.

When on the field though, the tackle has been more than a serviceable option for Chicago. Despite his season ending early, Jones’ 77.4 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 21/140 tackles. His 70.2 run blocking grade ranked 35th while Jones had the 17th-highest pass blocking grade at 80.8. The Bears are looking for that kind of production from the tackle over a full 17-game season.

Trapilo is battling a completely different obstacle to the left tackle role. He was a standout during his time at Boston College, earning First-team All-ACC honors in 2024. However, most of his playing time came at right tackle. Now, Trapilo must not only make the NFL leap, but do so while playing on the opposite side of the offensive line.

Head coach Ben Johnson and company will continue to rotate starters until they figure out the best fit. But barring an unforeseen injury or transaction, Jones or Trapilo will be the Bears’ starting left tackle in Week 1.

The post Chicago Bears offensive coordinator reveals latest update in ongoing left tackle battle appeared first on ChiCitySports.

As Ben Johnson takes over as head coach, he is expected to introduce his dynamic offense to the Chicago Bears. More often than not, that’ll mean getting the ball into DJ Moore’s hands.

The wide receiver has been a stalwart of Chicago’s offense since joining the team by trade in 2023. He led the team with 140 targets in 2024. But even with Moore’s production, the Bears finished still finished the season ranked dead last in total offense, averaging 284.6 yards per game.

To help add another element to Chicago’s game, Johnson has been having Moore take reps out of the backfield. Learning the fundamentals of Johnson’s offense is difficult enough, but now rushing responsibilities are being placed on Moore’s plate. The wide receiver admits it is a difficult transition, but is willing to do whatever it takes to help the Bears succeed, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

“Just be an athlete at this point,’’ he said. ‘‘Just do it all and just attack it.’’

DJ Moore remains No. 1 WR in Chicago Bears’ new-look offense

Having your versatile wide receiver take handoffs out of the backfield has been experimented by numerous teams across the league. Perhaps most famously, the San Francisco 49ers had Deebo Samuel rush 202 times for 1,143 yards and 20 touchdowns over his six years with the team. While not as extreme, Johnson had Jameson Williams rush 11 times for 61 yards and a touchdown in his final year with the Detroit Lions. It appears the head coach wants to dig into that part of his bag of tricks once again.

Moore has received 57 carries over his seven-year career, gaining 431 yards and a touchdown, showing he does have some experience in the run game. With the Bears failing to add a big name running back during the offseason, they could turn to the wide receiver more often if they need a spark.

But that won’t change his crucial role in the passing game as well. Since joining the Bears, Moore has made 194 receptions for 2,330 yards and 14 touchdowns. Chicago may have a crowded receiving room with rookies Luther Burden and Colston Loveland joining the fray. But Moore is still undoubtedly the top receiver on the depth chart.

As training camp continues, it’ll be telling to see if Johnson has Moore consistently working out of the backfield. Regardless, the Bears have a clear goal of getting the ball into the wide receiver’s hands.

The post Chicago Bears’ DJ Moore drops 8-word message on new role under Ben Johnson appeared first on ChiCitySports.

While the Chicago Bears’ secondary is one of the team’s biggest strengths, the unit is a bit banged up heading into Week 2 of the preseason. The Bears decided to add three new names to their roster to help cover their injury losses.

When training camp opened, it was revealed that Jaylon Johnson is dealing with a multi-week leg injury. Then, Kyler Gordon was forced to leave practice with a hamstring injury. It is yet to be seen how much time each cornerback will miss.

In the meantime, the Bears needed extra bodies in their secondary. So, they signed safety Mark Perry, alongside cornerbacks Mekhi Garner and and Kaleb Hayes, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Their signings came after the franchise held a workout featuring eight players on Monday.

With injuries adding up in secondary, the #Bears will sign 3 defensive backs after a tryout Monday.

The moves look more like depth additions at this point – not a sign there should be serious concern for the regular season.

All the details.https://t.co/bWoyedzFSm

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 12, 2025

Chicago Bears add to secondary 

The fact that all three additions are unheralded players is extremely telling. It could mean that they don’t believe Johnson and Gordon’s injuries would last into the regular season. It’s also an indictment about how the team feels about backups Nahshon Wright and Terell Smith. Seeing the Bears having to make three additions just to have bodies in the secondary is a bit worrisome. But having to add a big-name cornerback would point to a much scarier injury for Johnson and/or Gordon.

Perry is the only non-cornerback to be signed. Safety will be a crucial position of concern during the offseason, as both Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard and set to be free agents. Still, Chicago could use some depth behind their starters, especially if fellow free agent Jonathan Owens walks. For now, Perry will be coming to the Windy City after bouncing around numerous team’s practice squads. A strong performance with the Bears could at least land him a spot there.

Garner appeared in three games with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023 before joining the UFL’s Arlington Renegades. But out of football since being released, the cornerback will have plenty to prove. So will Hayes, who also has gone the practice squad to UFL route. Like Garner, he’ll get an opportunity with so many players down to show he at least deserves a practice squad spot.

Until Johnson and Gordon officially make their returns, their injury statuses are a bit up in the air. With both players out, the Bears turned back to the free agency well to help fill the secondary space.

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When Chicago Bears training camp opened, it was revealed that cornerback Jaylon Johnson is dealing with a multi-week leg injury. Then, fellow cornerback Kyler Gordon was forced to leave practice with a hamstring injury. Both players being down takes a massive bite out of Chicago’s defense. But it also gives the Bears an opportunity to evaluate other cornerbacks on the roster.

Nahshon Wright has been filling in for Johnson and has received plenty of praise. But it was Terell Smith who came away as the biggest winner of the joint practice/preseason matchup with the Miami Dolphins. He was called the, “best player on the practice fields,” by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

That success carried over into Week 1 of the preseason, where Smith almost had an interception. He has been strong in coverage every opportunity against the Dolphins and has used the Bears’ injury opportunity as a way to open eyes.

“I read the quick game with the quarterback and I just went,” Smith said of the near interception. “I couldn’t bring it in. I like looked up at the end zone.”

“I definitely feel like that is my game,” Smith said. “I feel like that is what I can do.”

While the Dolphins practices shined the spotlight a little brighter on Smith, his Bears teammates have seen his potential for much longer. Safety Kevin Byard in particular thinks the cornerback has all the traits necessary to succeed in Chicago.

“Smitty is a ballplayer,” Byard said. “I know he’s been kind of a depth piece but Smitty is a starter in this league, you know, 100%. He’s always been playing big-time ball ever since I have been here. He’s just waiting in the wings, waiting for his shot. I know (Dennis Allen) kind of talked about the competition so all of them boys are out there competing and trying to get reps and be able to either start or get valuable playing time.”

Terell Smith trying to make impact on Chicago Bears 

Smith was originally selected by the Bears in the fifth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Since then, he has appeared in 26 games for the team, starting six of them. Smith has put up 68 tackles, 10 passes defended and an interception.

The cornerback registered his first NFL pick in 2024. However, he saw his tackles drop from 49 to 19 and his passes defended go from six to four. That being said, he graded out exceptionally well on Pro Football Focus, earning a 78.5 overall. His 76.5 coverage grade ranked 19/222 cornerback.

TERELL SMITH, @ChicagoBears CB – In 2024, on 207 total defensive snaps, Smith, recorded a 76.5 PFF Coverage Grade – Ranking 19th out of 222 qualifying CBs. #DaBears #BearDown #Bears #chicago #NFL #NFLUK #NFLTop100 #NFLPicks #nflnews #NFL2025 pic.twitter.com/rNGbyenHpl

— Pro Football Hall of Fame Ambassador (@PFHOFAmbassador) July 14, 2025

If everyone is healthy, Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson are poised to start on the outside while Gordon handles the slot. However, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen may throw different looks at opposing offenses. When Smith hears his number called, he must be ready to perform.

Against the Dolphins at least, the cornerback was up to the task. How he handled the rest of the preseason will determine how much playing time Smith sees in 2025.

The post Chicago Bears cornerback turning heads amid secondary injury chaos appeared first on ChiCitySports.

With the Chicago Bears resting many of their starters, the team’s preseason opener, head coach Ben Johnson had an opportunity to evaluate the depth on his roster. At running back, one rookie’s strong first impression could have him on a path to earn even more touches in 2025.

While the Bears were expected to add a big name running back at some point in the offseason, their only major addition was seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai. His draft position would have you think he needs at least a year of seasoning on the practice squad. But all offseason, Monangai has been one of the most hyped up players on Chicago’s roster.

His preseason debut saw him gain 30 yards on six carries in a 24-24 tie to the Dolphins. Monangai was able to take in the moment and see his NFL dreams come full circle. But at the same time, the running back got his first taste of what it’s like to compete at the highest level, via Jayna Bardahl of The Athletic.

“A little bit, I can’t lie to you,” Monangai said. “But it felt good to play football again. Be out there in front of fans, do what everybody dreams of, and I grew up doing. (There are) first-game jitters, and then you get hit, and it’s just playing football again.”

“Guys are bigger, stronger, you’ve got to have a strong base and strike guys,” Monangai said. “The NFL is a whole other level playing against grown men.”

Kyle Monangai gives Chicago Bears intriguing weapon 

Part of the reason running back was considered such a big need for the Bears is because starter D’Andre Swift averaged just 3.8 yards per carry in 2024. The fact Monangai averaged five YPC in his preseason debut certainly caught Johnson’s attention. The running back’s work throughout the offseason has earned him plenty of fans in the Bears organization, including quarterback Caleb Williams.

“He’s been awesome. Still learning, still a young guy. We’ve all been there,” said Williams. “Very, very smart guy. Hard runner. He’s gonna put his nose down and get the yardage we need.”

Monangai fell to the seventh-round due to his 5-foot-8 stature and 4.6 40-yard dash at the combine. However, he still shined when at Rutgers facing the same limitations. Monangai ran for 3,222 yards and 27 total touchdowns. As a senior, he set new career-highs in yardage (1,279) and touchdowns (13), earning First-team All Big-Ten honors.

As it stands, Monangai is still behind Swift and Roschon Johnson on the running back pecking order. However, performances like his against the Dolphins will only get the ball in Monangai’s hands more often come regular season.

The post Chicago Bears rookie takes giant step towards significant 2025 role in preseason opener appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Quarterback Caleb Williams did not have the standout rookie season the Chicago Bears were hoping for. While he was forced to deal with numerous coaching changes and a broken offensive line, the NFL is unforgiving when you go No. 1 overall.

Especially with No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels going on to win Rookie of the Year. Williams has been living in his shadow ever since, despite any offseason championships. Heading into the 2025 season, Chicago’s quarterback is looking to prove he is every bit of the franchise star the Bears are expecting him to be.

Still, not every coach in the NFL is ready to move past Williams’ rookie struggles. He was placed in the third tier of Mike Sando of the Athletic’s latest quarterback rankings, No. 23 overall. Part of the issue was the quarterback showing a few ‘scary’ traits in 2024.

“You saw signs and ability, and I also think you saw signs and ability that scare you,” another coach said. “Nervousness in the pocket, inability to see and play on time. But I do not know yet if that was him or coaching. Parts of me wondered if you could get it done with this guy, but it’s good enough to make you think you have a chance.”

Another defensive coach sees the vision when it comes to Williams. But he must address one of the fatal flaws in his game which was holding onto the ball too long. The Bears allowed a league-high 68 sacks during his rookie season. His offensive line did him no favors, but Williams isn’t faultless in the sack issue.

“You saw signs and ability, and I also think you saw signs and ability that scare you,” another coach said. “Nervousness in the pocket, inability to see and play on time. But I do not know yet if that was him or coaching. Parts of me wondered if you could get it done with this guy, but it’s good enough to make you think you have a chance.”

Why Chicago Bears are optimistic about Caleb Williams

For all his miscues, Williams showed flashes of brilliance throughout his first year in the league. His 3,541 yards and 20 touchdown passes both set new Bears rookie records. One general manager thinks there could be some Josh Allen in the quarterback in terms of his development time.

“I think that will come in time,” a GM said. “Maybe it is a little bit like Josh (Allen) early in his career, where he has so much good other stuff that you will live with some negative plays, and as he gets more snaps under his belt, that part will come.”

Having a new head coach in Ben Johnson will certainly help. As will guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson alongside center Drew Dalman. Rookies Luther Burden and Colston Loveland will only make the offense more dynamic. One NFL defensive coordinator wouldn’t be shocked to see Williams rise up the rankings based on the pieces built around him.

“He’s very talented,” another defensive coordinator said. “Ben is more under center. Caleb is more of a gun quarterback. That dynamic is going to be interesting to me. I would not be shocked if the kid plays well. Ben is good. He can adjust. I’m sure they will find a happy medium somewhere.”

Ultimately, it’ll be up to Williams to adapt to Johnson’s system and show vast improvement. But if he is able to live up to his No. 1 pick hype, the quarterback will be much higher than No. 23 entering the 2026 campaign.

The post Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams blasted over ‘scary’ rookie season by NFL coach appeared first on ChiCitySports.

As Ben Johnson opened his head coaching tenure with the Chicago Bears, he decided to bench a number of starters including quarterback Caleb Williams. However, the head coach still remained committed to elevating Williams’ game.

Johnson put a strong emphasis on Friday’s joint practice with the Miami Dolphins. There, Williams got most of the reps and was evaluated fully. It’s yet to be seen if the head coach will take the same approach entering Week 2’s preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

But if he does, Johnson clearly has a plan in place. Before kickoff against the Dolphins, he spent nearly an hour with Williams and many of the team’s key offensive starts. There, the head coach took a hands-on approach and worked with his quarterback through all facets of the offense, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

“By my count, a total of 87 plays were run. Now, they were routes on air as there were no defensive players on the field. Johnson — and all of the offensive coaches — had a script. Williams would stand next to Johnson, who would give him the play. Then, the quarterback simulated a huddle with the player (only one ran a route on each snap) and gave the play call. They’d break the huddle, go to the line of scrimmage, Williams would simulate pre-snap actions and then the play would be run.

Chicago Bears counting on Caleb Williams improvement 

One area that Williams struggled in during the preseason practice was completing out routes to DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus on the goal line. Biggs noticed the quarterback was leading them too far. Still, there was a lot of progress that was made in this session. Johnson understands that helping Williams reach his No. 1 pick ceiling is amongst his highest priorities. Taking a hands-on approach to his development ensure he knows exactly where the quarterback stands.

The post How Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson still elevated Caleb Williams’ game despite preseason decision appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears haven’t seen left tackle Braxton Jones in live game action since suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 16 of the 2024 campaign. But when the Bears opened their preseason against the Miami Dolphins, Jones had regained his starting left tackle role.

He played the first three series, accumulating 22 snaps total, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. While numerous starters sat out, such as quarterback Caleb Williams, it was telling that Jones played. Head coach Ben Johnson is taking the competition at left tackle seriously and wanted to see how all of Chicago’s options squared off against an opposing team.

The Bears will watch back the tape and fully evaluate how Jones fared against the Dolphins. But perhaps the most crucial piece of that evaluation is that the left tackle came away from the game healthy. He seems to now be past his devastating ankle injury.

“Honestly, it was pretty good,” Jones said. “Knowing kind of what I went through last year with the injury and everything, just blessed honestly to get an opportunity to be out on the field again and play again.”

“I am still getting my wind back,” Jones said. “The ankle is responding well and that’s the biggest thing for me right now. Obviously, there are going to be some days that are not what you want and I’ve had those days and they will continue to come. But it’s how I respond.”

Braxton Jones battling for Chicago Bears left tackle job 

Jones has looked strong when on the field, although he was beaten on Tyson Bagent’s touchdown pass. During the 2024 campaign, his 77.4 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 21/140 tackles. The biggest issue is simply staying on the field. Before playing in just 12 games in 2024, he appeared in 11 during the 2023 campaign. If Chicago is going to pencil Jones into their lineup, they at least need to be confident he can remain on the field.

Originally, Jones was battling against Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie. But Amegadjie’s leg injury kept him out of practice and the preseason opener. Because of this, Trapilo has been able to get a leg up in the race.

The rookie also received 22 snaps, over four series and also closed the game out at left tackle. Trapilo landed in the second-round of the 2025 NFL Draft due to his work at right tackle. He was named First-team All-ACC in 2024. But how he transition to the left side of the line will determine his immediate impact on the Bears.

Johnson and company are sure to continue rotating their left tackles until they find the perfect fit. But if Jones can stay healthy and keep producing, he very well may keep his starting place on the offensive line.

The post Chicago Bears’ Braxton Jones drops honest take on long-awaited injury return appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Ben Johnson has now coached his first game with the Chicago Bears. He’s still looking for his first win, and loss to be fair, as the Bears tied the Miami Dolphins 24-24.

Chicago decided to rest many of their starters, including quarterback Caleb Williams. The Week 1 preseason matchup was an opportunity for numerous roster hopefuls to make a name for themselves. Players like defensive end Austin Booker, who recorded three sacks, certainly did.

Johnson and the Bears aren’t satisfied with earning a tie. However, their first live game action of 2025 gave the head coach a clear view of Chicago’s growing mentality, via the team’s postgame press conference.

“It’s hard to assess the feeling in the locker room after a tie like that. Those guys went out there and they laid it out. All those guys that were active, they did a great job,” Johnson said. “Going out there and competing, you just don’t know how to feel when it ends up being 24-24, doesn’t matter if it’s preseason or not. You’re going out there, they’re keeping score and you’re playing to win.”

“They did a phenomenal job. The effort was there, the intensity was there throughout. A number of guys, knowing that there were no reserves behind them, they really fought through a lot,” Johnson continued. “That’s what stood out to me. It makes you proud as a coach when you see the guys go out there and give everything they’ve got.”

Johnson specifically named Jonathan Ford, Zacch Pickens, Tre Flowers and Josh Blackwell as players who were able to battle through adversity and showed their true toughness against the Dolphins. Overall, the head coach is seeing the Bears come together as one. There were a few miscues that he admits led to the tie. But Chicago is embracing the culture Johnson is attempting to foster in the Windy City.

“We’re halfway through camp and the team chemistry is really coming together,” Johnson concluded. “At times we played with the physical nature we keep talking about and practicing towards. It comes down to making some plays there at the end of the game. Offensively, we had some chances.

Chicago Bears tie Miami Dolphins 24-24

With Williams sitting, Tyson Bagent earned the start. He completed 13-of-19 passes for 103 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Bagent was eventually replaced by veteran Case Keenum, who completed 8-of-10 passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns. The pair should continue battling for the right to backup Williams throughout the preseason.

Rookie Kyle Monangai lived up the hype in his preseason NFL debut, rushing for 30 yards on six carries. Averaging five yards per carry will only earn him more opportunities in Johnson’s offense. In terms of fellow rookies, Luther Burden caught two passes for 29 yards while Colston Loveland had one grab for eight yards. Undrafted free agent Jahdae Walker led the way with three grabs for 41 yards and a touchdown. Walker will look to continue making a name for himself in Week 2 as the fellow rookies get further acclimated to Johnson’s offense.

Defensively, the Bears held the Dolphins to 272 yards total. They forced a pair of fumbles and came away with six sacks total. Tua Tagovailoa did complete 5-of-6 passes for 27 yards and De’Von Achane gained 22 yards on his three carries. There is still plenty that Chicago can improve, but their first taste of preseason action shined the spotlight on the defense.

The Bears will next gear up for a matchup against the Buffalo Bills. They’ll look to fix the errors they learned from this game and continue maximizing their strengths. Furthermore, Johnson wants to earn his first victory with the team.

The post Ben Johnson’s immediate reaction to Chicago Bears vs. Miami Dolphins preseason tie appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Throughout their joint practice and preseason matchup with the Miami Dolphins, the Chicago Bears defense has put on a show. But as a regular season approaches, Dennis Allen’s new-look unit is poised to only get stronger.

Rookie defense tackle Shemar Turner was on the sidelines for the preseason opener as he continues to nurse his ankle injury. He went down on the first day of training camp with his status for Week 1 looking bleak. However, the Bears are now growing optimistic about Turner making a return sooner rather than later.

The defensive tackle went through a long workout with trainers prior to the preseason matchup. Their assessment was that Turner now has a real chance of making his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

“While Caleb Williams and the offensive skill players who didn’t play were warming up for their scripted throwing session, defensive tackle Shemar Turner (ankle), guard Bill Murray (ankle) and offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie (leg) went through an extended workout period with athletic trainers,” Biggs wrote.

“Turner looked pretty good and the hope now is that he could be back in action for the start of the season,” Biggs continued. “It was deemed to be at least a four-week injury when he was hurt on the first day of training camp.”

What Shemar Turner offers Chicago Bears

Turner was originally selected by the Bears with the No. 62 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He played all over the defensive line during his four years at Texas A&M. While Chicago may unleash that skillset eventually, they’re at least beginning Turner’s NFL career at defensive tackle.

Over 43 total games with the Aggies, Turner put up 115 tackles, 24 for a loss, 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. During the 2023 campaign, he set new career-highs with 11 tackles for a loss, six sacks and two forced fumbles. He was named Second-team All-SEC for his efforts.

But for all his potential, Turner is entering a crowded defensive tackle room on the Bears. Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter should both start while Andrew Billings and Turner operate as backups. Allen is sure to change up his rotation, giving opposing offenses numerous different looks. By the end of his rookie season, the Bears want to at least have a strong understanding of how to use Turner as a defensive tackle.

Getting back on the gridiron is the first step of the plan. Whether or not Turner plays in Week 2 of the preseason is yet to be seen. But his arrow is pointing up as the Bears trudge towards the regular season.

The post Chicago Bears defense preparing for major boost after rookie injury update appeared first on ChiCitySports.

With head coach Ben Johnson resting numerous starters for the Chicago Bears’ preseason opener, Friday’s joint practice with the Miami Dolphins came with a heightened sense of important. The Bears’ defense certainly got Johnson’s message.

Of course in a training camp practice, everything must be taken with a grain of salt. Even with how serious Friday’s session was, both the Bears and Dolphins are focused on development above all else. Still, Chicago’s first matchup against opposing live competition was extremely telling of how far the defense has come.

Safety Kevin Byard played a big role in that success, picking off Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on a tipped passes. While there are still questions surrounding the Bears’ offense, Friday’s session made it clear that the defense has shown vast improvements entering the 2025 campaign.

“I think if we play like we practiced today, we’re going to be pretty good,” Byard said, via Adam Hoge of CHGO.

#Bears safety Kevin Byard on today's practice against the Dolphins:

"I think if we play like we practiced today, we're going to be pretty good."

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 8, 2025

Chicago Bears defensive standouts 

The Bears were without top cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon on Friday due to injury. Yet, they had no problem with takeovers. Safety Jaquan Brisker and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds both came away with picks. Edmunds even took his to the house.

Tua Tagovailoa was intercepted by Bears’ Tremaine Edmunds in red zone

Three INTs for Tua today

Entered today with one in all of training camp

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) August 8, 2025

Tremaine Edmunds picks off Tua in the red zone and runs it back for what would have been a pick 6. That’s Tua’s third interception today. pic.twitter.com/FB7lJq8ZfK

— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 8, 2025

2 BIG plays by the Bears at the same time on both fields!

Tyson Bagent connects with Colston Loveland for a long touchdown. In stride with yards after the catch.

Jaquan Brisker interception on Tua and takes back the other way.

Crowd went wild for both!

— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr23) August 8, 2025

Brisker also came away with a sack, as did Montez Sweat. Throughout practice, the Bears consistently brought pressure to the Dolphins’ offense. Beat reporters for both teams consistently sang Chicago’s defensive graces.

Great period for the Bears defense just now.

– CB Tyrique Stevenson blew up a screen with a hard hit on Jaylen Waddle who stayed down for a bit.

– DT Gervon Dexter TFL

– DE Montez Sweat sack

– S Jaquan Brisker blitz and sack

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 8, 2025

Practice over. #Bears defense wins the day.

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 8, 2025

Anyone who tells you the Dolphins offense looked good today is a flat out liar.

It’s been BAD. Very bad.

— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 8, 2025

Ultimately, this was still just one training camp session. The Dolphins didn’t have their entire offense out there. The Bears have had down practice sessions as well and it’d be unfair to say that will define their season. Friday just highlighted how strong Chicago could be if everything is firing on all cylinders.

Johnson wanted his team to be aggressive and treat the joint practice like a real game. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen delivered, putting forward numerous attacking fronts. When Johnson and Gordon get back into the fold, things will only get scarier in the secondary. But Brisker has been impressive and both Sweat and Edmunds have held things down in their respective areas of the field.

Sunday’s preseason matchup will see many of these defensive stars rest. But if the Bears remain dominant on defense, it’ll be a testament to just how deep the unit goes.

The post Chicago Bears defense steals show in Miami Dolphins joint practice appeared first on ChiCitySports.

On Thursday, the Chicago Bears saw both right tackle Darnell Wright and cornerback Kyler Gordon go down with worrying injuries. Wright was able to make his return on Friday, but the injury bug has bitten once again at Bears training camp.

Defensive tackle Andrew Billings was forced to leave practice with trainers. His left ankle appeared to be rolled up on during the Bears’ joint practice session with the Miami Dolphins, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

Andrew Billings walked off the field with trainers after looking like he got his left ankle rolled up on during a move the ball period

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 8, 2025

However, it appears as if Chicago has caught a break and that Billings’ injury scare was exactly that. The defensive tackle was able to return to the field shortly after leaving, via Michael Dwojak of Bears Insider.

#Bears Andrew Billings limped off the field after a play where he landed funny. But Billings went back on the field later.

— Michal Dwojak (@mdwojak94) August 8, 2025

Still, the Bears will closely monitor Billings’ status throughout Friday’s practice and into the preseason. The defensive tackle played in just eight games in 2024 after suffering a season-ending pectoral injury. Being a seven-year NFL veteran, Billings isn’t in desperate need for reps. Chicago wants him to learn Dennis Allen’s new scheme, but at the same time, they want him on the field for Week 1 of the regular season.

What Andrew Billings offers Chicago Bears

The Bears added to their defensive line in both free agency with Grady Jarrett and Shemar Turner, respectively. Jarrett is set to start next to rising star Gervon Dexter while Turner will work behind them. Billings should settle in with second-team, however, he was listed amongst the starters on the team’s first unofficial depth chart. However it works out, assume Billings is healthy, he should have a sizable role on the defense.

His main role will be clogging up holes in the run game. After Billings’ injury, Chicago’s run defense took a major nosedive. The Bears ended up finishing their season ranked 28th in run defense, allowing 136.3 yards per game. It’s logical to expect Billings to be on the field in clear run situations.

Over his entire seven-year NFL career, the defensive tackle has made 160 tackles, 20 quarterback hits and 5.5 sacks. Since joining the Bears in 2023, Billings has put up 40 tackles, five quarterback hits and a sack. Noticeably, his pass rush grade of 78.6 from Pro Football Focus. ranked 10/219 defensive tackles.

Still, Billings is entering a contract year. Despite his veteran status, he still must impress the new coaching staff. Having to spend time on the sidelines would diminish his chance of making an impact. However, Billings was quickly able to get past his injury scare and returned to practice with the second-team, via Mark Carman of CHGO.

Andrew Billings back out there with the 2’s.

— Mark Carman (@thecarm) August 8, 2025

Overall, with Chicago already facing so many injuries, the Bears don’t have to stress this time around.

The post Chicago Bears dealt another training camp injury scare appeared first on ChiCitySports.

All eyes are on Caleb Williams throughout Chicago Bears training camp. But as the quarterback looks out into a sea of Bears teammates, one rookie has already caught Williams’ eye.

While Chicago was expected to land a big name running back all offseason, their only major addition was seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai. Usually, players taken that late don’t make an impact during their rookie seasons. However, Monangai is turning out to be a different kind of seventh-rounder.

He still has a mountain to climb to earn rookie reps as the running back is no higher than third on the depth chart. But Williams is now echoing head coach Ben Johnson’s sentiment in that he thinks Monangai will have a breakout 2025 campaign, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

“Still learning, still a young guy,” Williams said. “We’ve all been there. But he’s been awesome. Very, very smart guy. Hard runner. He’s going to put his nose down and get the yardage we need.”

Kyle Monangai looking to make immediate Chicago Bears impact

Monangai fell to the seventh-round for numerous reasons. He stands just 5-foot-8 and ran a poor 4.6 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Unless Monangai has a massive growth spurt and/or gets rockets transplanted into his legs, those factors won’t change much. However, the running back found a high level of successful during his time at Rutgers despite any physical red flags.

Over 52 total games, Monangai ran for 3,222 yards and 27 touchdowns. He led the Big Ten with 1,262 rushing yards in 2023 before setting new career-highs with 1,279 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024. Monangai was named First-team All-Big Ten.

As it stands, both D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson are ahead of Monangai on the depth. However, the rookie has been given a solid opportunity in training camp, especially with Johnson missing time with a foot injury. If he can develop his work as a pass blocker and catcher, as well as his ground game, there’s a path for Monangai to get touches as a rookie.

The preseason will be crucial for everyone on the Bears. But for the running back, it’ll be his best opportunity to prove he belongs. If Monangai shines against live competition, it’d go a long way towards Johnson giving him more responsibilities in the offense.

The post Chicago Bears rookie earns crucial Caleb Williams endorsement appeared first on ChiCitySports.

On Thursday, the Chicago Bears and their fans were forced to hold their breaths when right tackle Darnell Wright left practice with a concerning injury. But on Friday, everyone involved with the Bears took a collective sigh of relief.

Head coach Ben Johnson confirmed that Wright would return to practice on Friday, via Zack Pearson of Bear Report. Him leaving practice early now seems to be Chicago erring on the side of caution.

Ben Johnson says Kyler Gordon is TBD for practice today. Darnell Wright will practice today. #Bears

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 8, 2025

The fact cornerback Kyler Gordon’s status is still unconfirmed is a bit concerning. He left Thursday’s practice before Wright. With the Bears already down fellow cornerback Jaylon Johnson, losing Gordon for any amount of regular season time would be a massive blow.

But for now at least, Chicago will rejoice at the return of Wright. The Bears offensive line has been one of the biggest talking points of the offseason. While left tackle is still in question, the franchise is confident in Wright continuing to hold down the fort on the right side.

Darnell Wright becomes crucial member of Chicago Bears

The Bears selected Wright with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. It seemed like a slight reach at the time, as the tackle was ranked as the No. 18 overall prospect on ESPN’s big board. However, Wright has silenced all the doubters, becoming one of the best right tackles in the league over his two seasons in Chicago.

Overall, he has started 33 games since joining the team. Injuries limited Wright to 15 games in 2024, but he still put on a show. The soon-to-be 24-year-old ranked 16/140 tackles with his 79.3 grade from Pro Football Focus. Wright ranked 35th with his 75.4 pass blocking grade and seventh with his 82.2 run blocking mark.

The Bears are set to introduce a brand new offensive line. If anyone other than Braxton Jones wins the left tackle job, Chicago will have four brand new starts. Alongside stopping opposing pass rushers, Wright must also serve as the glue that keeps Chicago’s new-look offensive line together.

Getting him back on the field so early after an injury scare is a great sign. It’s unseen if Wright will suit up in Week 1 of the preseason. But barring further injury, the Bears have no long-term concerns about their right tackle’s injury status.

The post Chicago Bears breathing sigh of relief after concerning training camp injury appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Chicago Bears fans have been patiently waiting to watch quarterback Caleb Williams operate in head coach Ben Johnson’s offense during a live game setting. However, they’ll be waiting a little longer when the Bears’ Week 1 preseason matchup against the Miami Dolphins rolls around.

While preseason play gives Johnson and company a strong opportunity to evaluate the roster, the head coach isn’t trying to take any chances. Furthermore, he has been emphasizing the importance of joint practices all offseason. Williams and company will be run through the gauntlet on Friday.

Johnson did confirm that the quarterback will be one of the players sitting out in Week 1, via the Hoge and Jahns podcast. However, the Bears still have plans for any player sitting out Week 1.

“There’s going to be a number of guys who aren’t playing in this game,” Johnson said. “We’re going to get great work in the joint practice we have, we have a number of things scheduled around the game for those guys that aren’t playing whether it’s the day before or the day after. Were actually going to end up getting more reps for them than they would have we played them Week 1 in this game.”

“I’m really excited about that,” he continued. “The numbers as they stand right now, subject to change, are probably nine guys on offense, nine guys on defense that won’t be playing.”

When asked if Williams – phrased as No. 18 – was amongst the players not suiting up, Johnson kept his confirmation simple.

“He’s one of those,” Johnson said.

Ben Johnson explains why Caleb Williams and a number of starters won’t play Sunday against the Dolphins https://t.co/x4TbDagb6D pic.twitter.com/lpe44qeYU9

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 8, 2025

Chicago Bears give Tyson Bagent preseason opportunity 

While all eyes have been on Williams throughout the offseason, backup quarterback Tyson Bagent has been drawing plenty of buzz as well. If all goes to plan in 2025, Bagent would only need to come in on kneel down opportunities. Still, Chicago is liking what they see from Bagent between effusive praise from Johnson to listing him at QB2 over veteran Case Keenum in their first unofficial depth chart.

With Williams sitting out, Bagent will likely draw the start against the Dolphins. It’ll be arguably his best opportunity yet that he deserves the backup job. Especially since there is a new coaching staff in place, Bagent must make a strong impression on Johnson and company.

He didn’t see much play in 2024, but in 2023, the quarterback made four starts for the Bears. He went 2-2, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 859 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. While the numbers don’t jump off the page, the fact an undrafted free agent from DII Shepherd University won two games in the NFL is impressive.

Now, Bagent will get a chance to prove he has developed sitting behind Williams. A strong Week 1 preseason performance would only further solidify his QB2 status.

The post Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson reveals initial Caleb Williams preseason plan appeared first on ChiCitySports.

When the Chicago Bears drafted Luther Burden in the second-round, fellow wide receiver DJ Moore started seeing his name in trade rumors. However, Ben Johnson and company are looking to build out a dynamic offense in Chicago, not subtract from it.

Still, Burden’s arrival gives the Bears a three-headed monster at receiver. Perhaps some believe that that is overkill. Chicago would get back valuable draft capital in a Moore trade which could become crucial as Johnson builds his roster.

However, the Bears have spent all offseason building around quarterback Caleb Williams. Trading away Moore would be counterintuitive. That’s one of the many reasons Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune thinks the franchise will hold off on a Moore trade.

“That seems unlikely to me considering the Bears paid him just 12 months ago. The Bears would take on a $12 million cap hit if they traded Moore after this season,” Biggs wrote. “Let’s be real here too. If the Bears were looking to deal Moore, it would be because they didn’t believe his production was anywhere near what the team is paying him. In that scenario, he’d be mighty tough to move as he has a base salary of $23.485 million beginning in 2026 and for the three seasons following that.”

“I think Moore is with the team at least through 2026,” Biggs continued. “If early-camp action is a good indicator, Ben Johnson is going to be creative with ways to get him the ball, including some carries as a running back. Who knows? Maybe he becomes a little bit of a Deebo Samuel-type weapon.”

DJ Moore’s run with Chicago Bears

Moore was included in the trade that sent the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 to the Carolina Panthers. With the Bears also gaining the Panthers’ pick a year later, and using it on Williams, Chicago acquired two key pieces of their passing attack in that trade.

In his debut with the Bears, Moore set new career-highs across the board with 96 receptions for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns. His numbers didn’t quite match up in 2024, but Moore still set a new career-best with 98 grabs, turning them into 966 yards and six touchdowns. Furthermore, the receiver led the team with 140 targets.

Moore is once again set to start on the outside next to second-year man Rome Odunze. However, Johnson has also been toying with using the receiver out of the backfield. Overall, the Bears are looking for ways to get the ball in Moore’s hands and maximize his touches.

Maybe it’s all a smokescreen and Chicago will shock everyone with a late-offseason Moore season. But as things stands, the wide receiver is poised to be a crucial part of the Bears’ offense for the foreseeable future.

The post DJ Moore trade doused in cold water by Chicago Bears insider appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has gone viral once again. But this time for all the wrong reasons. After missing four straight throws in a close-up net drill, Williams was seen visibly frustrated. His reaction to the drill brought plenty of flack and clowning his way.

However, the franchise isn’t looking at it as a big deal. General manager Ryan Poles was shocked to see it get as much attention as it did. But like most of the drama surrounding Williams this offseason, the NFL world was hooked.

When the quarterback was asked about the situation though, all he could do was laugh. Williams explained his reaction to the play while shaking off any serious concerns about his reaction, via Adam Jahns of CHGO.

“So it’s a quick delivery drill,” Williams said. “You catch it, you’re not trying to get the laces or anything. It’s not like you’re going through reads. It’s catch, deliver and try to deliver to the bottom left corner. We’re trying to aim as if its a screen. It’s a competition between us and the guys, how fast you can get it out, how accurate you can get it out.

“They just so happened to blow that one out and not the other ones,” Williams said. “It’s a fun drill to work on accuracy and not using the laces, and also just getting your feet up under you.”

Bears QB Caleb Williams on the video of the drill with the net that’s gone viral. pic.twitter.com/M0FYmujer7

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 7, 2025

Caleb Williams was asked about the viral video of him missing the targets on the net pic.twitter.com/ddIld7rsL6

— Dave (@dave_bfr) August 7, 2025

What Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears must learn from preseason 

It is still yet to be seen whether or not Williams and the starters will see any preseason action. If they do, then how the quarterback performs becomes the most noteworthy part of preseason play for the Bears. Should Williams suit up, Johnson will be playing close attention to his pre-snap procedure and overall body language, alongside just how he fares against live competition.

But even if Williams doesn’t play, there are still plenty of things both he and the coaching staff must learn. Predominantly, who is playing left tackle. Whether it be Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo or Kiran Amegadjie, the winner of the competition must not prove to be a weak link.

For Williams to shine, the Bears must take a giant leap forward in the ground game as well. D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson and Kyle Monangai will be looking to solidify their roles. As are rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden should they be given an opportunity to play.

Throughout preseason, the Bears will have plenty of questions to answer. But after Williams’ press conference, none of them will revolve around what he was doing during the net drill.

The post Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams laughs off viral video criticism appeared first on ChiCitySports.

With Jaylon Johnson battling a potentially long-term leg injury, the Chicago Bears have had to look elsewhere at cornerback in training camp. While no one would be able to match what Johnson brings to the table, the Bears have been impressed with his immediate replacement.

Chicago signed Nahshon Wright to a one-year contract during the offseason. When Johnson went down, he was the first player to receive first-team reps. How Wright performs during the team’s joint practices and preseason matchups will determine if he maintains his spot in the pecking order.

The Bears will be looking to get Johnson back on the field sooner rather than later, assuming his leg checks out. But in the meantime, Wright is soaking up every rep he can and taking full advantage of his newfound opportunity, via team reporter Larry Mayer.

“Coming off the year I had, it means a lot to be able to come out here and compete and show the work that I’ve put in and just be able to be out there,” he said. “Being on someone’s 90-man roster is an opportunity, so just coming out here and competing every day means a lot.”

Nahshon Wright a surprise at Chicago Bears training camp

Wright spent the first three seasons of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings heading into 2024. Overall, he has made 37 tackles, five passes defended and an interception.

During the 2024 season however, Wright appeared in just one game. So, coming into Bears camp he was a bit of an unknown. Still, clearly Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen saw something in him, signing him in free agency in the first place. Wright hasn’t missed a beat since being thrown into the fire.

When Johnson does make his eventual injury return, Wright will be relegated to backup duties. But having his moment in the sun with the stars, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune called the cornerback the biggest defensive surprise of training camp thus far.

“On defense, the answer would have to be cornerback Nahshon Wright,” Biggs wrote. “He saw some time with the first unit in the offseason program and has been consistently running with the ones during camp as Jaylon Johnson (leg) remains sidelined and projects to be out a few more weeks. Wright has taken advantage of every opportunity he has been given, and I’m not sure anyone saw that coming from a guy who has appeared in 33 games over the previous four seasons with the Vikings and Cowboys but made only three career starts.”

Wright hype train

Biggs isn’t the only one noticing an impressive level of play from Wright. The cornerback has already earned the trust of his new head coach Ben Johnson.

“He has been balling,” said coach Ben Johnson. “He got a lot of turnovers in the spring. I have full trust in him. He’s a veteran. Long corner. Being able to stick with some of these receivers. I really like what I have seen from him.”

While Kyler Gordon is being moved all over the secondary, he’ll spent most of his time in the slot. Playing next to Wright, the fellow cornerback has been impressed with the first year Bear’s level of communication.

“He’s a good communicator,” said nickel back Kyler Gordon. “He’s on his stuff. He’s got great technique. There’s really no drop-off. He’s been a great teammate, great player. It’s exciting to watch him play and just jump right into the system. He’s on everything; another smart player who knows how to do everything, so it’s easy to play with him.”

Across from him, are receivers like Rome Odunze. Facing off against Johnson regularly, Odunze knows what tough cornerback competition is like. He hasn’t seen much of a drop off when Wright has been on the field.

“No, I wasn’t, but I’m familiar with him now,” Odunze said. “He’s a baller. There are not many 6-4 corners out there with his capabilities and his suddenness and agility, so it’s been a challenge going against him every single day. I’m glad we have a guy like that on the roster I can compete against and then make the games a little bit easier.”

When Johnson returns to the field, playing time may be hard to come by for Wright. But there’s no doubting he has been one of the most standout players in Bears training camp thus far.

The post Chicago Bears’ Jaylon Johnson replacement gets brutally honest on training camp opportunity appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Despite all of the Chicago Bears struggles in 2024, the team’s secondary was one of their biggest strengths. One of the main reasons for that was the emergence of slot cornerback Kyler Gordon. His play earned him a $40 million extension from the Bears.

However, on Thursday, Gordon was forced to leave practice with a trainer, via Zack Pearson of Bear Report. There is no word yet on exactly what kind of injury Gordon suffered or the severity of it.

7 on 7 drill starting. Kyler Gordon not out here for it. He went back to the locker room with the trainer after the last 11 on 11 period. #Bears

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 7, 2025

The Bears are already down fellow cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who is working his way back from a leg injury. Losing Gordon for any amount of time would only dampen Chicago’s defense further. The team is sure to provide further updates on Gordon’s condition, but for now, his status up in the air.

Chicago Bears see Darnell Wright leave as well 

Just as Chicago saw Gordon head to the locker room, the Bears got hit with another injury. Right tackle Darnell Wright left early after ‘coming up awkward’ in the final period, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

#Bears RT Darnell Wright just left practice early. Came up awkward in the final period.

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 7, 2025

Much like Gordon’s status, that is a bit ambiguous to speculate on what Wright is dealing with. Bears fans will just need to wait until further update on the right tackle. Throughout training camp, all the focus on the offensive line has been the three-way battle at left tackle. If Wright were to miss serious time, it seems likely that Braxton Jones would be the left tackle while Ozzy Trapilo plays on the right side. It’s a role Trapilo played in college.

However, Chicago remains hopeful that it doesn’t come to that. The fact Wright’s injury was in the final period may mean the Bears are just operating under caution. They know how valuable he is to the franchise, as Wright finished the 2024 campaign ranked 16/140 tackles with a 79.3 grade from Pro Football Focus.

With the Bears having such an aggressive practice on Tuesday perhaps both Gordon and Wright were a bit banged up. The fact they both left on their own accord is a good sign. However, until Chicago confirms the injury situations of Gordon and Wright, there will be plenty of dark clouds storming over the Windy City.

The post Chicago Bears dealt pair of worrying injuries to key starters at training camp appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Tight end Cole Kmet sent a collective shock down Chicago Bears fans’ spines when he left Tuesday’s practice with a trainer. However, after a day off, those fans are now breathing a sigh of relief.

Kmet made his return to practice on Thursday, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. While there’s no word yet if he will suit up for Week 1 of the preseason, his return to the gridiron at least ensures the tight end should be ready to go Week 1 of the regular season.

Cole Kmet wrapped up and ready. pic.twitter.com/9aaJWSsWxa

— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) August 7, 2025

After Kmet left the field, the Bears signed fellow tight end Thomas Gordon, leading some to believe the veteran was dealing with a serious injury. However, that now appears to just be a depth signing. Chicago will be cautious with Kmet and won’t risk further injury. But seeing as he hasn’t missed a game in his NFL career, Kmet has proven to be one of the most durable players on the roster.

What Cole Kmet offers Chicago Bears 

When the Bears drafted tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick, Kmet’s immediate future was thrown into question. He even came up in trade rumors. Still, head coach Ben Johnson has been adamant that the veteran will still have a key role despite Loveland’s arrival.

Which makes sense both based on Kmet’s contract and his success in the Bears’ offense. Since joining the team in 2020, the tight end has caught 258 passes for 2,592 yards and 19 touchdowns. During the 2023 season, he set new career-highs in receptions (73) and yardage (719). A year prior, he made a career-best seven touchdown grabs.

How Johnson decides to use both Loveland and Kmet is yet to be seen. However, the fact they were both listed as starters on the team’s first unofficial depth chart is telling. Kmet seems likely to handle the short-to-intermediate game while Loveland will look to be a mismatch all over the field. Regardless, both tight ends will be key pieces for Johnson to work with in his first year at the helm.

Kmet being back on the practice field eases a major Chicago concern. Furthermore, it gives the tight end more time to get acclimated to the new offense. The Bears are hopeful Kmet can get fully past the scare and continue getting reps in with Caleb Williams.

The post Cole Kmet eases injury concerns despite Chicago Bears tight end decision appeared first on ChiCitySports.

With Ben Johnson taking over as head coach, all eyes has been on the Chicago Bears’ offense throughout training camp. For the most part, fans have seen notable names like Caleb Williams, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze receive the most hype. However, Chicago’s clear starters aren’t the only ones making an impact.

In free agency, the Bears signed veteran receiver Olamide Zaccheaus to a one-year contract. Between Moore, Odunze and rookie Luther Burden, Zaccheaus won’t be drawing headlines weekly. Still, he has caught the attention of many throughout training camp.

The veteran was listed as the third wide receiver on Chicago’s first unofficial depth chart. Furthermore, when Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune has watched Zaccheaus play, all he has seen is a trusted veteran poised to make an impact in Johnson’s first season.

“I don’t know if Olamide Zaccheaus qualifies as a big surprise, but seeing the wide receiver consistently make plays throughout camp to this point has been impressive,” Biggs wrote. “He has been a complementary guy in the passing game in Washington, Philadelphia and Atlanta, and that’s the role he figures to have here. That said, he has averaged 13.4 yards per catch in his career. He could prove to be a sneaky good addition to the offense.”

What Olamide Zaccheaus offers Chicago Bears

For most of his career, Zaccheaus has risen no higher than third on his team’s wide receiver depth chart. However, it’s a role he has both accepted and excelled in over his six-year NFL career. Overall, Zaccheaus has caught 149 passes for 1,998 yards and 13 touchdowns.

His most recently campaign with the Washington Commanders was arguably the best of his career thus far. Zaccheaus set new career-highs in receptions (45) and yardage (506) while tying his career-best of three touchdown grabs.

In Chicago, Zaccheaus will be to fill in any gaps on the field. By the end of the season, Luther Burden will be the primary slot receiver if everything goes to plan. DJ Moore and Rome Odunze are locked in on the outside. If opposing defenses are paying too much attention to those receivers, Zaccheaus will find himself open in space.

When you think of a playmaker, you think of big plays and massive gains. But for Zaccheaus to be a playmaker, he just needs to move the chains and do his job when called upon. Thus far with the Bears, Zaccheaus has done exactly that.

The post Chicago Bears insider names underrated free agent as biggest training camp surprise appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been engrossed in controversy for seemingly the entire offseason. His latest bit of drama revolves around his response to a net drill during training camp.

After missing the mark four times, Williams looks visibly frustrated as he walks off. Once the internet got wind of the video, it immediately went viral as the NFL world clowned Williams and the Bears.

VIDEO: #Bears QB Caleb Williams throws a temper tantrum after missing four consecutive checkdowns during a throwing net drill. pic.twitter.com/xqnh7NhLqk

— 𝑻𝒚𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝑰𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 (@TylerTalksBall) August 2, 2025

General manager Ryan Poles was among the many who saw that video and its eventual aftermath. However, his approach to the situation is much different. Poles isn’t sounding any alarms or pressing any panic buttons. Instead, he saw the situation as amusing. He knew that Williams had a brad practice, but not that the net incident would go as viral as it did, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

“I actually think it’s pretty cool,” Poles told ESPN about the uproar over the video. “I knew there was a bad practice. I’ve seen clips on Twitter. I didn’t know it was a national crisis of Caleb struggling.”

Ryan Poles’ assessment of Chicago Bears QB situation

Poles and the Bears went all in on Williams during the offseason. They hired an offensive-minded head coach in Ben Johnson. Then, Chicago completely revitalized their offensive line while adding even more firepower to their receiving room.

Still, Poles understands that Williams’ development will be a process rather than an immediate fix. He is remaining patient and isn’t shocked to see some hiccups with the Bears building out a brand new defense as well.

“I think as a human being, I want it to happen super fast, and I would love for it to look really clean and for [Williams] to look like a fifth-year vet right now,” Poles said. “But I think, just being in this long enough, what’s reality, though? It’s going to take time. It’s new.

“A new defense is going to jump out faster. It always does,” he continued. “We’re also playing this man scheme that [defensive coordinator] Dennis [Allen] is playing is a pain, and he is not holding back anything. And I think because of that it might look choppy at times, but that’s what you want. You want this time to look, be as hard as possible. And then when you get to game time when the lights come on, you want that to then slow down.”

When the Bears go through their joint practices with the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills, alongside their three-game preseason schedule, Johnson and company will have a much better understanding of what they have in Williams. But Poles knows he is much better than what was shown on the net clip.

Every practice, every rep is an opportunity for the quarterback to get better. And with flashes like a 40-yard touchdown pass on Tuesday, Poles knows Williams is on the right track.

“He’s getting better at it,” Poles said. “It’ll start with the simple, obviously as you go and you get older, all of a sudden you can progress from one side of the field to the other — fast. Very similar to when we were in [Kansas City], [Chiefs quarterback] Pat [Mahomes] didn’t know coverages, a lot of the big plays were when he just made things happen.

“And every year you just keep getting better and better at identifying what teams are doing to you, and then all of a sudden there’s looks that they’re hiding from you and then all of a sudden snap goes and then they’re switching into something,” he continued. “Once your Rolodex grows, you can react to those things and actually start to manipulate them as you get older. It’s just part of the quarterback position in the growth process.”

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While the 2024 season was disastrous for the Chicago Bears, they ended the year on a high note by defeating the Green Bay Packers in Week 17. As training camp rages on, the Packers still haven’t forgotten about the loss.

The game does come with a bit of an asterisk, as the Packers had already qualified for the playoffs. Many of their starters didn’t play the entire game. But in the Chicago vs. Green bay rivalry, every win matters. The Bears’ 24-22 victory gave the team some personal bragging rights entering the offseason.

Now preparing for the 2025 campaign, the Packers have kept their Week 17 outcome in mind. During Tuesday’s practice, head coach Matt LaFleur had his team run through the same exact scenario that cost them the win, via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that one of the scenarios they worked on yesterday in practice was the play with 15 seconds left in the Bears game here when they got into FG range to win the game.

This time, Malik Willis got the first down to set up a FG. pic.twitter.com/xYQWMmT39S

— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) August 6, 2025

Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers rivalry 

With 15 seconds left on the clock, Caleb Williams found DJ Moore for an 18-yard pash that put the team in field goal range. Cairo Santos’ 51-yard kick sealed the victory. But before that win, the Packers had been dominating the longstanding rivalry.

Green Bay had won the team’s previous 11 matchups. Going back even further, Chicago has only won three of their 20 most recent face offs. Overall, the Packers hold a 108-96-6 advantage over the Bears in their all-time series.

Perhaps most telling over the franchise’s rivalry in recent history is how often each team has made the playoffs. Outside of the 2022 season, the Packers have made the playoffs every season since 2019. On the flip side, the Bears haven’t been to the postseason since 2020 and haven’t won a playoff game since 2010.

Chicago will get their first opportunity to re-write the narrative in Week 14, when they’ll travel to Lambeau Field. Williams is technically undefeated at the the venue, but a win against Green Bay at full strength would make him look much stronger. Come Week 16, the Bears will then welcome the Packers to Soldier Field. If everything works out how both teams are hoping, the game could come with major playoff implications.

The Packers won’t be taking the Bears lightly and haven’t forgotten what went wrong last time. Conversely, Chicago wants to prove they are little brother no more. The rivalry is only heating up and the NFC North title could be hanging in the balance.

The post Green Bay Packers still have Chicago Bears loss at front of mind in training camp appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Ben Johnson was hired as the next Chicago Bears head coach in part due to the explosive offense he crafted with the Detroit Lions. However, for Johnson’s offense to be successful, the Bears must become much more stout in the run game.

During the 2024 campaign, Johnson helped Detroit finish sixth in overall rushing, averaging 146.4 yards per game. In turn, Chicago finished 25th, averaging 102 YPG. It’d be quite the leap for the Bears to hit Lions status in Johnson’s first year, but it’s at least a sign of what the head coach will be expecting from his running backs.

As it stands, D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson and Kyle Monangai are the team’s three leading running backs. Each are still battling for a larger role in the offense and each offers completely different skill sets. Johnson for example has proven to be a proficient goal line back.

That trend continued on Tuesday, as Johnson scored numerous goal line touchdowns during red zone drills. Some running backs might be miffed about being used exclusively in short-yardage situations. However, Johnson is embracing whatever role is thrown at him as he aims to help the Bears succeed, via Zack Pearson of Bear Report.

“Scoring touchdowns isn’t too bad,” Roschon Johnson said with a laugh. “I would say that’s definitely one of them. Whatever I can do to contribute. If that’s short yardage, goal line, whatever the case may be, I’m all for it. It’s fun to always be involved in that type of stuff.”

Roschon Johnson ready for anything

During the 2024 campaign, Johnson tied Swift with a team-high six touchdowns. He didn’t get much work outside of the goal line, earning 55 carries and 150 yards overall. However, Johnson at least proved that he is a force with the ball in his hands on the goal line.

He earned a slightly larger role as a rookie, turning 81 carries into 352 yards and two touchdowns. His 4.3 yards per carry will garner respect. But Johnson has yet to break through his backup ceiling.

If he continues to get goal line work though, Johnson will be a critical piece of Chicago’s offense. He may not make many headlines, but being a dominant force in short-yardage situations will only get the running back on the field more often. If the Bears are using a committee at running back, they at least want to be confident Johnson can break through the defense at the goal line.

Perhaps if he strings strong performances together, Johnson will get a larger role. But he is taking things one step at a time and is ready for whatever the Bears throw at him.

“There’s a lot of film that I have to put out and things I can showcase from my end that I feel like I haven’t really put out in the past couple of years,” Johnson said. “So, I’m looking forward to it, but at the end of the day, with the opportunities that I get, I just have to make the most out of them. That’s how I’m approaching it.”

Chicago Bears competition 

The only name ahead of Johnson on Chicago’s first unofficial depth chart is Swift. That is to be expected as Johnson, the head coach, has been adamant he’ll continue to have a large role in the offense.

In Swift’s debut with the Bears, he ran for 959 yards and six touchdowns on a career-high 253 carries. While he nearly broke 1,000 yards, Swift averaged a poor 3.8 YPC. Johnson has experience working with Swift on the Lions. But the running back must take a major step forward to retain his RB1 role.

Monangai may have been a seventh-round pick, but he has been earning massive buzz throughout the offseason. Small in stature at 5-foot-8 and running just a 4.6 40-yard dash at the combine, Monangai has plenty to prove as a rookie. But Coach Johnson has been adamant that the running back will have a role.

Throughout preseason, Bears fans will certainly be monitoring how Coach Johnson uses his running backs. Don’t be shocked to see Roschon Johnson get the carry should Chicago needs a push in any short-yardage situation.

The post Chicago Bears running back embracing key role in Ben Johnson’s offense appeared first on ChiCitySports.

When Chicago Bears training camp opened, it was revealed that cornerback Jaylon Johnson is dealing with a long-term leg injury. In his absence, another cornerback has caught the attention of new head coach Ben Johnson.

Tyrique Stevenson is entering a make-or-break season in 2025. Not only will it be his third year in the league, but the defensive back is still looking for redemption after his actions during the Washington Commanders Hail Mary disaster. Especially playing for a new coaching regime, Stevenson must make a strong first impression and stay consistent throughout the season.

He has succeeded so far in the first goal, as Stevenson was listed as the starting cornerback across from Johnson on the team’s first unofficial depth chart. Furthermore, while the cornerback’s time playing under Coach Johnson has been brief, it hasn’t taken long for Chicago’s lead man to see stark improvement, via the team’s Tuesday press conference.

“He’s an awesome person, that’s what stands out first and foremost. He’s got quite a personality, he’s good to talk to. He works hard, sometimes he talks a little bit too much. He’s a guy you want on your side,” Johnson said. “He understands this is a big year for him, going into year three is really make-it-or-break-it for a lot of guys. He is approaching this right way. The competition we’ve had in that room has been really good not only for him but the rest of the guys. I’m excited for the direction he’s heading in right now.”

Coach Johnson is speaking with the media https://t.co/6p18m4osPt

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 5, 2025

Tyrique Stevenson’s run with Chicago Bears 

Stevenson was originally selected by the Bears with the No. 56 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, starting 16 games. Stevenson made 86 tackles, 16 passes defended and fourth interceptions, which all remain career-highs.

Like many of those on the Bears, the cornerback had a down year in 2024. Overall, he made 78 tackles, 12 passes defended and two interceptions. To his credit, Stevenson led Chicago is pass break ups. However, his 58.9 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 134/222 cornerbacks.

To this point in his career, Stevenson is most known for his actions during the Commanders Hail Mary. Rather than guarding his man, the cornerback was seen taunting the crowd. With Washington actually completing the pass, Stevenson has been receiving flack ever since.

His 2025 season will be crucial in terms of his short and long-term future with the Bears. If he bounces back and thrives in the new scheme, the 25-year-old will remain a key piece in the secondary. But if the struggles continue, Chicago will have to seriously examine the position.

Stevenson embracing change 

The cornerback isn’t shying away from his 2024 downfalls. As he prepares for his junior season, Stevenson is putting his head down and solely focused on proving himself to the Bears, via Matt Danielewicz.

“I feel like this is a big year,” Stevenson said. “I feel like last year was a big year, my rookie year, every year is a big year. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come play in the NFL and every down counts. Every year is a big year; every down is big to me.”

In terms of his plans to bounce back, Stevenson is looking towards the future. He understands the expectations on his shoulders and all the noise being hurled his way. But the cornerback is putting it all behind him and is only considering the upcoming season.

“Keep my same aggression and my mentality when I’m in the game. Put behind me? Pretty much anything that shows negative on my resume,” Stevenson said. “That’s technique, game situations, that comes with any little thing. Not hustling, not showing effort that I need to on certain plays — anything like that I want to put behind me.”

While preseason games must be taken with a grain of salt, it’ll be a crucial test for Stevenson. If he can matchup well against outside competition, his leash as CB2 will only get longer.

The post Chicago Bears cornerback catching Ben Johnson’s attention amid Jaylon Johnson injury appeared first on ChiCitySports.

With Ben Johnson taking over as head coach, the Chicago Bears have stocked their wide receiver room with a number of tantalizing targets. But one of their best weapons from the 2024 campaign has now officially left the Windy City.

Keenan Allen has signed a one-year, $8.52 million contract, via Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. His hiatus away from the Chargers lasted just one season as the wide receiver will now return to the team that originally drafted him.

Reunion: Six-time Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen is signing with the #Chargers on a one-year, $8.52 million deal, sources tell me and @RapSheet.

Agents Zeke Sandhu and Damarius Bilbo of @KlutchSports negotiated the deal for Allen, who is back with the team that drafted him in 2013. pic.twitter.com/LwpzGzg9hP

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 5, 2025

While Allen would bolster nearly every offense in the NFL, the Bears simply didn’t have a spot for him entering 2025. DJ Moore and former top 10 pick are locked in as the outside starters. Rookie Luther Burden should eventually become a key playmaker in the slot while veteran Oladmide Zaccheaus will also play a key role on offense.

Overall, Allen’s one-year tenure with the Bears didn’t go as plan. But now Chicago has entirely switched up their passing scheme while Allen gets to go home.

Keenan Allen’s arrival, departure from Chicago Bears 

Prior to the 2024 season, Allen had played his entire NFL career with the Chargers. Appearing in 139 games, the receiver caught 904 passes for 10,530 yards and 59 touchdowns. Allen was named to the Pro Bowl six times and won the 2017 Comeback Player of the Year award.

However, Los Angeles found themselves in a cap crunch entering the 2024 campaign. They were forced to trade Allen after both sides couldn’t agree on a pay cut. With the Bears drafting quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, they wanted to add some potent playmakers around him. For the cost of a fourth-round pick, the Bears were able to acquire the Pro Bowl receiver.

His time in the Windy City came with both highs and lows. Overall, he caught 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns. Allen’s seven touchdown receptions led the Bears while he trailed just DJ Moore in receptions and yardage. However, his 2024 yardage was the lowest of his career in seasons with 10+ games played. His receptions were second-fewest under those parameters. Overall, while Williams and Allen had chemistry, Chicago’s overall offense plan failed, leading to massive changes.

The Bears are confident in their three-headed trio of Moore, Odunze and Burden. While Allen’s time in Chicago will remain a ‘what if,’ situation, there’s no doubting he knows how to shine for the Chargers.

The post Ex-Chicago Bears playmaker reunites with old team in free agency appeared first on ChiCitySports.

On Tuesday, the Chicago Bears saw tight end Cole Kmet go down with a concerning injury. In response, the Bears have now added another name to their tight end room.

Chicago has signed former Northwestern standout Thomas Gordon, via the school’s X, formerly Twitter account. There is no word yet on the financials or length of the contract.

BEAR. DOWN.

Thomas Gordon has signed with @ChicagoBears! pic.twitter.com/PqJfgucXbD

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) August 6, 2025

Gordon’s signing does not immediately mean Kmet is dealing with a long-term injury. If the tight end is going to miss time, the Bears will need bodies in camp to fill the role. Seeing as Gordon is an undrafted free agent, he could fill that job nicely.

However, if Kmet were to miss regular season time, Chicago has a built-in starter waiting. After being taking with the No. 10 overall pick, Colston Loveland was listed as a starter next to Kmet on the Bears’ initial depth chart. It’s fair to assume Loveland would simply step into a larger role.

As it stands, the Bears are still gathering information on Kmet’s injury and have yet to release an update. Chicago will now get a clear look at Gordon and see if he could fit in their tight end room.

Chicago Bears give Thomas Gordon an opportunity

Gordon spent six years at Northwestern, appearing in 54 games. He caught 54 passes overall for 529 yards and two touchdowns. But most of that production came in 2024, with career-highs in receptions (27) and yardage (252) alongside a touchdown.

On the surface, Gordon’s numbers don’t jump off the page. There’s a reason he was an undrafted free agent in the first place. He’ll get his first NFL opportunity in Chicago. However, it’ll be extremely difficult for Gordon to make the roster.

Kmet, injury or not, and Loveland are both locks to make the roster. As is seemingly Durham Smythe, who the Bears signed to a $2.5 million contract during the offseason. Then there are Stephen Carlson and Joel Wilson. Carlson played in just one game for the Bears in 2024 while Wilson has yet to see the field. Still, they have both been with Chicago all offseason and fully understand how things work under Johnson.

With Kmet sidelined, Gordon’s signing is certainly eye-opening. The Bears are hopeful his addition brings some extra training camp depth, rather than being a precursor to a long-term Kmet absence.

The post Chicago Bears sign tight end after Cole Kmet injury appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears’ first unofficial depth chart should be taken with a grain of salt. Chicago hasn’t even played their first preseason game yet and head coach Ben Johnson is still refining the roster.

Still, the Bears’ opening depth chart at least shows where Johnson’s head is at. Furthermore, it’s a starting off point for any player looking to retain their starting role or anybody in danger of being cut. While there are sure to be plenty of changes throughout camp, the Bears at least know where they stand heading into Week 1 of the preseason.

Johnson warned his players not to look too deeply into their initial depth chart. However, there are still numerous eye-opening inclusions that must be addressed.

Bears unofficial depth chart pic.twitter.com/2pypTVneak

— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 5, 2025

Honorable Mention: Tyson Bagent holds early QB2 lead 

Youngster Tyson Bagent and veteran Case Keenum are battling for the opportunity to backup Caleb Williams. While Bagent came to the Bears prior to Johnson’s arrival, he has already made a strong impression on the head coach.

Ultimately, if everything goes to plan, whoever is Williams’ direct backup would only need to come in on kneel down situations. However, Bagent being in the driver’s seat for the role is telling of both players work during training camp.

Braxton Jones retains starting left tackle 

Throughout training camp, arguably the biggest battle brewing is at left tackle. All three of Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie are battling for the right to block Williams’ blindside. Interestingly, Amegadjie is listed as Darnell Wright’s backup at right tackle. For now, Jones holds the edge over Trapilo.

He has looked strong when on the field during his time in Chicago, starting 40 games over his three years with the team. In 2024, Jones’ 77.4 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 21/140 tackles. However, he appeared in just 12 games after suffering a season-ending ankle injury. That came after just 11 appearances in 2023 due to injury. Jones may have the starting job now, but his first order of business is simply proving he can remain on the gridiron.

A second-round pick by the Bears in 2025, Johnson likes what he sees from Trapilo. He was a standout right tackle at Boston College, earning First-team All-ACC honors in 2024. However, now he is being tasked with moving over to the left side. How he responds to live action during the preseason will determine Trapilo’s rookie playing time.

It’s still early in camp and Jones is still ramping up from his injury layoff. But as it stands, the veteran holds the upper hand at left tackle.

Rookie treatment 

Trapilo wasn’t the only rookie to earn backup duties on the first depth chart. As Johnson builds the foundation of his roster, he is relying on his veterans to start before easing his rookies into larger roles.

Luther Burden was the Bears’ first of three second-round picks. However, he missed time during the offseason program with a soft tissue injury. As it stands, he sits behind veteran Olamide Zaccheaus for the third wide receiver job. Zaccheaus will certainly have a role throughout the year, but it’d be shocking to see Burden not rise up the depth chart as he gets more acclimated to the NFL.

Seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai has been drawing plenty of buzz throughout the offseason despite his draft status. Still, he is listed as the fifth-string running back. It was inevitable D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson would be ahead of him. Perhaps Johnson is trying to send Monangai a message by listing him behind players such as Ian Wheeler and Travis Homer.

At linebacker, the Bears took a big gamble on Ruben Hyppolite in the fourth-round. He has a rare brand of speed and athleticism you don’t often see from the position. Still, he is listed behind Noah Sewell and Amen Ogbongbemiga, meaning Johnson still wants to see the rookie prove himself.

Chicago Bears indecisiveness

Johnson noted that he wouldn’t use the classic ‘or’ designation on his depth chart. However, at both tight end and defensive tackle, the head coach was a bit indecisive in his listing.

While the other rookies were relegated to backup roles, Colston Loveland was listed as a second starter at tight end. Rather than being behind Cole Kmet, who is also listed as starter, Johnson gave him his own role. The Bears will run plenty of 12 personnel, meaning both tight ends will share the field. But having two tight end starters instead of a third wide receiver is a peculiar decision.

As is listing five starting defensive tackles. The initial depth chart’s defense featured 12 players, meaning one will have to be relegated to a backup role. But Johnson isn’t ready to cross that bridge just yet, leaving things open to competition.

Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter and Dayo Odeyingbo are all locked into starting roles. That leaves veteran Andrew Billings as the odd man out. But with the Bears’ run defense falling off a cliff after Billings’ season-ending injury, perhaps Johnson wants to give him an opportunity to earn a prominent role once more.

Ultimately though, Johnson will need to make some depth chart cuts as the roster fully comes together.

The post 3 biggest takeaways from Chicago Bears’ first depth chart reveal appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Head coach Ben Johnson’s arrival to the Chicago Bears has brought an immense level of buzz to the Windy City. And now, the Bears have their first blueprint in place for what Johnson’s initial Chicago roster will look like, via Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic.

Bears unofficial depth chart pic.twitter.com/2pypTVneak

— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 5, 2025

Outside of some positions, Bears fans must take the first depth chart with a grain of salt. It’s unofficial after all. Following Chicago’s joint practices and preseason games, there will surely be changes as Johnson figures out how to put all the pieces together. Still, the Bears’ opening depth chart at least gives fans an idea of where Johnson’s head is at.

The head coach has made it clear how important he views joint practices to be, scheduling two in his debut season. Heading into their first preseason matchup against the Miami Dolphins, the Bears’ first depth chart should provide some extra motivation to any player on the roster looking to make an impact.

At the same time, Johnson is emphasizing the unofficial aspect of their depth chart. He is hoping it breeds competition, but he wants his team to understand that there’s still a long way to go until Week 1, via the team’s Tuesday press conference.

“Training camp is about competition,” Johnson said. “We’re trying to earn the right for the 53, we’re trying to earn a role. Defensively we don’t know who will be up for certain packages going into Week 1. Offensively, there’s a lot of battles going on. The message to the players was don’t look too far into the depth chart, particularly at this point in training camp.”

Coach Johnson is speaking with the media https://t.co/6p18m4osPt

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 5, 2025

Chicago Bears depth chart reveals tight end twist 

The first depth chart is sure to be analyzed fully until a new one is revealed. But on first glance, perhaps the most noticeable inclusion is that both Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland are listed as starters. Kmet holds the TE1 role over Loveland, but the rookie has his own starting job on the offense rather than being behind the veteran.

Johnson was known to run plenty of 12 personnel during his time with the Detroit Lions. Both Kmet and Loveland are sure to share to field quite often as Johnson introduces his offense in Chicago. The first depth chart draws more questions on exactly how they’ll be used, but clearly the Bears head coach has big plans in mind for both.

As the season draws closer, perhaps Johnson narrows down the field. He listed five starting defensive linemen which seems unfeasible, meaning eventually the depth chart will need to be crunched down. But even if/when that depth chart realignment comes for Kmet and Loveland, it won’t change much. Johnson is expecting both of them to be key offensive weapons for quarterback Caleb Williams and help re-define the Bears’ offense.

The post Chicago Bears release first depth chart of Ben Johnson era appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Throughout Chicago Bears training camp, all eyes have been on quarterback Caleb Williams. In some cases, that has done more harm than good for the Bears.

During a recent net drill, Williams was seen visibly upset after missing numerous targets. His reaction went viral on social media with fans clowning the quarterback for his outburst. It may have just been one drill, but now Colin Cowherd has joined in on the mockery.

The pressure on Williams’ shoulders is vast coming off of a 5-12 rookie season. For Cowherd, having blow ups like the quarterback did at practice is only counterintuitive to Williams and the Bears succeeding, via The Herd.

“When a quarterback is unproven like Caleb Williams, camp matters more. Not just for the player, but the staff. Last year in camp, the effusive praise for Jayden Daniels, we said on the air, ‘I’ve never heard anything like this.’ It mattered. What Dan Quinn was seeing last year in camp, he couldn’t get his eyes off of it. They couldn’t believe it.”

“So all of this stuff matters, and it matters more for young, unproven quarterbacks,” Cowherd continued. “It’s not just your confidence. It’s your staff’s confidence with you.”

Did the Bears miss the net with Caleb Williams? @colincowherd pic.twitter.com/y5h0TLfe8V

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 4, 2025

Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels comparison 

For the remainder of their NFL careers, Williams and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will be forever linked. That’s the nature of the beast when you go first and second overall in the NFL Draft. In the first act of their rivalry, Daniels got the upper hand in a significant way.

The Commanders star won Rookie of the Year by throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Furthermore, Daniels ran for 891 yards and six touchdowns. Williams on the other hand ran for 489 scoreless yards. He threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. Daniels led the Commanders to the NFC Championship while the Bears went 5-12 overall.

Their performances in training camp won’t determine who the better quarterback is. But Cowherd is right that Daniels is drawing a significant amount of hype. With the Bears consistently being deemed offseason champions, it’s fair to wonder if Williams hasn’t received the same level of praise. Regardless, both quarterbacks are on different tiers entering the 2025 campaign.

Williams will have an opportunity to change the narrative in Week 6 on Monday Night Football. Based on the Hail Mary chaos that happened last time it happened, all of the NFL world will have their eyes glued to the matchup.

Chicago Bears turn to Ben Johnson

The Bears spent all offseason building around Williams. Between a new offensive line and extra playmakers, it’s clear Chicago believes in their quarterback. Hiring Johnson as head coach gives Williams a true leader to mold his NFL career around.

One area Johnson has continuously discussed throughout the offseason is Williams’ body language. The head coach has even altered the way the quarterback gets up after a hit. Surely Williams’ body language during the net drill has been discussed. His reaction is not a long-term issue, but Johnson must keep it in mind as he continuous building Williams’ mental game.

Overall, one of Johnson’s most prominent jobs with the Bears is helping Williams reach his No. 1 pick ceiling. Put simply, if the quarterback takes a step forward, so will Chicago. But if he continues to struggle, the Bears will find themselves in quicksand.

Luckily for Williams, Johnson has proven he knows how to coach former No. 1 overall picks. During the former offensive coordinator’s final season with the Detroit Lions, Jared Goff finished second in passing yards (4,629) and fourth in passing touchdowns (37). The Lions as a whole finished second in total offense, averaging 409.5 yards per game.

It’ll take time for Williams and the Bears to hit those numbers, but it’s at least a sign of what Johnson brings to the table. Still, the quarterback clearly still has some work to do to avoid the wrath of Cowherd and the NFL world at large.

The post Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams brutally roasted by Colin Cowherd over training camp disaster appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears had their most physical training camp practice to date on Tuesday. However, the team also saw one of their most crucial offensive weapons suffer a worrying injury.

Tight end Cole Kmet was seen leaving the field with a trainer, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN. Kmet was visibly upset amid his departure, via Mark Carman of CHGO.

Also, Cole Kmet went back into the building with trainer Andre Tucker not long after a 7 on 7 period.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 5, 2025

Cole Kmet visibly upset leaving the field with a trainer. Has yet to return.

— Mark Carman (@thecarm) August 5, 2025

There is no word yet on the exact type of injury Kmet is dealing with. Meaning for now, Bears fans must hold their breath. But if the tight end is dealing with a long-term ailment, it would take a massive bite out of Chicago’s offense. Chicago will likely update Kmet’s status soon, at which point those fans will either be breathing a sight of relief or grasping for air.

What Cole Kmet offers Chicago Bears 

With the Bears using their No. 10 overall pick on fellow tight end Colston Loveland, Kmet immediately saw his name in trade rumors. But on the contrary, head coach Ben Johnson has been adamant that the tight end will still have a feature role in the offense. Kmet had looked impressive during Loveland’s own injury absence and appeared well on his way to following through on Johnson’s claim.

The tight end is coming off of a down season, catching 47 passes for 474 yards and four yards. But everyone on the Bears’ offense is coming off of a poor campaign. A year prior, Kmet set new career-highs with 73 receptions and 719 yards. In 2023, he set a new career-best with seven touchdown grabs.

Johnson loved to run 12 personnel during his time with the Detroit Lions, meaning Kmet and Loveland should share the field quite often. However, each offer completely different skill sets. Kmet will be more a blocker and short-to-intermediate player while Loveland will be a playmaker all over the gridiron. Both will be mismatches against linebackers and carry big roles in the red zone.

But at least in Kmet’s case, that’s all a moot point until more information about his injury is revealed. Perhaps it was something minor and the Bears are just operating with precaution. Still, Kmet’s reaction to the injury casts some dark clouds over the situation.

The post Chicago Bears star leaves field ‘visibly upset’ with injury appeared first on ChiCitySports.

On Sunday, the Chicago Bears will take on the Miami Dolphins in their first preseason matchup. Ben Johnson will officially coach his first game with the Bears. But for all the excitement brewing, Johnson isn’t willing to reveal all of Chicago’s secrets.

The Bears have gone through plenty of changes during the offseason, starting with the head coach. Johnson’s new dynamic scheme may get some getting used to. While practice is one thing, being able to actually play live reps against a real opponent will tell a much broader story of the Bears’ current roster.

Still, despite it being a preseason matchup, Johnson was non-committal about the starters playing against the Dolphins, via the team’s Tuesday press conference. He plans to meet with Miami head coach Mike McDaniel to get a better understanding of both side’s intentions during joint practices and the preseason game. Once then discussing things over with his staff, Johnson will have a better understanding of the team’s preseason plans.

“To be determined,” Johnson said of the starters playing during the preseason. “I’m going to visit with the staff tomorrow and finalize that. We’re focused on this practice, then we’ll make a decision on starters who’s playing what and how long and all that.”

“We’ve been very strategic with trying to maximize our reps. We feel that offensively, defensively really the amount of reps we’re getting is what we need right now as a team so that we’re learning and growing,” Johnson continued. “Maybe those are out on the grass under the lights, or maybe those are in a practice setting.”

Coach Johnson is speaking with the media https://t.co/6p18m4osPt

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 5, 2025

What Chicago Bears must learn during preseason 

After taking on the Dolphins, the Bears will face off against the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in preseason play. While the final score won’t count, each game will give Chicago an opportunity to evaluate what they have. Johnson can then make the proper adjustments leading into his true debut in Week 1.

Throughout the entire season, pre, regular or post, the biggest focus in the Windy City will be quarterback Caleb Williams. However he performs against exterior competition will set the tone entering the season. The Bears will go as far as Williams does and preseason struggles would only cast more doubt on Chicago.

The team will also be debuting a new-look offense line. With a three-way battle at left tackle still occurring, the Bears will get more answers on who their fifth piece will be. Furthermore, all five members of the line will have an opportunity to finally play together. Add in the current competition at running back as well as rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden joining the team and there is plenty to dissect on offense.

There are still looming questions on the defensive side too, however. Chicago’s pass rush next to Montez Sweat must still be figured out, as well as their rotation at defensive tackle. Playing in the NFC North, the Bears know they must be more stout up front and bring more chaos to opposing team’s backfields.

Chicago’s secondary is one of the team’s strengths. But cornerback Jaylon Johnson is battling a leg injury while Tyrique Stevenson is looking to prove he should remain a starter. At linebacker, the Bears are a bit shorthanded after Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards.

The Bears playing football will have any fan excited. While expectations will be tempered during the preseason, there’s still plenty to pay attention to in Chicago.

The post Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson holds Caleb Williams preseason plan close to vest appeared first on ChiCitySports.

On Friday, the Chicago Bears will host the Miami Dolphins for their first joint practice prior to their Week 1 preseason matchup. Head coach Ben Johnson has stated that he’ll be looking at the practice much like he would a live game situation. Many of those on the Bears are now following in his footsteps.

Ultimately, Chicago’s biggest wish is ending the week healthy. All of the offseason hype would pop like a balloon should a serious injury concern. But now playing against live competition, Johnson will get a better understanding of his team. It’ll be easier to make roster decisions and smooth out the depth chart knowing what each player looks like against an actual opponent.

For every player on the roster, their practice on Friday and preseason opener is their best opportunity to make a strong first impression on Johnson. Clearly these joint practices hold heavy weight in his book. Both right tackle Darnell Wright and pass rusher Dayo Odeyingbo understand the significance and are chomping at the bit to line up across from the Dolphins, via Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune.

“It’s going against some different faces, some different types of athletes. It’s seeing how similar things translate with different schemes,” Wright said. “That’s probably the biggest thing.”

“They can be intense,” Odeyingbo added. “You’re kind of defending your home turf, especially in this situation. They can be a little chippy. Everybody is excited to get to go against someone else — and someone you’re not trying to look out for because it’s not your teammate.”

What to watch during Chicago Bears-Miami Dolphins joint practice

All eyes will be on quarterback Caleb Williams during all training camp practices. His performance throughout camp has hit both major highs and lows. If he is shows a strong level of improvement against the Dolphins, it’d be extremely telling of his progress under Johnson.

Elsewhere on the offense, left tackle will continue to be the biggest question mark. Braxton Jones, Kiran Amegadjie and Ozzy Trapilo have all been splitting first-team reps. How they stack up against a team that wants to get to the quarterback will go a long way to deciding the competition. Furthermore, rookies Luther Burden and Colston Loveland still need to get acclimated to the offense while the running back room is still being configured. Any skill position player could rise up the depth chart with impressive play against the Dolphins.

On the flip side, Chicago is still figuring out their pass rush situation. Odeyingbo will play a massive role next to Montez Sweat, but is former fifth-rounder Austin Booker enough off the edge? The same can be asked for fourth-rounder Ruben Hyppolite at linebacker. Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards are leading the way, but can the unheralded rookie really earn an immediate prominent role? Then there is the starting role next to cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Right now, Tyrique Stevenson has a stranglehold on the job. But he’ll need to impress Johnson and company to maintain it.

While expectations should be tempered a bit simply because it’s the preseason, the Bears are taking their matchup against the Dolphins seriously. It’ll be a major step for Johnson in his Chicago tenure. The practice and game will also help define the team’s roster heading into the regular season.

The post Chicago Bears chomping at bit for Miami Dolphins training camp opportunity appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Dennis Allen will be making numerous changes as the Chicago Bears new defensive coordinator. But when it came to the team’s starting linebackers, everything seemed fairly straightforward entering training camp. However, Allen has some tricks up his sleeve when it comes to building his first Bears defense.

Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards are the unquestioned leaders atop the linebacker depth chart, that isn’t changing. Under former head coach Matt Eberflus, Edmunds played middle linebacker while Edwards was on the weakside. Both players saw success at times, but it’s hard to say if either hit their true peak.

Throughout training camp, Allen has had each linebacker playing both positions, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Edwards has experience at middle linebacker during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles while Edmunds’ athleticism and 6-foot-5, 250 pound frame could fit well on the weakside in Allen’s new scheme, Finley opines.

Overall, Allen will continue mixing and matching his linebackers to figure out what would be the best fit. It’s a challenge that both players welcome as they look to help the Bears get back on track.

“I’m going to do whatever they put me out there [for],” Edmunds said. “Whatever position is out there, whatever they want me to play, I’m going to do my thing. I’m going to leave it up to the coaches.”

“Tremaine and I are still king of doing both,” Edwards added. “Honestly, it really helps us learn the defense and just understand big-picture-wise what we’re doing. I think we’re both comfortable in either role. And as you know, as we start getting closer here, those things will start to get determined and decided in that way.”

Tremaine Edmunds must step up  

The Bears signed Edmunds to a four-year, $72 million contract heading into the 2023 season. Since joining the team, he has made 233 tackles, 15 passes defended and five picks, even taking one to the house. However, the linebacker hasn’t necessarily lived up to expectations in the Windy City.

Edmunds was named to the Pro Bowl twice with the Buffalo Bills. He has failed to reach those marks with the Bears, as his 2024 59.2 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranked 119/189 linebackers, paints a telling picture. Edmunds is the fourth-highest paid player on Chicago’s roster. If he doesn’t take a step forward, the Bears will need to seriously consider his future.

Still, the NFL at large still thinks highly of Edmunds, with coaches, scouts and executives ranking him the No. 6 overall off-ball linebacker in the league, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Furthermore, he has drawn rave reviews throughout training camp. If Allen is able to unlock Edmunds’ potential, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him take a massive step forward.

Chicago Bears pay TJ Edwards 

After two years in Chicago, the Bears awarded Edwards a two-year, $20 million contract extension. He is now poised to lead the linebacking unit for the foreseeable future. If everything goes to plan, Edmunds will be joining him.

Over his 34 games with the team, he has made 284 tackles, 10 passes defended, 6.5 sacks and four interceptions. Like Edmunds, Edwards struggled in 2024 with a 60.7 grade from PFF, ranking 108/189 linebackers. However, his Bears debut saw him record a career-high three interceptions and tie his career-best seven passes defended while recording 155 tackles.

Clearly, Chicago views the linebacker as a key figure in their defense moving forward. At either middle or weakside linebacker, Edwards must prove he is worth his contract extension. But like Edmunds, the 28-year-old is embracing Allen’s gambit and is ready to take on any position assigned to him.

The post Chicago Bears considering major linebacker shake up appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago White Sox continued forging ahead in their rebuild and operated as sellers during the 2025 MLB trade deadline. While Luis Robert Jr remained on the roster, the White Sox still swung plenty of deals.

One of their most notable was trading Adrian Houser to the Tampa Bay Rays for infielder Curtis Mead. Chicago had plucked Houser up from the Texas Rangers’ minor league system. He had a dominant run on the South Side, ultimately proving the White Sox’s gamble worthwhile. With Chicago more focused on the future, they were elated to land a prospect of merit for Houser, who is on an expiring contract.

In turn, the Rays were hopeful Houser would bring some extra firepower to their playoff push. While Tampa Bay remains optimistic, the right-hander fell flat on his face in his Rays debut. Houser allowed 11 hits and five earned runs over 5.2 innings, striking out three and walking one. Over his 11 starts with the White Sox, he never allowed more than three runs. The 11 hits allowed also mark a new season-high.

Adrian Houser in his Rays debut:

5.2 IP
11 H
5 ER
1 BB
3 K

It’s the most hits and earned runs he’s allowed in a game all season. pic.twitter.com/zaR3FmT4Vj

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) August 5, 2025

Chicago White Sox’s Adrian Houser trade 

Houser always seemed more likely than not to be traded by the White Sox. A veteran on an expiring contract playing for a rebuilding team will always hear their name in rumors. However, it was Houser’s performance on the South Side that truly put him on the map.

Over his 11 starts with the team, the right-hander held a 2.10 ERA and a 47/22 K/BB ratio. He had a true career resurgence, making him an intriguing trade target. Whether he bounces back from his rough debut is yet to be seen. But that is the Rays’ issue now, the White Sox are more concerned with Mead’s development.

The infielder has played in 111 major league games over three seasons with the Rays. However, he is hitting a meager .238 with five home runs, 20 RBI and six stolen bases. Most of that production has come in 2025, with Mead hitting three home runs and stealing four bags while driving in eight runs. But it has come with a career-worst .226 batting average.

Still, it wasn’t long ago that Mead was considered one of the better prospects in baseball. In 2022 he ranked as the No. 2 prospect in Tampa Bay’s organization and No. 33 in all of baseball, via MLB Pipeline. Over 398 minor league games, Mead has hit .298 with 57 home runs, 237 RBI and 37 stolen bases. He even offers positional versatility, with plenty of experience at both second and third base.

The White Sox took a chance on Houser, hoping he would develop into potential trade bait at the deadline. Their plan worked flawlessly, landing a former top prospect with MLB experience. Houser will now have an opportunity to pitch in meaningful games while Mead gets an opportunity to shine with a change of scenery.

The post Key Chicago White Sox trade deadline mover destroyed in new team debut appeared first on ChiCitySports.

As head coach Ben Johnson made his arrival to the Chicago Bears, he carefully stocked his coaching staff with faces old and new. He wanted experienced minds who will help get him acclimated to life as a head coach. At the same time, he wanted to Bears to be infused with fresh ideas.

One name that didn’t change upon Johnson’s arrival was special teams coordinator Richard Hightower. He has been with the Bears since 2022 and has been coaching in the NFL since 2006. Hightower will certainly have plenty of insight for Johnson as he begins his head coach tenure.

It hasn’t taken long, but Johnson has already made a strong first impression on the special teams coordinator. As training camp rages on, the head coach earned a glowing endorsement from the well traveled Hightower, via CHGO.

“I can tell you, we got a damn good head coach here,” Hightower said. “You guys just watch.”

Richard Hightower underlines that he has been around a lot of great head coaches. Ben Johnson has him very excited:

"I can tell you, we got a damn good head coach here. You guys just watch."

— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) August 4, 2025

Richard Hightower coaching history 

It’s not shocking to see an assistant back their head coach. But when it came to Hightower’s message, it raises a few eyebrows. The special teams ace has been around plenty of talented head coaches in career. The fact Hightower already thinks so highly of Johnson is telling.

Hightower played his college football under the legendary head coach Mack Brown. When he joined the NFL as an assistant with the Houston Texans, Super Bowl champion Gary Kubiak was his head coach. Eventually, Hightower joined the then Washington Redskins, linking up with Mike and Kyle Shanahan.

He would follow the latter to the San Francisco 49ers when Shanahan was named head coach. The 2017 marked the first time Hightower earned the full title of special teams coordinator. He stayed in the Bay until making his leap to the Windy City.

Hightower understands the lofty expectations placed on Chicago’s shoulders. But he is also confident Johnson is the right man to the lead the Bears to success.

Chicago Bears counting on Ben Johnson 

Chicago’s main goal throughout the offseason was building around quarterback Caleb Williams. They gave him a new offensive line and even more playmakers to target. But hiring Johnson as head coach will be the key to helping Williams reach his No. 1 pick potential.

During his time with the Detroit Lions, Johnson helped the franchise reach unforeseen franchise heights. During the 2024 campaign, Detroit ranked second in total offense, averaging 409.5 yards per game. Quarterback Jared Goff finished second in passing yards (4,269) and fourth in touchdowns (37).

For all of Johnson’s offensive magic, it won’t be as simply fixing the Bears. Williams gives him a strong building block to work with. However, this is a Chicago team coming off a season in which they ranked dead last in total offense, averaging 284.6 YPG.

If Johnson is able to elevate the Bears offense to new heights, Chicago will look like a much different team for all the right reasons in 2025. Hightower is confident that’ll be the case. Now it’s up to the Bears, and specifically Johnson, to prove their special teams coordinator correct.

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While the Chicago Bears have made massive improvements across their roster, one clear area of concern is the pass rush. If the Bears really wanted to make a blockbuster addition, one of the best pass rushers in football has come become available for trade.

After not being able to come to terms on a long-term contract agreement, All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons has requested a trade from the Dallas Cowboys. While Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is trying to mitigate the issue, they may have no other choice but to move their franchise star.

If Parsons were to actually be traded, there would be multiple hurdles for the Bears. It’s a similar situation to when Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals came up in trade rumors. But if Chicago really wanted to make a Super Bowl swing, Kevin Fishbain of the Athletic outlined exactly what it would take for a Parsons trade to come to fruition.

Bears trade 2026 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2027 third-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick to Cowboys for Parsons, 2027 fourth-round pick, 2027 seventh-round pick

“Tongue firmly planted in cheek here, especially with the specifics of this offer, because the salary-cap space isn’t in an ideal spot for this, but the synergy is too fun to ignore,” Fishbain wrote. “The last time the Bears had a first-year head coach, second-year quarterback, veteran defense and coordinator and a general manager fresh off a contract extension, they traded for Khalil Mack. And that season is their only division title since 2010! This offer is the same as Mack, but the Bears get a fourth-round pick back instead of a second. Why not do it again?”

Logistical problems in Micah Parsons trade 

For starters, dealing away massive draft capital may not be the correct decision as head coach Ben Johnson builds his team. The Bears have gotten plenty of hype throughout the offseason, but they’re still coming off of a 5-12 campaign. Giving up two first-round picks would leave Chicago barren should Parsons’ arrival not produce a Super Bowl.

But draft picks are theoretical, and if the Bears are in the playoffs, they’ll be late in the first round anyway. But there lies an even bigger problem. Alongside trading for Parsons, the Bears must sign him to a massive contract extension. That’s the whole reasons Parsons’ name is in trade rumors to begin with.

As it stands, Chicago has the sixth-lowest amount of cap space remaining at just over $13 million, via Over the Cap. They could shuffle some contracts around to make the numbers work. However, a Parsons trade would severely cap any future moves by the Bears.

The only way Chicago would make a Parsons deal is if they believe he is the missing piece to a Super Bowl. It’s a major longshot, but not completely out of the realm of possibilities.

“They’ve already invested a lot of money in the defensive line (Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett),” Fishbain continued. “They could stand to be a little more patient and let QB Caleb Williams grow into this offense as opposed to forgoing so much draft capital to kick off the Ben Johnson era. Then again, if Johnson thinks they’re a Micah Parsons away”

Imagining Parsons on Chicago Bears 

Take away all the roadblocks and the idea of Parsons on the Bears is extremely tantalizing. He and Montez Sweat would be one of the most feared pass rush duos in the league. Furthermore, a trade would showcase that Johnson and company are truly confident in the team’s ability to compete.

Parsons has made the Pro Bowl all four seasons he has been in the NFL, being named an All-Pro twice and taking home the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year. He has put up 256 tackles, 112 quarterback hits and 52.5 sacks. The pass rusher has made double digit sacks every season, with a high of 14 in 2023.

The Bears haven’t had a double digit sack artist since Robert Quinn made 18.5 in 2021. Furthermore, they haven’t had a pass rusher as consistent as Parsons in recent franchise history. Opposing offensive linemen having to deal with both Parsons and Sweat, let alone Gervon Dexter, Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo, would be a daunting task weekly.

On top of all of his success, Parsons is just 26-years-old. He’d be a player the Bears could build their defense around for the foreseeable future. There’s no doubting the pass rusher makes Chicago stronger. But the Bears would be taking a massive gamble to actively pursue a Parsons trade.

The post Chicago Bears insider gives blueprint for blockbuster Micah Parsons trade appeared first on ChiCitySports.

When all the offseason hype dies down, the Chicago Bears will be lined up against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1’s edition of Monday Night Football. Whoever comes away victorious will earn immense bragging rights and an early NFC North lead.

Both squads will look much different during the 2025 campaign. The Bears are now led by head coach Ben Johnson, will be looking to help quarterback Caleb Williams reach his No. 1 pick potential. In turn, the Vikings will finally see the debut of fellow quarterback JJ McCarthy, who went No. 10 overall in that same draft class.

How McCarthy fares will play a massive role in both Week 1 and throughout Minnesota’s entire season. However, there’s a solid chance he isn’t playing with a full deck against Chicago. After being arrested for a DUI in July, the Vikings are bracing for Addison to face a three-game suspension from the league, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

“A looming issue at Vikings camp is Jordan Addison’s availability to start the season,” Fowler wrote. “My sense after asking around is the Vikings are bracing for roughly a three-game suspension for Addison, who in July pleaded no contest to a lesser charge to resolve a 2024 DUI citation. The team’s projection is based in part on the league’s recent precedent for three-game suspensions for DUI-related offenses.”

The Vikings still have a talented crop of pass catchers, headlined by All-Pro Justin Jefferson. Still, Addison has caught 133 passes for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns over his two years in Minnesota. Losing him for Week 1 would be a major blow to the Vikings’ offense, while the Bears would be taking a sigh of relief.

Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings history 

In their all-time season series, the Vikings hold a 68-58-2 advantage over the Bears. Minnesota has won seven of their last eight matchups, including both during the 2024 campaign.

In Week 12, the Bears took the Vikings to the brink. After leading 14-10 at halftime, Minnesota only added insult to injury, entering the fourth quarter with a 24-10 advantage. But Williams managed to lead three scoring drives, featuring two touchdown passes that helped push the game into overtime. However, once there, the Vikings earned a 30-27 victory with a 29-yard field goal. The Bears’ overtime drive stalled out due to a sack and delay of game.

The rivals’ Week 15 matchup was a bit more straightforward. The Vikings got out to a 13-0 lead at halftime and never took their foot off the gas. The Bears scored two fourth quarter touchdowns, but it was too little too late as they fell 30-12.

Perhaps the most telling argument in the Bears-Vikings rivalry is their recent playoff history. Minnesota has been to the postseason six times since Chicago last won a playoff game. Week 1 will give the Bears an opportunity to prove things are different and the Vikings a chance to retain their NFC North status.

Williams-McCarthy era begins 

Williams and McCarthy will forever be linked throughout their NFL careers. Not only were they in the same draft class, but both have been linked to the opposite team. Williams requested the Bears trade their No. 1 pick to the Vikings before the draft while general manager Ryan Poles seriously contemplating selecting McCarthy. But that is now all in the past, it is up to both quarterbacks to prove they can lead their franchise to the promised land.

McCarthy missed his entire rookie season after suffering a torn meniscus. While the Vikings watched Sam Darnold have a breakout season in his absence, they decided to let him walk in free agency. McCarthy now has the keys to Minnesota’s castle. He has plenty of upside, but his lost season leaves plenty of unknowns entering Week 1.

Williams’ first year in the league saw him set a pair of Bears rookie records for passing yards (3,541) and touchdowns (20). However, he failed to live up to his No. 1 pick expectations. Especially with No. 2 overall pick taking the league by storm. Chicago has spent all offseason building around Williams, with a new head coach, offensive line and pass catching room. How the quarterback responds will determine the Bears’ level of success.

The Bears and Vikings will still have plenty of football to play after Week 1. But the matchup will be extremely telling for both franchise’s quarterback situation.

The post Chicago Bears’ rival bracing for major absence in Week 1 clash appeared first on ChiCitySports.

As Ben Johnson took over as Chicago Bears head coach, there were expected to be some offensive speed bumps along the way. But at Sunday’s Family Fest, fans saw the Bears defense come away as clear winners.

Chicago’s offense as a whole, ‘looked sloppy,’ per Johnson. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter drove D’Andre Swift back for a sack in red zone drills. Both Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo recorded sacks while Grady Jarrett broke up a run play and Jaquan Brisker stopped a pair of passes, via Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. It was just one practice, but it was clear Chicago’s defense was in the driver’s seat.

While that does spark some doubt on the offense, it also means the defense is cooking with gas. Specifically, Johnson highlighted Sweat for his effort on and off the gridiron. As the Bears build their new-look defense, it is clear Johnson views the pass rusher as a key leader, via the team’s Sunday press conference.

“I can’t say I see a different player,” Johnson said of coaching Sweat vs. playing against him on the Detroit Lions.  “I’ve just gotten to know him and I’m thrilled with who he is as a person. I think he brings his lunch pail to work every day from the spring time to since we started camp. He’s not afraid to be a little more vocal and talk some noise, which I appreciate. I’m really happy with where he’s at right now.”

What Montez Sweat offers Chicago Bears 

The Bears acquired Sweat in a trade with the Washington Commanders during the 2023 season. Chicago almost immediately signed him to a four-year, $72 million extension. Seeing as Sweat had recorded 35.5 sacks over his five years with the Commanders, it seemed as if the Bears were getting a true building block to build their pass rush around.

On one hand they have, as Sweat has lead Chicago in sacks his two years with the team. However, that has meant just six and 5.5 respectively. Sweat surpassed those numbers in all but one year in Washington. Outside of that 2021 season, the defensive end made no fewer than seven sacks, hitting nine in 2020. Sweat was even named to the Pro Bowl during his split season in 2023, recording a career-high 12.5 total.

As Chicago prepares for the 2025 season, the franchise is expecting Sweat to revert to his standout pass rushing ways. The Bears added both Jarrett and Odeyingbo, which means opposing offensive lines can’t solely focus on Sweat. With an easier path to the quarterback, a rise in production from Sweat becomes clear.

Furthermore, Sweat will now be playing in a much more aggressive scheme under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Players like Carl Granderson and Chase Young have impressed under his tutelage. Now, Allen has a Pro Bowl caliber player in Sweat to work with.

Eventually, Johnson and the Bears want to see their offense dominating practices. But if Sweat keeps up his torrid play, it’ll be difficult to stop Chicago’s defensive front.

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Chicago Bears left tackle Braxton Jones played in just 12 games during the 2024 campaign after suffering a season-ending ankle injury. But now back on the gridiron, Jones is ready to prove why he deserves to be responsible for quarterback Caleb Williams’ blindside.

Despite his veteran status, Jones won’t just be handed the role. Youngsters Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie split first-team reps throughout the offseason program as Jones continued his rehab. Now, all three are battling for the starting left tackle role.

Whether Jones opens the year at left tackle remains to be seen. However, it’s clear he has taken his rehab process seriously and is eager to get back to helping the Bears win football games, via Nicholas Moreano of the Marquee Sports Network.

“I learned a lot of patience – a lot of patience,” Jones said. “After getting surgery, I had to be patient with myself and patient with the people around me. Honestly, I stepped on a lot of toes during that process early on. It was hard to realize that I needed to be more patient with people and allow them to help me, allow them to do things for me.

“But, at the end of the day, I learned that I have to be a little bit more patient and not be so urgent to do everything. When you’re healthy, you’re go, go, go, go. Then, when you’re down like that and injured, you have to be patient and learn that it’s a process and stuff like that.”

Will Braxton Jones remain starting left tackle?

Since joining the Bears in 2022, Jones has started 40 games for the team. That level of NFL experience could give him an edge over his left tackle competitors. However, his injury problems permeated to the 2023 season as well, where he only appeared in 11 games. Before the Bears consider what Jones brings to the gridiron, he must prove he can stay on in consistently.

But when Jones did play in 2024, he looked mighty impressive. His 77.4 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 21/140 tackles. He was 35th in run blocking with his 70.2 grade while Jones’ 80.8 pass blocking grade ranked 17th.

The left tackle is entering his contract season. With a new coaching staff in place, he needs to make a strong first impression. He hasn’t done anything in camp to necessarily hurt his chances. He just needs to hold off Trapilo and Amegadjie while proving he can take on pass blockers consistently.

Jones knows it’ll be a learning process, making his full return to the gridiron, competing in a three-way battle and playing alongside a completely new-look offensive line. But it’s a challenge he welcomes as he looks to conclude a healthy return to play.

“For me, I’m trying to focus on myself and be honest and do what I can to help the others as well,” Jones said. “I’m constantly learning. I use this phrase, ‘that when you’re green you grow and when you’re ripe you rot.’ That’s big for me. I’m always constantly trying to learn. … I just have to focus on getting my ankle right before I can focus on anything else, and feeling right. Just in these last couple days, it has been coming along, and I’ve gotten to see that light at the end of the tunnel, that I can still do the things that I want to do.”

Chicago Bears’ other options 

Amegadjie was a third-round pick by the Bears in 2023. He dealt with injuries of his own, only appearing in six games. The one start he did make, Amegadjie looked a bit overmatched. Still, only 23-years-old, Chicago has high hopes for the offensive lineman.

Unfortunately, the injury bug has bitten again. Amegadjie has been held out of practice with a leg injury. Any missed time will only push him further down the left tackle pecking order. And since head coach Ben Johnson didn’t draft Amegadjie, a failure to impress could have long lasting implications.

Johnson did help select Trapilo in the second-round of the 2025 draft. The rookie received glowing reviews heading into training camp and has held his own when given a starting opportunity. Trapilo’s biggest challenge will simply be moving over to the left side. He was named First-team All-ACC at left tackle in 2024. How he transitions to the other side of the line will determine how much rookie playing time he sees.

Leading into Week 1, Chicago’s left tackle battle is arguably the most must-watch competition taking place. Whoever wins must prove to not be a weak link in Williams’ blocking plans.

The post Chicago Bears’ Braxton Jones gets brutally honest on season-ending injury return appeared first on ChiCitySports.

As Ben Johnson crafts his first offense with the Chicago Bears, all eyes will be on quarterback Caleb Williams and the passing game. But for Johnson’s plans to go off successful, the Bears must make massive strides in the run game as well.

Because of this, Chicago was projected to land a standout running back all offseason. However, the only real addition the Bears made was seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai. Still, the fact the team has been so quiet on the running back front shows how Johnson feels about what he has.

In terms of Monangai, the seventh-rounder has already surpassed any early expectations. While things will be much different during joint practices and the preseason, let alone the regular season, Johnson is already seeing a bright immediate future for the rookie runner, via Patrick Finely of the Chicago Sun-Times.

“I’ve been very pleased with where he’s at,” coach Ben Johnson said after practice. “I think he’s a guy that we’re going to be able to trust this fall.”

Earlier in the offseason, Johnson has referred to Monangai as a “sponge,” when it comes to picking up information and that he expects the running back to be a “glue guy,” on the Bears.

Kyle Monangai attempting to make immediate impact 

There are numerous reasons Monangai fell to the seventh-round. He stands just 5-foot-8 and ran a poor 4.6 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Because of those reasons, Bears fans must temper expectations when it comes to the rookie.

However, there is no doubting Monangai has been drawing considerable buzz throughout the offseason. For all his flaws, he is a clear favorite of Johnson’s. The Bears didn’t just pick his name out of a hat. With Chicago’s new head coach wiping the slate clean, Monangai has been given a true opportunity to prove he can succeed at the NFL level.

He had no problems shining during his five years at Rutgers, running for 3,222 yards and 27 touchdowns. Monangai led the Big Ten with 1,262 rushing yards in 2023 before setting new career-highs in yardage (1,279) and touchdowns (14) in 2024. Monangai was named First-team All Big-Ten.

The rookie still has plenty of prove to make a true impact in year one. However, he has clearly gotten off on the right foot when it comes to impressing Johnson.

Chicago Bears competition 

Monangai simply won’t be handed a feature role though, despite any endorsements from his head coach. As it stands, he is behind both D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson in the running back pecking order.

Swift is poised to enter the season as Chicago’s RB1. His Bears debut saw him earn a career-high 253 carries, rushing for 959 yards and six touchdowns. While the near 1,000 yards is nice, Swift averaged just 3.8 yards per carry. Johnson has worked with the running back in the past and understands his strengths. But Swift must be much more efficient to retain his starting role.

Johnson, the running back, matched Swift’s team-leading six touchdowns in 2024. However, he received just 55 carries overall, running for 150 yards. Johnson has proven to be a talented goal line back, but he needs to show a bit more versatility to land a bigger role.

With running back being deemed such a big need, there will be understandable disappointment should the Bears’ current plans not work out. But if Monangai is as impactful as Johnson thinks he could be, Chicago will have found a true diamond in the rough with their seventh-round pick.

The post Chicago Bears running back hopeful gets stern Ben Johnson endorsement appeared first on ChiCitySports.

With Ben Johnson taking over as head coach, the Chicago Bears have stocked their offense with a litany of talented pass catchers. However, the head coach must still determine how to use all of them to the best of their abilities.

Wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, alongside tight end Cole Kmet already formed a strong core. But the Bears spent their first two draft picks on tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden. They even added another veteran receiver in Olamide Zaccheaus during free agency. If all are at the top of their game, the Bears will be a difficult force to beat weekly.

Throughout training camp, quarterback Caleb Williams is still developing chemistry with his pass catchers. Johnson is still figuring out his initial rotation. But as the Bears prepare for joint practices against the Miami Dolphins, Johnson sees Kmet, Moore Odunze and Zaccheaus as his most trustworthy pass catchers, via the team’s Sunday press conference.

“Those are the three that stand out to me first and foremost,” Johnson said of Kmet, Moore and Odunze. “OZ is doing a great job of being where he’s supposed to be and being a professional. The rookies, they’re still learning, they’re growing, they just haven’t been out there enough to earn that trust yet. Throughout the course of spring and camp those are the four I would bring up.”

Chicago Bears turning to offensive veterans 

Of the four, Odunze still has the most to prove. While Williams took most of the attention due to his rocky rookie season, Odunze’s debut wasn’t as pretty as well. Still, the receiver is a clear favorite of Johnson’s and is line for a major role in the offense. If everything goes as the head coach is planning, Odunze’s draft placement won’t be questioned after 2025.

Moore is the unquestioned leader atop Chicago’s receiving depth chart. Since joining the Bears in 2023, Moore has caught 194 passes for 2,330 yards and 14 touchdowns. After leading the team with 140 targets in Williams’ debut, the receiver will once again be one of the quarterback’s top options. Furthermore, Johnson has even toyed with using Moore out of the backfield, adding another element to his already explosive game.

Kmet’s role on the roster came in question when the team used their No. 10 overall pick on Loveland. However, as the rookie battled back from injury, the veteran proved to be a strong fit in Johnson’s offense. Loveland should still have a massive role as a rookie, but Kmet isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The fact he was the first player listed by Johnson is telling as well.

Zaccheaus won’t make as much noise as the three players above him. However, he has been a trusted WR3 throughout his career. Johnson has been impressed with his ability to accept the secondary role and do whatever is necessary to help the Bears succeed.

As Loveland and Burden get more acclimated into the offense, their place on Johnson’s totem pole will go up. But for now, the head coach is looking to Chicago’s veterans to help Williams and the offense move forward.

The post Ben Johnson reveals initial Chicago Bears playmaking totem pole appeared first on ChiCitySports.

On Sunday, Chicago Bears fans got to see the team in action during the yearly Family Fest. While excitement was surely in the air, the Bears offense didn’t live up to the hype at times.

Overall, Chicago just seemed out of sync. There were flashy plays, but the Bears lacked cohesion. Their struggles were lowlighted most by numerous delay of game penalties. Chicago was forced to burn a timeout when quarterback Caleb Williams left the huddle late, via Jason Leiser of the Chicago Sun-Times. All-in-all, the Bears did not look like a team ready to take the league by storm offensively.

Head coach Ben Johnson wasn’t afraid to call his team out. He understands that installing an offense as dynamic as he is plotting will take some time to master. But by Family Fest, he was expecting to see his offense moving forward rather than stumbling back, via the team’s Sunday press conference.

“We got some good work in. It was sloppy, sloppier than we were hoping we would be at this point,” Johnson said. “We had a couple of really good practices over the last two, and then took us a little while to get going and the pads clicking. But thought towards the end we picked it up, got pretty competitive there.”

“Whether we’re making the same mistake twice or not. I felt like I saw that a couple times today,” he continued. “I know that saturation level has gotten there with these guys, they’re pretty filled up to the brim with information. But at the same time, the installs are slowing down, so we do expect the execution to be a little bit cleaner as we from here on out.”

The delay of game penalties showed continued mental lapses for Chicago. As the Bears learn to succeed in Johnson’s offense, the head coach knows they must lock in their pre-snap fundamentals to win games.

“It’s something we’re going to have to address for sure,” Johnson said. “It showed up more today than it has in practice. This was more like a real game. If it continues like that, we’re not going to win many games.”

Chicago Bears relying on Ben Johnson guidance 

Despite their sloppy play on Sunday, the Bears remain confident in Johnson’s vision for the team. Chicago decided to go all-in on Williams over the offseason. The franchise’s first step was hiring Johnson as head coach.

During his tenure as Detroit Lions offense coordinator, he helped the franchise reach new heights. In the 2024 campaign, the Lions ranked second in total offense, averaging 409.5 yards per game. In turn, the Bears ranked dead last, averaging 284.6 YPG.

It would be quite the turnaround for Chicago to join Detroit’s ranks in year one under Johnson. But the head coach is setting the foundation for a true offensive revival in the Windy City. He has been adamant about his goal of helping Williams become the first Bears quarterback to surpass 4,000 passing yards. Furthermore, he has sung the praises of the team’s crop of talented playmakers.

But if things aren’t going right, Johnson isn’t going to sugarcoat the issue. He understands how bad things have gotten in Chicago and has put his foot down to begin his tenure. Johnson believes in the Bears and knows they’re riding a strong wave of offensive momentum. But Sunday’s practice session shows the team still has plenty of fix before taking on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.

The post Ben Johnson blasts Chicago Bears offense over training camp regression appeared first on ChiCitySports.

When it comes to wide receiver, the Chicago Bears already have a fearsome trio in DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden. Add in veterans like Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay and it may be difficult for an unheralded receiver to make the final roster.

However, JP Richardson has been pushing caution to the wind early in training camp. While the Bears have only practiced thrice, the undrafted free agent has been turning heads. His one-handed grab during Thursday’s session is an early contender for best training camp play.

We see you, @jprichardson17 pic.twitter.com/Oz9gkn90P0

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 23, 2025

Friday’s practice once again saw Richardson operate as one of the more eye-catching players on the gridiron. Courtney Cronin of ESPN is one of the many to be impressed with the undrafted free agent’s play.

“I also keep writing down JP Richardson’s name in my notebook,” Cronin said. “The UDFA wide receiver made back to back catches in team period with the 3s and had put together a good 3 day stretch to start camp.”

I also keep writing down JP Richardson’s name in my notebook. The UDFA wide receiver made back to back catches in team period with the 3s and had put together a good 3 day stretch to start camp.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) July 25, 2025

What JP Richardson offers Chicago Bears 

Richardson spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career with Oklahoma State before transferring to TCU.  Overall, he caught 175 passes for 1,940 yards and two touchdowns. His final season with TCU saw him set new career-highs in receptions (57) and yardage (733).

The undrafted free agent also proved massive value on special teams in 2024, leading the Big 12 with 23 punt returns for 252 yards. Duvernay seems in line to handle the special teams work. However, a strong showing in training camp could catch special teams coach Richard Hightower’s attention.

Ultimately, Richardson has a precarious mountain to climb to make the Bears 53-man roster, let alone see playing time. However, head coach Ben Johnson is looking for playmakers all over the gridiron. If Richardson keeps showing flashing of brilliance, he will certainly make a strong first impression.

Once pads come on though, the undrafted free agent must prove he is legit. Early training camp grabs will always draw attention, especially those of the one-handed variety. But if Richardson is able to keep up his strong performance when the action becomes live, then he’ll have a legitimate case to make the roster.

The post Chicago Bears undrafted free agent pushing for roster spot in training camp appeared first on ChiCitySports.

When Chicago Bears training camp opened up, the spotlight immediately turned to quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense. But so far, the Bears have failed to live up to expectations.

It’s important to note that there have only been three training camp practices. Head coach Ben Johnson is instilling a brand new dynamic scheme, which will take time to learn. Any struggles early on in camp shouldn’t immediate lead the franchise or fans to hit the panic button.

Still, the offense has struggled mightily to start camp. Friday’s session put those issues on full display, with numerous reporters in attendance detailing exactly how bad things got.

First two 11 on 11 sequences for first team offense not very good.

Montez Sweat was in the backfield twice, once untouched as there was a breakdown on the line. Williams had to throw it away both times.

Two completions to Zaccheaus.

One PBU by Josh Blackwell on a short,…

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) July 25, 2025

11 on 11s again for 1st team

1st play – Incomplete to Cole Kmet on the left side.

2nd play – Incomplete quick dump off checkdown right to Swift.

3rd play – Rollout left, Caleb throws back across his body complete to an open Zaccheaus.

4th play – Pass batted down by Blackwell

— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr23) July 25, 2025

3rd practice of #Bears camp has wrapped up.

It was a rough day for the 1st team offense, especially in red zone drills.

Got a glimpse at some dime packages from DC Dennis Allen.

Lot of situational work.

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) July 25, 2025

Williams did throw two touchdown passes during team drills, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN. Finding Rome Odunze, it’s clear that the two former top 10 pick’s chemistry is growing. Still, Johnson will want to see more efficiency from his offense next time they take the field.

“Caleb Williams and the first teamers turn around a rough 7/7 red zone period with back to back completions to Odunze and Zaccheaus in 11/11,” Cronin wrote. “Lots of sticky coverage from Bears DBs near goal line.”

Caleb Williams and the first teamers turn around a rough 7/7 red zone period with back to back completions to Odunze and Zaccheaus in 11/11. Lots of sticky coverage from Bears DBs near goal line.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) July 25, 2025

Chicago Bears not hitting Caleb Williams panic button 

Of course, Williams immediately shining in Johnson’s offense would quell all of the negativity coming out of camp. However, that’d mean there isn’t much room for improvement. Now, Johnson is at least seeing tangible evidence of the issues and can address them directly.

For all the hype Chicago received over the offseason, the franchise is still putting all the pieces together. The Bears have new-look offensive line, but they must learn to play together. Johnson is figuring out the passing attack hierarchy, but he hasn’t had second-round rookie Luther Burden at his disposal. The head coach is still figuring out what works and what doesn’t in the Windy City.

Perhaps most importantly, pads still haven’t come on yet. Once the Bears are in live action, it’ll be clear to see where they stand. If the struggles continue to live speed with their full offense, then things could get a bit worrisome. But for now, the Bears are still in the early days of training camp.

When Chicago practices next, everyone in attendance will be watching to see if Williams and company improve on their performance. As quickly as fans and analysts reacted to the Bears’ struggles, a dominant performance from the offense would silence those doubters quickly.

The post Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears offense still showing discouraging training camp signs appeared first on ChiCitySports.

After seeing Caleb Williams get sacked a league-high 68 times as a rookie, the Chicago Bears took an aggressive approach in ensuring their quarterback stays upright in the pocket. Amongst Chicago’s biggest additions was left guard Joe Thuney.

The Bears acquired Thuney in a trade from the Kansas City Chiefs, who were in a cap crunch with other offensive linemen. Chicago capitalized, making the guard the focal point of their offensive line. As Ben Johnson begins his tenure as head coach, Thuney’s leadership will be crucial.

Despite the Bears’ questions at left tackle, Johnson is hoping it doesn’t come to moving Thuney over. However, playing two positions is something the veteran proved he can excel at with the Chiefs. Entering the 2025 season, Thuney was included on Ted Nguyen of The Athletic’s list of most versatile players. No other offensive lineman was named.

“Some tackles have to bump down to guard because they don’t have the movement skills to play on the edge, but rarely do interior players move outside,” Nguyen wrote. “Last season, because of injuries, Thuney had to do exactly that. He didn’t excel at the position, but he played admirably. He was overmatched at times in the playoffs, and obviously, in the Super Bowl, the entire line was overwhelmed. Still, his move outside displayed rare versatility.”

“The Bears would prefer to keep Thuney inside, but it’s nice to know that they can have solid left tackle play in case of emergency,” he continued. “Thuney also played some center in 2020, which means he has the rare ability to play every position on the offensive line.”

Joe Thuney’s road to Chicago Bears 

Before he even stepped foot in the Windy City, Thuney had already earned four Super Bowl rings. Playing for dynasties like the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, the guard understands what it takes to reach to NFL’s upper echelon.

He may be entering his age-33 season, but Thuney has shown no signs of slowing down. He has been named to the Pro Bowl the past three seasons and has earned All-Pro status in back-to-back years. During the 2024 campaign, Thuney’s 79.9 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 12/136 guards. He was 23/136 with his 73.5 run blocking grade while his 82 pass blocking grade ranked fifth-best.

Alongside helping Johnson and Williams get acclimated, Thuney will be the glue that holds Chicago’s offensive line together. Depending on how training camp shakes out, the Bears could have up to four brand new faces across their line. Having a veteran like Thuney who knows how to survive in the trenches will keep the unit grounded.

Johnson is looking to help the Bears offense reach new franchise heights. With Thuney locked in on the line, the head coach is one step closer to that goal.

Chicago Bears new-look offensive line 

Before the Bears traded for Thuney, they swung a deal for fellow guard Jonah Jackson with the Los Angeles Rams. He isn’t as heralded as Thuney, seeing as he just played four games in Los Angeles and struggled when on the field. However, Jackson dealt with injuries and was playing out of position. Now, he’s playing under a head coach who helped him earn his lone Pro Bowl berth in 2021.

The Bears then dealt out a three-year, $42 million contract to center Drew Dalman. While an ankle injury limited him to just nine games in 2024, he still impressed by ranking fourth out of 64 centers with a 78.8 grade from PFF. Only 26-years-old, Chicago expects Dalman to only grow in Johnson’s system and become a key part of Williams’ blocking scheme.

Johnson has made it clear that Darnell Wright will be remaining at right tackle. He has earned the job with impressive player over his two years with the team. In 2024, his 79.3 grade from PFF ranked 16/140 tackles. While Johnson is prepared to make plenty of changes, he won’t fix what isn’t broken.

Left tackle is an entirely different story though. Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie are all battling for the opportunity to be named starter. How they perform throughout training camp will determine Chicago’s fifth linemen. The Bears cannot afford to have a weak link in front of Williams.

Offensive line was arguably the team’s biggest weakness in 2024. But with Thuney leading the charge, the Bears have turned it into a strength entering 2025.

The post Key Chicago Bears’ acquisition named NFL’s most versatile offensive lineman appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears are entering training camp once again being lauded as offseason champions. However, head coach Ben Johnson and company understand that offseason rankings don’t hang banners. At the same time, it’s hard to ignore the work Chicago put in over the offseason.

For starters, the Bears hired Johnson as their head coach. It was clear quarterback Caleb Williams needed more stability, and the franchise provided that with one of the best offensive minds in the league. Furthermore, the team bolstered both their offensive and defensive lines while adding a pair of tantalizing playmakers in the draft.

Training camp will be extremely telling of the Bears’ immediate future. But at least in Matt Bowen of ESPN’s book, Chicago is entering camp having made three of the best 50 offseason moves. Their Joe Thuney trade got the most praise, ranking No. 3 overall.

“A culture-setter in the offensive line room, Thuney upgrades a critical need for the Bears on the interior of their front,” Bowen wrote. “With a pass block win rate of at least 98% over his past three seasons, Thuney is still viewed as one of the top guards in the league after a brief stint at left tackle for the Chiefs last season. And his presence will keep the pocket firm for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.”

Chicago Bears hit jackpot with Joe Thuney 

Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times during his rookie season. While the quarterback wasn’t faultless, his offensive line did him no favors. Adding a player of Thuney’s caliber gives the Bears a true offensive line building block to work with.

The left guard is coming to Chicago having already won four Super Bowl titles. Despite entering his age-33 season, Thuney is playing at the top of his game. He has made three straight Pro Bowls and has been voted an All-Pro in back-to-back seasons. During the 2024 campaign, Thuney’s 79.9 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 12/136 guards.

Alongside his work on the field, Thuney will also be a crucial leader for the Bears. For as much hype as they’ve received, Johnson is just a first-year head coach whereas Williams is entering his second season. Whenever things get rocky on the offensive side, they could turn to a seasoned veteran like Thuney for guidance.

With Williams as their franchise star, the Bears did everything in their power to build the offense around him. Trading for Thuney proved Chicago was serious about giving their QB a much better blocking scheme.

Drew Dalman, Dayo Odeyingbo make the list 

Also helping Williams stay upright in the pocket will be center Drew Dalman. The Bears signed him to a three-year, $42 million contract over the offseason. Bowen was high on the signing, as Dalman should help fortify the middle of Chicago’s offensive line for the foreseeable future. The center came in at No. 32 on the list.

“The Bears continued to address the interior of the offensive front with Dalman, the top center available in free agency,” Bowen wrote. “He wins his assignments with movement and leverage to offset a smaller frame (6-3, 300 pounds). He is a technician on the tape, best suited for the wide zone run game under new coach Ben Johnson in Chicago.”

“Dalman’s pass block win rate of 95.1% ranked ninth among centers with at least 500 snaps last season,” he concluded.”

Pass rusher Dayo Odeyingbo’s, three-year, $48 million signing rounded out the Bears trio, being ranked as the No. 43 overall move. The 25-year-old showed flashes of greatness while with the Indianapolis Colts, putting up eight sacks in 2023 and 46 total quarterback hits over his four years with the team. Now in the Windy City, Odeyingbo is only expected to get stronger playing next to Montez Sweat.

“At 6-foot-6 and 286 pounds, Odeyingbo has the physical tools to play the defensive end position opposite of Montez Sweat in Dennis Allen’s scheme,” Bowen wrote. “Odeyingbo will also kick inside to rush the passer out of loaded fronts as a hard match-up for interior offensive linemen. He has played all 17 games in each of his past three seasons, racking up 16 sacks and 21 total tackles for loss over that stretch.”

Ultimately, all three additions and everyone on the Bears must prove to be strong fits in Johnson’s new scheme. But at least on paper, things are looking much brighter in the Windy City.

The post Insider argues Chicago Bears made 3 of top 50 moves in 2025 NFL offseason appeared first on ChiCitySports.

D’Andre Swift earned a career-high 253 carries in his first season with the Chicago Bears. However, his performance had everyone thinking the Bears would add a high-impact running back during the offseason.

Swift did gain 959 yards and six touchdowns, but averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry. New head coach Ben Johnson is looking to unleash a dangerous run game in the Windy City. But that cannot happen if Swift is not more efficient with his touches in 2025.

To his credit, the running back isn’t making any excuses for his debut performance. Now under Johnson, Swift is planning to undergo a breakout season, via the Chicago Sports Network.

“We didn’t win that many games last year. I don’t think I produced enough to contribute to more wins, obviously,” Swift said. “Lot of stuff, I feel like I got better at. I’m just looking to overall improve and I’m excited for this opportunity this year.”

“We won four, five games, so it’s like, can’t sit up here and talk about anything positive,” he continued. “Always got something to work on, always got something to get better at. Team success is at a premium, everything else is going to fall in line.”

D'Andre Swift wasn't happy with how his first season in Chicago went, but is excited for the opportunity and new year ahead. pic.twitter.com/zCSlhbCP5J

— Bears on CHSN (@CHSN_Bears) July 24, 2025

Reasons for D’Andre Swift optimism 

Any running back in Chicago will get an extra boost due to the team’s new-look offensive line. Adding guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, alongside Jonah Jackson, should open up more holes to run through.

Swift has proven he can handle a heavy workload, earning his lone Pro Bowl nomination in 2023 with the Philadelphia Eagles. That season, the running back turned 229 carries into 1,049 yards and five touchdowns. Averaging 4.6 yards per carry, perhaps Swift will revitalize himself in a new scheme.

Johnson has seen firsthand the type of running back that Swift can be. In 2022, Johnson’s first year as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, Swift ran for 542 yards and five touchdowns. He also added 48 receptions for 389 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. Johnson at least has a strong understanding of how to best use Swift.

Perhaps the most glaring piece of evidence towards Swift earning a large opportunity is Chicago’s offseason moves. The only significant addition the Bears have made at running back is seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai. At least to start his tenure with the team, Johnson wants to see what Swift brings to the table now in Chicago. In turn, the running back is ready to prove his head coach’s confidence correct.

Chicago Bears’ newest addition 

While Monangai may be a seventh-rounder, he has drawn plenty of hype throughout the offseason. Now, his own teammate in Swift has come to sing his graces, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

“Great addition. He don’t really lack anything from what I’m seeing,” Swift said. “Confident in his style of play, real low to the ground, great catching the ball out of the backfield. Solid, real solid.”

D'Andre Swift on what he's seen from rookie RB Kyle Monangai, including a big run at the end of practice Thursday: "Great addition. He don’t really lack anything from what I’m seeing. Confident in his style of play, real low to the ground, great catching the ball out of the…

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) July 24, 2025

Monangai spent five years at Rutgers, rushing for 3,222 yards and 27 touchdowns. He led the Big Ten with 1,262 rushing yards in in 2023, before setting new career-highs in rushing yardage (1,279) and touchdowns (13) in 2024. Monangai was named First-team All-Big Ten for his efforts.

There’s numerous reasons the running back went in the seventh-round. He’s undersized at 5-foot-9 and ran just a 4.60 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. However, if he continues to make plays throughout training camp, there is a pathway to snaps as a rookie.

The post D’Andre Swift drops blunt take on brutal Chicago Bears debut appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Everyone will be focused on Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears offense during training camp. However, Dennis Allen and Kevin Byard have some tricks up their sleeve on the defensive side as well.

On Thursday, the Bears re-signed Cook after previously releasing him. Upon his return to the team, Byard and the rest of the defense made him do his mandatory 40 up-downs, via Adam Hoge of CHGO. It’s now a part of Chicago’s culture and one Byard plans on implementing for every new defensive addition.

Defensive back Alex Cook, who was cut on report day before getting re-signed after yesterday’s practice, had to do his 40 up-downs that he missed. Kevin Byard said the entire defense circled around him as he “paid his toll” (as Dennis Allen puts it). #Bears

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) July 24, 2025

Kevin Byard said before today's practice, they had Alex Cook who reported to camp and then was cut and is now signed back on the roster do up downs.

The team circled around Cook and watched him. It's a part of Dennis Allen building culture. #Bears

— Bear Report (@BearReport) July 24, 2025

#Bears safety Kevin Byard said Alex Cook, who the Bears re-signed today after releasing him Tuesday, had to do the up-downs that he missed yesterday.

Byard also said whoever joins the defense during the season will have to do the 40 up-downs.

— Michal Dwojak (@mdwojak94) July 24, 2025

Cook may not even end up making the final 53-man roster. However, the way the Bears treated him shows that the foundation Johnson and Allen are building has become sturdy. Players are holding each other accountable for a shared goal of success. It may just be 40 up-downs on the second day of training camp, but to Byard and Allen, the point is building the Bears as a collective unit.

“It was different. It took me back to high school. It almost felt like punishment,” Byard said, via CHGO. “That’s the type of family atmosphere DA is building for this defense.”

Kevin Byard on Dennis Allen having the defense do 40 up-downs yesterday to start practice:

"It was different. It took me back to high school. It almost felt like punishment. That's the type of family atmosphere DA is building for this defense."

— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) July 24, 2025

Chicago Bears must find defensive identity 

Matt Eberflus is a defensive-minded head coach and is now the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys. But amidst Chicago’s 10-game losing streak, the defense just looked lost at times. They were unable to compete against the NFC North counterparts at full strength and ultimately failed to find their footing.

Under Allen, the Bears are expected to be much more disciplined. Not just with the up-downs, but Chicago’s entire coaching staff has been willing to call out players if they aren’t operating the play correctly. Allen understands there is plenty of change and new information being thrown out at training camp, but ultimately, he wants his defense ran correctly.

Working in his favor is the talent Chicago has been able to cultivate at all three levels. At edge, Dayo Odeyingbo is expected to help elevate former Pro Bowler Montez Sweat. Between them will be veteran Grady Jarrett and upstart Gervon Dexter. With Andrew Billings and Shemar Turner as backup, the Bears have invested heavily in improving their defensive line play.

At linebacker, Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards are running the show. Edmunds has already impressed Allen with an impressive training camp interception. Allen’s best secondary piece in Jaylon Johnson is currently out with injury. However, Byard, Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon already make up a strong defensive core. Adding Johnson to the mix makes the unit arguably the team’s biggest strength.

As the Bears try to climb out of the NFC North cellar, they franchise has made major changes throughout their organization. Byard and Allen’s new ritual might not seem major on surface, but it’s extremely telling of Chicago’s newfound defensive identity.

The post Dennis Allen, Kevin Byard cook up new Chicago Bears tradition at training camp appeared first on ChiCitySports.

When Chicago Bears training camp opened, it was revealed that cornerback Jaylon Johnson suffered a multi-week leg injury. While the franchise hasn’t pushed the panic button just yet, it’s clear who the Bears would choose should Johnson miss regular season time.

It’s not yet known if Johnson’s injury will force that issue. General manager Ryan Poles stated that there will be continued updates throughout training camp. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen didn’t think the injury would last long-term. Still, coming off of back-to-back Pro Bowls, missing Johnson for any amount of time is a massive hit to Chicago’s defense.

It would be difficult for the Bears to truly replace the production Johnson brings to the secondary. But in his absence, Chicago has turned to Nahshon Wright over the first two days of training camp, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune and Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

“As in the spring, CB [Nahshon] Wright getting more time with the 1s with Jaylon Johnson absent,” Briggs wrote.

Kiran Amegadjie took snaps with the starters in team drills at left tackle for the #Bears this morning.

As in the spring, CB Nashon Wright getting more time with 1's with Jaylon Johnson absent.

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) July 24, 2025

Bears practice No. 1 just ended. Went from 8:45-10 a.m.
-Rookies Luther Burden III and Zah Frazier were not present. Burden appears to still be dealing with injuries from the spring (landed on a ball awkwardly in minicamp, sustained a soft tissue (hamstring) injury in OTAs)…

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) July 23, 2025

What Nahshon Wright offers Chicago Bears 

The Bears signed Wright to a one-year contract over the offseason. He spent the 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings, although he appeared in just one game. The cornerback is more well known for his three-year run with the Dallas Cowboys.

Over 32 games total, including three starts, Wright put up 37 tackles, five passes defended and an interception. Most of his production came in 2022, when the cornerback set new career-highs with 23 tackles, four pass break ups and his lone pick. Still, despite his overall lack of stats, Allen and the Bears clearly see something in the defensive back.

As does safety Kevin Byard. After Thursday’s training camp safety, the veteran took some time to shout out the rising cornerback, via Zack Pearson of Bear Report.

“He’s been balling,” Byard said. “He had a lot of turnovers in spring.”

"He's been balling. He had a lot of turnovers in Spring." – #Bears safety Kevin Byard on Nahshon Wright.

Wright has been DB2 with Jaylon Johnson out.

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) July 24, 2025

With Johnson down, Chicago isn’t massively loaded with cornerback depth. With Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon locked into starting roles, Terrell Smith and Zah Frazier are seemingly Wright’s biggest competition. However, Frazier is currently away from the team due to a personal matter, and thus far, the Bears have preferred Wright’s fit over Smith.

Ultimately, the Bears are hoping to have Johnson back on the field sooner rather than later. But until he does, Wright seems poised to soak up most of his first-team reps at training camp.

The post Chicago Bears’ preferred Jaylon Johnson replacement revealed during training camp appeared first on ChiCitySports.

For most of the Chicago Bears’ offseason, running back has been considered a serious position of need. However, head coach Ben Johnson disagrees with that assessment.

The Bears entered the offseason with D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson atop their depth chart. With training camp now open, the only significant addition has been seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai. Chicago could always turn back to the free agency well, so far Johnson has been content with what he has.

Training camp now gives the head coach his best opportunity to evaluate the running back at large. So far, he has seen running backs coach Eric Bieniemy getting after each back. But the Bears have responded well and have impressed their head coach, via team’s Thursday press conference.

“Shoot. We’ll find out more once we get the pads on, but extremely coachable,” Johnson said of the running back room. “Improvements on the tracks every single day. We’re very detailed with where we want them to go. They’re all about it. Coach Bieniemy’s doing a phenomenal job. He’s very demanding. He’s one of the more demanding coaches I’ve been around. I think they’re receptive to that type of coaching.”

“I think Swift has done a great job, come back from the summer, he’s in great shape,” he continued. “He had some plays yesterday that weren’t ideal. We might’ve had a guy unblocked in the hole and yet he’s able to extend it and make something happen beyond. Highly motivated group. I know the perception out there is that maybe it’s not the most talented room in the world. They like to hear that noise. So, we’re gonna be just fine.”

Chicago Bears running back room 

The run game was crucial for any offensive success Johnson had with the Detroit Lions. In his final season as offensive coordinator, Detroit ranked sixth in rushing averaging 146.4 yards per game. Both Jahmyr Gibbs (16) and David Montgomery (12) scored double-digit touchdowns while the latter ran for 1,412 yards. While the Bears would have to take quite the leap to hit those numbers in 2025, it’s at least a sign of what Johnson’s arrival brings to the run game.

Still, Swift will need to be more efficient with his touches under Johnson. He earned a career-high 253 yards in his first year with the Bears. While he ran for 959 yards and six touchdowns, Swift averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry. He’ll have a new offensive line and scheme to work with, but Swift must prove he can still handle RB1 duties.

Johnson matched Swift’s six touchdowns in 2024. However, it came on just 55 carries, gaining 150 yards. He must prove he can be more of just a goal line back to secure a larger role. Perhaps Monangai’s mountain is the tallest to climb as a seventh-round rookie. He’ll need to have a standout training camp to earn a role in his first season.

While all eyes will be on Caleb Williams, Chicago’s run game will be crucial for any offensive success. As it stands, Johnson thinks the Bears have a roster prepared to prove the doubters wrong.

The post Ben Johnson drops eye-opening endorsement of Chicago Bears’ running back room appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears are now locked in on Caleb Williams as their franchise quarterback. However, before he went No. 1 overall, the franchise debated whether or not they should stick with what they have in Justin Fields.

When they landed the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 and traded it to the Carolina Panthers, it looked like Chicago was ready to put their eggs into Fields’ basket. But with the Bears acquiring the No. 1 pick a year later, general manager Ryan Poles decided hit hit the franchise reset button.

Since then, Fields joined the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing with the New York Jets over the offseason. He is poised to enter the 2025 campaign as New York’s starting quarterback. However, those plans may have just come to a screeching halt, as Fields was carted off the practice field on Thursday, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.

Early concern for the #Jets: Justin Fields is carted to the locker room. He’s riding shotgun on the cart, not on the back. Oh, boy. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) July 24, 2025

There’s no update on exactly what injury Fields is dealing with. However, Jets fans are now holding their breathe for their potential QB1.

Justin Fields is limping off the field with a trainer. Didn’t see what happened. But he is hurt. #Jets

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) July 24, 2025

Justin Fields’ run with, departure from Chicago Bears

The Bears traded up in the 2021 NFL Draft for the right to select Fields, even giving up their 2022 first-rounder. He was expected to reenergize the offense and give Chicago a spark plug they hadn’t seen before. In some aspects, he did exactly that.

Fields was one of, if not the best quarterback at running the ball his peak in Chicago. He ran for 2,220 yards and 14 touchdowns over his three years with the team. During the 2022 campaign, the quarterback had 1,143 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. However, Fields’ work in the ground game is about where his success with the Bears ends.

As a starter, he went just 10-28 overall. While wins and losses can’t solely be blamed on the quarterback, Fields never developed as a passer. He threw for 6,674 yards 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. He never surpassed 2,600 yards passing or 18 touchdowns thrown in a season.

When the Bears decided enough was enough, Fields was ultimately traded to the Steelers. He looked improved, going 4-2 as a starter. However, head coach Mike Tomlin still decided to bench him for Russell Wilson. The Jets saw everything they needed to see, awarding him the starting job with a $40 million contract.

A seriously injury would obviously wipe New York plans out the window. As for the Bears, seeing as Williams set a pair of team rookie records for passing yards (3,541) and touchdowns (20), they seem confident in their decision.

The post Ex-Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields dealt worrying training camp injury appeared first on ChiCitySports.

As the Chicago Bears open training camp, everyone on the roster is looking to make a strong first impression on head coach Ben Johnson. But with a trio of rookie absences, Johnson doesn’t have the full Bears arsenal at his disposal.

Wide receiver Luther Burden is day-to-day with a soft tissue injury. Johnson is hopeful that’ll only keep him out for a few days, although there’s no set schedule for his return. Fellow second-rounder Shemar Turner suffered an ankle injury on Wednesday and is being further evaluated. Fifth-rounder Zah Frazier is away from the team due to personal reasons, via Chicago’s Thursday press conference.

#Bears HC Ben Johnson says WR Luther Burden III is day-to-day with soft-tissue injury, DE Shemar Turner suffered ankle injury yesterday that's being evaluated and CB Zah Frazier has been excused today for personal reasons.

— Larry Mayer (@LarryMayer) July 24, 2025

The Bears are being cautious with Burden, as they know how crucial he will be for the offseason. But at the same time, Johnson knows that for the rookie for fully understand the offense, he must be on the field.

“We were very hopeful he would be ready to go day one. But the soft tissue he was dealing with in the spring time lingered a little bit longer than we wanted,” Johnson said. “Really, it’s day-to-day with him. Hopeful we’ll get him out there fairly soon though.”

“Everything our training staff says we can do with him physically, we’re utilizing. Coach [Antwaan] Randle El has been all over him in meetings, keeping him involved. He’s being quizzed non-stop. He’s utilizing that time the best he can,” he continued. “But there’s really no substitute for full speed reps. So, the sooner we get him out there, the quicker he can carve out a roll for himself.”

Chicago Bears 2025 rookie class 

The Bears’ rookie injury problems started with first-rounder Colston Loveland. After going No. 10 overall, the tight end sat out the entire offseason program as he recovered from shoulder surgery. But Loveland has now been officially cleared and is back on the training camp gridiron.

Chicago may have a pair of injured second-rounders, but their third, Ozzy Trapilo, is in a heated position battle. He received the first-team reps at left tackle to open training camp. He will continue to split reps with Braxton Jones and Kiran Amegadjie in an effort to earn the starting role.

Fourth-rounder Ruben Hyppolite is battling for the third linebacker job while seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai looks to earn a share of the running back work. Sixth-rounder Luke Newman is solidifying his role as an offensive line backup.

But most pertinent to the Bears at the moment are the injuries to Turner and Burden. Chicago must wait for more information on Turner and hope that Burden’s soft tissue ailment only keeps him off the field a few days.

The post Chicago Bears hit with rash of rookie injuries at training camp appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears have stocked their wide receiver room with talent, featuring names like DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden. But one standout receiver from the 2024 season remains noticeably missing.

Keenan Allen led Chicago with seven touchdown receptions in his lone season with the Bears, adding 70 receptions for 744 yards. But since entering free agency, there hasn’t been much noise about his future. There has certainly been speculation, but as the Bears begun training camp, Allen’s status remained up in the air.

But now, the wide receiver is reportedly drawing widespread interest from numerous teams, via insider Jordan Schultz. Allen wanted to wait until training camp so he could land the best opportunity possible from any wide receiver needy team.

“Free agent WR Keenan Allen, one of the top remaining players on the market, has drawn interest from multiple teams in recent weeks,” Schultz wrote. “My understanding is he’s been waiting for training camps to open to better assess the landscape and get a clearer picture of each team’s wide receiver situation.”

Free agent WR Keenan Allen, one of the top remaining players on the market, has drawn interest from multiple teams in recent weeks.

My understanding is he’s been waiting for training camps to open to better assess the landscape and get a clearer picture of each team’s wide… pic.twitter.com/4e7aclezM1

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 23, 2025

Keenan Allen’s run with Chicago Bears, immediate future

Until pen is put to paper, nothing is truly official. However, it seems highly unlikely that Allen would return to the Bears. Moore is the team’s WR1 and Odunze is poised to take on an even larger role in year two. With Burden occupying the slot, there simply isn’t room for Allen to play, especially due to what he will get contract wise.

Still, that’s not to say the veteran receiver won’t be of value to other teams. Over his 12 years in the league, Allen has caught 974 passes for 11,274 yards and 66 touchdowns. He has been named to the Pro Bowl six times and is still clearly coveted across the NFL.

By waiting for training camp to open, Allen has given himself the best chance to land a premier role. Outside of just joining a contender, he can now see which of those contenders truly need his services. If an injury or sudden departure come up, the rumblings to sign Allen will only grow louder.

The Bears did meet with free agent wide receiver DJ Chark, meaning they could still add to the room. But despite Allen’s increase in free agent interest, it’d be quite the shock to see a Windy City return.

Potential interested teams 

Schultz didn’t go into detail on any of the teams actually showing interest in Allen. But reading through the tea leaves, there are more than one franchise that would make sense as the wide receiver’s landing spot.

The Los Angeles Chargers just saw Mike Williams retire. They have growing star Ladd McConkey as Justin Herbert’s top option, but second-rounder Tre Harris and former first-rounder Quentin Johnston are a bit unheralded. Allen spent the first 11 seasons with the Chargers are could round out his career back with the franchise.

Or, perhaps he could look to join one of the Chargers’ biggest rivals. The Las Vegas Raiders completely changed their franchise over the offseason, signing Pete Carroll as head coach and trading for quarterback Geno Smith. Clearly, they’re trying to compete for a playoff spot in 2025. Adding Allen to the duo of Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers would get Las Vegas closer to that goal.

The Pittsburgh Steelers traded for DK Metcalf this offseason, giving new quarterback Aaron Rodgers a star receiver to work with. However, they also traded away George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Allen could fill that WR2 role and give Rodgers a trustworthy receiver to work with.

The list goes on, as if Allen as at the top of his game, he could help any team’s offense. It’s now up to the receiver to determine his NFL future.

The post Former Chicago Bears wide receiver drawing major free agent interest appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Quarterback Caleb Williams will be the most watched player during Chicago Bears training camp. However, on day one, the defense came away as the true stars.

In particular, veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds started off training camp hot, intercepting Williams on his first pass in 11-on-11 drills. Seeing the defense shine makes sense early in camp, especially as Williams and company learn Johnson’s offense. However, Edmunds himself is entering a make-or-break season. More flash plays like his pick will only put him in stronger graces with his new head coach.

Alongside Johnson, new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was certainly impressed by Edmunds’ play. As he builds his first defense with Bears, Allen expects the linebacker to simply be an, “exceptional playmaker,” via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

LB Tremaine Edmunds nabbed an interception of Caleb Williams on the first snap of 11-on-11 drills this morning. #Bears DC Dennis Allen said he expects him to be an "exceptional playmaker."

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) July 23, 2025

Tremaine Edmunds’ run with Chicago Bears 

After a successful five-year run with the Buffalo Bills, the Bears signed Edmunds to a $72 million contract entering the 2023 season. While he hasn’t been a complete disaster, it’s fair to say the linebacker hasn’t lived up to his billing just yet.

Over 32 games with the team, Edmunds has racked up 223 tackles, 15 passes defended and five interceptions. Four of those picks came in 2023. as Edmunds’ 2024 59.2 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked just 119/189 linebackers. Clearly, the veteran still has a lot to prove entering 2025. And if things really don’t pan out, Chicago does have an out in his contract.

However, the Bears are hopeful Edmunds will return to his game breaking self in 2025. During his time with the New Orleans Saints, Allen was able to coax impressive linebacker play. During the 2024 campaign, Demario Davis put up an eye-catching 136 tackles alongside seven passes defended and an interception. Davis and Edmunds are obviously two completely different players, but it’s easy to see how the latter could be a force in Allen’s scheme.

One interception, even if it opened training camp, isn’t going to change the expectations placed on Edmunds’ shoulders. Despite being a veteran, head coach Ben Johnson is wiping the slate clean and making everyone on the roster earn their opportunity. Still, Edmunds has more than proved he can be a dominant force in the NFL. Now, Allen is just patiently waiting to unleash him once more.

The post Key Chicago Bears defensive veteran gets stern 2-word Dennis Allen appraisal appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Tight end Cole Kmet is entering his sixth season with the Chicago Bears. But now he is preparing to enter a completely different environment under head coach Ben Johnson.

Johnson has brought an explosive energy to Chicago’s offseason program and hasn’t been afraid to call players out if things aren’t going right. During the first practice of training camp, Johnson was heard yelling at quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense. Furthermore, when they didn’t line up right in 7-on-7s, he pulled the entire unit off the field, via Adam Hoge of CHGO.

First #Bears practice is in the books and there were some growing pains.

Ben Johnson got on Caleb & the first-team multiple times, and eventually pulled the entire unit in 7-on-7s after they couldn't get lined up twice in a row.

No sign of Luther Burden.

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) July 23, 2025

But Kmet has seen how bad things have gotten in Chicago. He understands that the Windy City needed some winds of change. While some may view getting yelled at by their coach as a bad thing, Kmet already understands the expectations laid forth by Johnson, via Zack Pearson of Bear Report.

“That’s on par for Ben. If you’re not doing it right, he’s going to pull you out,” Kmet said.

Cole Kmet says he wasn't surprised today when Ben Johnson pulled the first team off of a drill after not lining up properly.

"That's on par for Ben. If you're not doing it right, he's going to pull you out." #Bears

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) July 23, 2025

The tight end even went a bit further, saying the things Johnson got on the offense for are things they should know, via Cassie Carlson of Fox 32. Overall, even if the offense’s performance was perfect to start training camp, Kmet believes in the philosophy his new head coach is bringing.

Cole Kmet on Ben Johnson pulling the #Bears 1st team offense in 7 on 7s:

"That's on par for how Ben is."

Said the play was, "Stuff they should know." @fox32news

— Cassie Carlson (@CassieCarlsonTV) July 23, 2025

Chicago Bears’ new tight end plan 

Johnson has been adamant that Kmet will remain a key part of Chicago’s offense. He is coming off of a down season, but so is everyone on the Bears. Overall, Kmet has caught 258 passes for 2,592 and 19 touchdowns over his five-year tenure.

But Chicago decided to use their No. 10 overall pick on fellow tight end Colston Loveland. That’ll make the offense much more dynamic, but will also complicate things for Kmet. Still, Johnson ran plenty of 12 personnel during his time with the Detroit Lions.

Kmet should operate as the in-line blocker while catching passes in the short to intermediate game. He’ll also be a difference maker in the red zone, especially with Keenan Allen and his team-leading seven touchdown grabs no longer around. Loveland will be a playmaker all over the field. Specifically, Johnson will look to use his athleticism as a mismatch against linebackers. Overall, once fully healthy, Loveland will be a dangerous playmaker for Williams to work with.

Ultimately though, neither tight end can shine if the offense can’t even get to line of scrimmage under Johnson’s standards. Kmet has now seen in first-hand and is prepared to put in the work to prove why he is a strong fit in his new head coach’s scheme.

The post Chicago Bears’ Cole Kmet gets brutally honest on Ben Johnson expectations appeared first on ChiCitySports.

At Chicago Bears training camp, there is perhaps no position battle more pertinent than at left tackle. Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie are all battling for the opportunity to block quarterback Caleb Williams’ blindside.

Trapilo and Amegadjie split reps throughout the offseason program while Jones rehabbed from his season-ending ankle injury. But now that he is fully healthy, head coach Ben Johnson must now operate a three-man race. Early in training camp, all three should be given an opportunity to prove themselves. When Week 1 gets closer, it’ll become more evident who is the true leader for the left tackle job.

On day one of training camp, that opportunity went to Trapilo, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN. All three players rotated during walk throughs, but Trapilo soaked in all the first-team reps during the team periods of practice.

“Ozzy Trapilo was at left tackle with the 1s during team periods,” Cronin wrote. “All 3 – Trapilo, Jones and Amegadjie – were out there today, and the Bears rotated the 3 tackles through during walk thru periods.”

Bears practice No. 1 just ended. Went from 8:45-10 a.m.
-Rookies Luther Burden III and Zah Frazier were not present. Burden appears to still be dealing with injuries from the spring (landed on a ball awkwardly in minicamp, sustained a soft tissue (hamstring) injury in OTAs)…

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) July 23, 2025

Chicago Bears left tackle battle 

The fact Trapilo earned the first-team reps isn’t necessarily surprising. It seems likely either Jones or Amegadjie will get that same opportunity in their next practice with the third option following. Johnson wants to see what all three bring to the table.

But the fact Trapilo was first in line could be telling of where he stands at least against Amegadjie. Johnson and company got their first view of them during OTAs and minicamp. Perhaps Trapilo’s play stood out more than Amegadjie’s. But now in training camp, with the pads on, the coaching staff will get a much better understanding.

For Trapilo, the biggest challenge in his way is moving from right to left tackle. He was a standout performer on the right side at Boston College, even earning First-team All-ACC honors in 2024. How he is able to adapt on the left side will be telling for how much playing time Trapilo sees as a rookie.

As training camp progresses, Johnson will be playing close attention to Jones, Trapilo and Amegadjie as whoever wins the battle must prove not to be an offensive line weak link. But at least on Wednesday, the spotlight shined bright on Trapilo.

The post Chicago Bears’ left tackle battle takes intriguing twist as training camp opens appeared first on ChiCitySports.

When Chicago Bears training camp opened, it was revealed that cornerback Jaylon Johnson is dealing with a multi-week leg injury. As defensive coordinator Dennis Allen builds out his new defense, he won’t have arguably Chicago’s best defensive player to work with.

Still, general manager Ryan Poles expressed optimism that Johnson’s injury wouldn’t be a long-term issue. The Bears are counting on it, as the cornerback is expected to follow any opposing team’s top receiving threat. Simply put Johnson is a key cog in  the Bears’ defense.

Luckily for the cornerback, Allen is now echoing Poles’ message. While the Bears will need to be patient for Johnson’s return to the field, Allen is expecting that to come sooner rather than later, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

“I feel good about him being ready when his body’s ready to go,” Allen said.

#Bears DC Dennis Allen on Jaylon Johnson: "I feel good about him being ready when his body's ready to go."

— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) July 23, 2025

Chicago Bears relying on Jaylon Johnson 

With Johnson out, the Bears turned to Nahshon Wright in the first unit, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN. Wright signed a one-year deal with Chicago over the offseason and is coming to the Windy City with 33 games of NFL experience. But in Wright or any cornerback, the Bears would be hard pressed to find a talent as strong as Johnson.

Since joining the Bears in 2020, the cornerback has made 214 tackles, 49 pass break ups and seven interceptions. He is coming off of his second-straight Pro Bowl appearance after registering a career-high 53 tackles alongside eight pass break ups and two picks. Johnson’s 76.2 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 20/222 cornerbacks.

Allen runs an aggressive, attacking defense. That should benefit Johnson, will be given opportunities to show how strong he can be. If he continues to operate at a Pro Bowl level while being a menace against the league’s best, no one in the NFL world will be questioning where Johnson stands.

But the first step is getting back on the field. Poles confirmed that there will be more updates as training camp progresses. While Allen didn’t put a timeline on Johnson’s return, his optimism is at least a good sign for the cornerback’s long-term outlook.

The post Chicago Bears DC Dennis Allen’s immediate reaction to Jaylon Johnson injury appeared first on ChiCitySports.

For the first ten years of his NFL career, Grady Jarrett played for the Atlanta Falcons. He routinely faced off against Dennis Allen, who was with the organization since 2015, becoming head coach in 2022. But as fate would have at, both now found themselves on the Chicago Bears entering the 2025 campaign.

Allen’s run as head coach didn’t pan out as the Saints hoped. However, he is still a well respected defensive mind. He will be tasked will not only revitalizing Chicago’s defense, but using his experience to help first-year head coach Ben Johnson get acclimated.

The Bears signed Jarrett to a three-year, $43.5 million contract during the offseason. He’ll not only be a crucial veteran presence, but a key run stopper Chicago desperately needs.

As he prepares for his first training camp with the Bears, Jarrett is ready to push himself harder than he ever has in chase of the best version of himself. He came to the Windy City with already a high level of respect for Allen. But now he has seen firsthand exactly what he brings to the table, via the team’s Tuesday press conference.

“Not surprised by anything. The grittiness, the attention to detail, the knowledge of knowing what everybody should be doing from front to back and how it all works together. Communicating to us as a defense what his expectations are on a daily basis is something I’m really appreciative of,” Jarrett said. “It’s definitely going to make us all better.”

“He’s somebody who’s hungry as ever just to go out there, compete and play football,” he continued. “He has some players that are ready to go out and hunt for him. He challenges us everyday, he is not making it easy on us and babying us as far as the defense, what he wants to call. It gives the expectation for guys all involved to know that he’s not going to call things to make us comfortable, he wants to run the defense a certain way and he’s going to make sure his players go out there able to do it.”

Grady Jarrett joins Chicago Bears

Jarrett isn’t too concerned with being labeled a leader. He knows if he puts his best effort forward everyday, that same mentally will permeate throughout the locker room. Still, Jarrett will be in the center of a culture defining season for the Bears in 2025.

“When you set the standard it’s the standard. As that culture continues to breathe, it’ll be evident of the guys who are all-in on the culture of what we’re building and the one’s who not, it ain’t for everybody. But by the time we get to that first game, any guy with a Chicago Bear on them going to be putting in work, earned their spot, it’s definitely going to be earned.”

After suffering a torn ACL in 2023, Jarrett was able to start all 17 games in 2024. He made 53 tackles, 12 quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks. While his numbers may not explode off the page, the Bears are confident that he will take a step forward with another year removed from his injury. Over his entire 10-year career with the Falcons, Jarrett put up 496 tackles, 126 quarterback hits and 36.5 sacks. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2020.

But now, Jarrett is embracing his second NFL life on the Bears. After facing off against Allen for years, he’ll now play under him. While it’ll take time for the defense to be fully put together, Jarrett thinks the pairing will be a perfect match.

The post Chicago Bears’ Grady Jarrett relishing Dennis Allen opportunity after longstanding rivalry appeared first on ChiCitySports.

As head coach Ben Johnson figures out his initial offensive line with the Chicago Bears, the idea of moving Darnell Wright from right to left tackle has been discussed. However, Johnson is standing firm on not having Wright go through a position switch.

With Braxton Jones poised to return from his season-ending ankle injury, he is joining Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie in the battling to be the starting right tackle. In terms of right tackle though, Johnson remained blunt when it came to Wright, via the team’s Tuesday press conference.

“Our plan is to keep Darnell on the right side right now,” Johnson said.

Now that right tackle is officially accounted for, Johnson is shifting his focus back onto the left side. With it being his first year in Chicago, he is truly wiping the slate clean. All three of Jones, Trapilo and Amegadjie will be given a fair opportunity to win the left tackle job.

“Everything is going to matter. Every play matters, its all going to matter as we go through this thing,” Johnson said. “I can’t tell you I’ve been through a three-man race before. Each play is going to be evaluated, they need to take full advantage of every opportunity that they get.”

Chicago Bears’ three-headed left tackle battle

Jones enters the competition as the incumbent, having started 40 games over his three-year career with the Bears. He has looked strong when on the field, as his 77.4 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 21/140 tackles. However, the keyword there is when, as Jones appeared in just 12 games during the 2024 season and 11 in 2023.

The fact Jones is ready for training camp is a great sign. But Johnson won’t just hand him the starting role upon his return.

“I would like to think his experience will help him, but we’re coming in with blank slates right now,” Johnson said. “Just because one guy has played and another guy hasn’t in this league, we’re going to let the competition play out. We’ll see where it goes.”

Amegadjie dealt with injury issues of his own as a rookie, appearing in just six games. He was largely overmatched in his lone start against the Minnesota Vikings. Johnson’s slate wiping philosophy will work in his favor. But the fact the head coach didn’t draft Amegadjie means the tackle needs to make a strong first impression.

The Bears used a second-round selection on Trapilo in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was a standout right tackle at Boston College, earning First-team All-ACC honors in 2024. However, Trapilo is now being tasked with moving over to the left side. How he is able to handle the position switch against NFL competition will be extremely telling of Trapilo’s playing time as a rookie.

As it stands, four out of the five positions on Chicago’s offensive line are set, starting with Wright at right tackle. Whoever lands the left tackle job must prove to not be a glaring weak link.

The post Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson makes final Darnell Wright position decision appeared first on ChiCitySports.

One of the main reasons Ben Johnson was hired as the Chicago Bears head coach was for what he offers quarterback Caleb Williams. Despite going No. 1 overall, Williams failed to live up to the hype as a rookie.

That’s not to say he was a downright bust, as Williams set a pair of Bears rookie passing records for yardage (3,541) and touchdowns (2). Still, Chicago was expecting more. It didn’t help that Williams’ star was dimmed by No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels’ breakout rookie season.

Still, Johnson was pursued by nearly every team with a coaching vacancy, and he chose the Bears for a reason. He believes Williams is a quarterback worth building around. As the head coach prepares for his first season in Chicago, he is challenging the quarterback to complete at least 70 percent of his passes, via the team’s Tuesday press conference.

“I would love for him on the season to complete 70 percent of his balls. It’s a lofty goal, but it’s one we’re going to strive for. We’re going to use that as our benchmark and work from there.”

As Johnson tries to lead Williams towards that goal, the head coach is focusing on the quarterback’s pre-snap procedure. That runs from play calling to motions and everything a quarterback must do before snapping the ball. The team will also be looking to improve his footwork. Johnson gave Williams some homework before training camp and so far, Chicago’s QB has aced the test.

“We use that as a weapon and that’s not going to change. It’s certainly an advantage for us on offense,” Johnson said of Williams’ pre-snap procedure. “It’s a lot of stuff that goes into that position. Rather than throwing the whole gauntlet at him, we’re just building it from the ground up. He took some homework with him over the course of the summer and, even though we haven’t done anything high speed over the last few days, we’ve noticed some improvements along the way.”

Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson team up 

In his final season as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, Johnson helped Jared Goff finish second in passing yards (4,629) and fourth in touchdowns (37). Outside of being No. 1 overall picks, Goff and Williams are much different quarterbacks and Johnson will coach them separately. However, it’s at least a sign of what the Williams-Johnson ceiling could look like.

The Bears clearly believe in the pairing, spending all offseason bolstering their offense. After allowing a league-high 68 sacks during Williams’ rookie campaign, Chicago traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson before signing center Drew Dalman in free agency. All three, alongside right tackle Darnell Wright and whoever wins the left tackle job should make things easier for Williams in the pocket.

He’ll have plenty of weapons to throw to after the Bears used their first two draft picks on tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden. They joined an already strong core of DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland. At least on paper, Chicago’s passing attack looks much more ferocious entering 2025.

But it’ll all be up to Williams to prove he is a real deal. There are no more excuses, as the Bears have exhausted plenty of resources to help him succeed. With Johnson in his corner, Chicago is counting on their quarterback to deliver on his No. 1 pick potential.

The post Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson reveals ‘lofty’ Caleb Williams 2025 passing goal appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Heading into training camp, two of the biggest injury concerns on the Chicago Bears were left tackle Braxton Jones and tight end Colston Loveland. But before the Bears even suited up for their first open practice, general manager Ryan Poles has put those injury concerns to bed.

Poles confirmed that both Loveland and Jones will be ready to go for training camp. Loveland is making his way back from offseason shoulder surgery while Jones is returning from a season-ending ankle injury. While Poles admitted they may not be at 100 percent capacity from the moment they step on the field, both should be competing at their respective positions sooner rather than later, via the team’s Tuesday press conference.

“Those guys put in a ton of work, alongside our trainers to return and be ready to go for training camp,” Poles said. “We’re excited to get those guys back going again.”

“I’m sure there’s going to be a ramp up period. They haven’t played football in a while,” he continued. “But really, they’re ready to go, knock that rust off and get going.”

Chicago Bears awaiting Colston Loveland debut, Braxton Jones return

Both Loveland and Jones are in positions to make massive impacts on the Bears in 2025. But the first order of business was simply getting back on the field. With their injury problems seeming mostly in the rearview mirror, head coach Ben Johnson can now focus on their respective position battles.

Jones is entering a three-man race with Kiran Amegadjie and rookie Ozzy Trapilo for the starting left tackle job. The latter two tackles split time with the first team throughout the offseason program with Jones injury. Trapilo especially is entering camp with plenty of hype. But in the 12 games he did play in 2024, Jones’ 77.4 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 21/140 tackles. It’ll be arguably the most crucial battle at camp, as the winner will be blocking Caleb Williams’ blindside.

Loveland isn’t entering as strong of a competition, as Johnson is sure to run plenty of 12 personnel sets. But in non two-two tight end formations, only Loveland or Cole Kmet will see the field. Kmet has shown plenty of flashes in Chicago and has received an endorsement from Johnson. But Loveland was the No. 10 overall pick, specifically taken for his pass catching ability. How Johnson divvies up the tight end playing time will be crucial.

The head coach will need to make final decisions once Week 1 draws closer. But for now, the Bears are just excited to have Loveland and Jones back on the field.

The post Chicago Bears reveal injury update on Colston Loveland, Braxton Jones appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Before training camp opened, cornerback Jaylon Johnson was among four players the Chicago Bears placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list. As training camp opened, general manager Ryan Poles confirmed exactly what Johnson received that designation.

While gearing up for camp, Johnson suffered a leg injury. Poles wouldn’t go into more detail about the exact injury, but he did note that Johnson is now facing a multi-week absence, via the team’s Tuesday press conference. When Johnson will make his return is now up in the air.

“When he was training, he had a leg injury. Not going to get into the details of that, but it is going to take a few weeks before he can come back,” Poles said. “We’ve got a lot of faith that he’s going to put in the time to rehab and be his full self when he comes back. It’s going to take a bit of time, but we’re not overly concerned about the long-term.”

Chicago Bears counting on Jaylon Johnson 

Missing Johnson for any amount of time is a major detriment to the Bears. He is a veteran an understands what it takes to succeed at the highest level. However, Dennis Allen is implementing a brand new scheme. The Bears want to ensure Johnson and all defenders know it fluently.

But it’s one thing to miss training camp practices. It’d be much worse should Johnson be forced out of regular season action. Since coming to Chicago in 2020, Johnson has recorded 214 tackles, 49 passes defended and seven interceptions. He was named to his second-straight Pro Bowl in 2024 after putting up a career-high 53 tackles alongside eight passes defended and two picks. Furthermore, Johnson’s 76.2 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 20/222 cornerbacks.

Poles stated that there will be further updates on Johnson and that they don’t believe it’ll be a severe long-term problem. However, Johnson has laid forth some lofty expectations for himself. The Bears are counting on him to lead the secondary. Any missed time could hamper both plans.

For now, Chicago is remaining cautiously optimistic. But Johnson’s injury update was quite the shock to open Johnson’s first training camp with the Bears.

The post Chicago Bears receive regular season injury uncertainty on Jaylon Johnson appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears invested heavily into their defensive line throughout the offseason, both signing Grady Jarrett to a $43.5 million contract and spending a second-round pick with Shemar Turner. That’ll make the roster crunch at the position much more difficult.

Especially with Gervon Dexter and Andrew Billings both present as well. Dexter is coming off of a breakout season while Billings is making his return from injury. With all four of those players safe, it’ll be difficult for end of roster defensive tackles to make the roster.

That includes former third-round pick Zacch Pickens. Leading into training camp, Pickens was left off Courtney Cronin of ESPN’s 53-man roster prediction.

“Adding to the trenches was the theme of Chicago’s offseason with the additions of defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo and defensive tackles Grady Jarrett and Shemar Turner,” Cronin wrote. “While the Bears’ pass rush showed improvement in sacks (from 30 in 2023 to 40 in ’24), sack percentage (from a league-worst 4.6% to 7.1%) and quarterback hits (from 92 to 100), how equipped Chicago is to get after opposing QBs will be determined in July and August and may lead the team to look at several intriguing free agent options, like Za’Darius Smith and Matthew Judon.”

Zacch Pickens run with Chicago Bears 

Pickens was originally selected with the No. 64 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Since then, he has made 26 appearances for the team, including three starts. Overall, Pickens has racked up 39 tackles, four quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks.

While his three starts all came in 2024, groin injuries limited him to just nine games total. The defensive tackle made 19 tackles, two quarterback hits and a sack. His 45.5 grade from Pro Football Focus is extremely telling, as he ranked 174/219 defensive tackles.

While Ryan Poles was general manager when Pickens was selected, new head coach Ben Johnson played no role in him being drafted. Johnson will wipe the slate clean at training camp and give everyone a chance to survive. But at the same time, he has no ties to Pickens should he struggle.

It would take quite the training camp for Pickens to make the roster, especially with all the names in front of him. Overall, he looks like a flat out bust from Poles in the third-round.

Defensive line depth 

Now entering his 11th season in the NFL, Jarrett will lead Chicago’s defensive line. Making his way back from ACL surgery, Jarrett managed to start all 17 2024. Another year removed from that injury, the Bears expect him to take a step forward and clog up any holes on the interior of the line.

Playing next to him will be Dexter, who finished second on the team with five sacks in 2024. His offers a level of athleticism that opposing lineman struggle to deal with. Now being mentored by a seasoned veteran in Jarrett, the pressure is on for Dexter to replicate and eventually surpass his 2024 production.

Billings was limited to just eight games due to a torn pectoral during his most recent campaign. When he went down, Chicago’s run defense took a massive hit. While now likely in a backup role, Billings’ return gives the Bears supreme depth. It’d be difficult for most runners to get through Jarrett and Billings in the middle.

Turner played all over the defensive line at Texas A&M. But at least to start his Bears tenure, Chicago is having him play defensive tackle. They clearly think highly of him, using a second-round pick. Turner’s versatility will be crucial as defensive coordinator Dennis Allen builds his unit.

All of this depth is great for Chicago and bad news for Pickens. Ultimately, the Bears are trying to put their best 11 players on the field and be a much scarier matchup for any opposing team.

The post Ryan Poles’ third-round bust projected to be cut from Chicago Bears roster appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Having not been to the playoffs since 2020 and not having won a postseason game since 2010, the Chicago Bears haven’t been consider a dynasty in recent history. Even for any past success, the Bears only have one Super Bowl title to their name. But as safety Jaquan Brisker prepares to make his injury return, he knows winds of change are blowing into the Windy City.

With the Bears hiring Ben Johnson, Chicago has re-defined their organization. Paired with former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, the franchise has put their trust into the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator. The NFL world at large believes it’s a match made in heaven, which the Bears once again being considered offseason champions.

Brisker knows that Chicago won’t simply be handed success, even with Johnson. But the way the head coach talks about the organization has the safety deeply excited for the Bears’ future, via Cassie Carlson of Fox 32.

“It’s going to be hard, that we’re going to work, but this is a new Bears era, which I love,” Brisker said. “He told us in the meeting room, ‘I want to build dynasties.’ That’s the first coach in years that had said that and the energy he said it. I was right on board. I feel great, that dynasty word gave me chills.”

More than just talk, Brisker has already seen changes actively taking place. When he walked into the weight room during OTAs, it was an entirely different vibe. The Bears are all on the same page and prepared to prove they’re ready to compete.

“I walked into the weight room during OTAs, the linemen were getting after it,” Brisker said. “You can hear the weights just smashing. Everybody getting to work. That hasn’t happened since I’ve been with the Bears. When you walk in that’s what you want to hear. You want to hear the linemen get to it. You hear the coaches get activated, things like that.”

“That was different, and the offseason energy is hard work,” he concluded. “We’re just going to keep working, we’re not going to talk. Put the work in and let it speak for itself.”

"That dynasty word gave me chills."

Caught up with #Bears S Jaquan Brisker (@JaquanBrisker) at his youth FB camp. More on the tone Ben Johnson set heading into training camp, why he believes this year will be different & goals for the season. @fox32news pic.twitter.com/8v3FfpeWSj

— Cassie Carlson (@CassieCarlsonTV) July 21, 2025

Ben Johnson, dynasty builder 

It is going to take quite the effort to take the Bears from worst-to-first in the first year of Johnson’s tenure. Alongside any issues inside their own franchise, Chicago must compete in the daunted NFC North. Still, Johnson is at least looking to build the footprint of a dynasty.

He helped the Detroit Lions become one of the most explosive teams in the league during his time as offensive coordinator. During the 2024 season, the Lions finished second in total offense, averaging 409.5 yards per game. Johnson won’t just match what he did in Detroit one-for-one. But with the Bears finishing second-to-last in total offense, averaging 181.5 YPG, it’s easy to see how Johnson’s arrival will create immediate offensive improvement.

It’ll all come down to Williams though. The team has gone out and massively upgraded his offensive line while giving him even more tantalizing pass catchers to go through. There are no more excuses as the quarterback is in a strong position to succeed. If he reaches his No. 1 pick potential, Chicago’s offense would get scary in a heartbeat.

For now, Johnson and the Bears are focused on training camp and preparing for Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. But if his plan all comes together, Johnson would be a Chicago legend forever.

Chicago Bears getting Jaquan Brisker back 

While Johnson has everyone focusing on the offense, Chicago must see major defensive improvement as well. They finished the 2024 campaign ranked 27th in total defense, allowing 354.3 YPG. But after playing in just five games due to a concussion, the Bears will finally see Brisker make his return to the field.

Despite his limited action, the safety still mustered up 40 tackles, two pass breakups and an interception. His 70.3 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 20/171 safeties. Still, entering his contract year, this will be a make-or-break season for Brisker.

He has shined when on the field. Over his 35 games total, Brisker has made 249 tackles, 13 pass break ups, six sacks and three picks. Only 26-years-old, the Bears are hoping he can be a staple in their secondary for a foreseeable future. But an extension will only come if he stays healthy and productive on the field.

If that were to happen though, then the Bears would have a stout safety combination in Brisker and Kevin Byard. With Johnson looking for playmakers all over the field, Brisker is looking to prove he can be one consistently.

The post Jaquan Brisker reveals Chicago Bears’ ‘dynasty’ goals before training camp appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears are entering training camp with lofty expectations on their shoulders. Still, until they prove that their revival is legit, the Bears are viewed to be in the NFC North’s cellar.

Chicago is coming off of a 5-12 season and haven’t been to the playoffs since 2020. Even worse, they haven’t won a postseason game since 2020. The hiring of head coach Ben Johnson and the Bears’ offseason has brought plenty of buzz over the Windy City. But wins will be the only thing that determines the franchise’s true success.

Training camp will give Johnson and company their best opportunity to evaluate the roster at large. They’ve just received some extra bulletin board material to use, as the Bears were ranked No. 21 on Josh Kendall of The Athletic’s pre-training camp power rankings. In Kendall’s previous ranking, Chicago was at No. 19.

“Chicago hired head coach Ben Johnson, added three starting offensive linemen and drafted tight end Colston Loveland in the first round this offseason, all to help revive quarterback Caleb Williams,” Kendall wrote. “They have a big job. Williams took 68 sacks last season, the second most of any quarterback since at least 2000. His EPA per dropback ranked 733rd out of all qualifying quarterbacks since 2000.”

How Chicago Bears can climb up rankings 

The Bears have built their entire roster around quarterback Caleb Williams. If he lives up to his No. 1 pick potential, then Chicago will thrive. But if he continues to struggle, especially under an offensive mastermind like Johnson, then the Bears will be answering the same questions come 2026.

Williams will have an entirely new blocking scheme in front of him though in 2025. The Bears acquired guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson in trades before signing center Drew Dalman in free agency. Furthermore, their first two draft picks of Colston Loveland and Luther Burden only make a core of DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet much scarier.

The Bears won’t forget about their defense. Chicago ranked 27th overall, allowing 354.3 yards per game in 2024. They signed veteran Grady Jarrett to help out their run game and up and comer Dayo Odeyingbo to bolster their pass rush. Chicago’s secondary is one of their biggest strengths and now Dennis Allen will be calling the shots as defensive coordinator.

But while the pieces are in place for success, Williams and company must follow through. They don’t hang banners for offseason champions. The Bears must prove that this time, success is actually on the horizon.

NFC North review 

With a ranking at No. 21, it’s not surprising that the Bears are last in the NFC North. The Green Bay Packers lead the way at No. 5 while the Detroit Lions come in at No. 7 and the Minnesota Vikings round out the trio at No. 10. Perhaps part of the reason Chicago’s ranking is so low is because they have to run the NFC North gauntlet themselves.

The Athletics Pre-training camp NFL Power Rankings:

5. Packers
7. Lions
10. Vikings
21. Bears

Is 5 too high for the Packers? Is 21 too Low for the Bears? Gimme your thoughts Chicago! #DaBears #Bears #ChicagoBears

— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) July 22, 2025

The Packers have pushed all their chips in on the Jordan Love hype train. If he continues to develop under Matt LaFleur, Green Bay will have a scary offense for the foreseeable future. The Packers finally added a first-round receiver to help their quarterback in Matthew Golden. Furthermore, this is a Packers team coming off of a 2024 campaign in which they ranked sixth in total defense, allowing 315.6 YPG.

JJ McCarthy will be making his Vikings debut against the Bears in Week 1 on Monday Night Football. Like Williams is to Chicago, McCarthy is to Minnesota. How well he adjusts after missing his entire rookie season will determine the outcome of their entire season. Still, the Vikings bulked up on the defense side as well, adding players such as Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.

The Lions lost both of their coordinators and saw their center retire. However, Dan Campbell has Detroit playing on another level during his tenure. The franchise ranked second in total offense in 2024, averaging 409.5 YPG. Of course, Johnson was the one calling the shots, but all their playmakers remain largely the same. The Lions will still be a dangerous franchise despite their coaching losses.

For now, the Bears are focused solely on training camp and getting ready for the season. But when Week 1 rolls around, Chicago must be prepared for the NFC North challenge.

The post Chicago Bears stumble down power rankings before training camp appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Earlier in the offseason, quarterback Caleb Williams found himself embroiled in controversy based on his pre-draft request to the Chicago Bears. He wanted them to trade their No. 1 overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings and even considered playing in the UFL to avoid the Windy City altogether.

The Bears denied his request and Williams ultimately decided he wanted to play in Chicago. He has directly addressed the situation and put it behind him, instead focusing on a brighter future under new head coach Ben Johnson.

Still, Williams’ Vikings drama has just taken a wild turn. Prior to selecting Williams at No.1, Bears general manager expressed to quarterbacks coach Greg Holcomb that he was seriously interested in JJ McCarthy with the top pick, via Alec Lewis of The Athletic.

“He was talking about how much they (the Bears) loved J.J.,” Holcomb said. “And said to me, ‘I don’t think people realize how close we were to possibly taking him.’ Obviously, they love (No. 1 pick) Caleb (Williams), but I thought that was interesting.”

JJ McCarthy vs. Caleb Williams 

McCarthy eventually went No. 10 to the Minnesota Vikings, who traded up one pick for the opportunity to select him. Unfortunately for the Vikings, McCarthy’s entire rookie season was erased due to a torn meniscus.

His work at Michigan certainly caught the eye of many around the league, including Poles. Over his three years with the Wolverines, he threw for 6,226 yards, 49 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He won a national championship in 2023, being named the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year.

A year prior, Williams won the Heisman Trophy. His first season in the NFL wasn’t as glowing, especially with No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels’ dominance. Still, Williams set a pair Bears rookie records for passing yards (3,541) and touchdowns (20).

Both quarterbacks will finally have an opportunity to face off in Week 1 on Monday Night Football. McCarthy will be looking to prove he is fully healthy and ready to compete while Williams will get his first opportunity to shine under Johnson.

Chicago Bears believe in Williams 

Like most of Williams’ Vikings drama, all of it is in the past. Poles may have been interested in McCarthy, but ultimately, he chose Williams. Heading into his sophomore season, the general manager more than proved he believes in his quarterback.

By hiring Johnson, Williams is now paired with an offensive-minded head coach. That might be an understatement based on his work with the Detroit Lions. But overall, Johnson is expected to help Williams realize his No. 1 pick potential.

Also aiding the cause is three new offensive lineman. After allowing a league-high 68 sacks in 2024, the Bears traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson before signing center Drew Dalman in free agency. With Williams staying upright in the pocket, he’ll have time to find his litany of weapons. Opposing defenses will have a difficult time stopping a crew of DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland.

It’ll be up to Williams to prove the team’s belief in him correct. But he went No. 1 overall for a reason. If the quarterback lives up to the offseason hype on his shoulders, the Bears will look much different in 2025 for all the right reasons.

The post Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams Vikings drama sees another twist with JJ McCarthy bombshell appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears have spent all offseason building their offense around Caleb Williams. But it appears Ben Johnson company are still looking to add to their quarterback’s arsenal.

The Bears have recently met with free agent wide receiver DJ Chark, via Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. There’s no word on how far talks have progressed, but Chark is continuing to weigh his NFL options, via Kyle Odegard of Sports Casting.

“It depends,” Chark said. “It will have to be something that makes sense, from a family perspective and also from an Xs and Os perspective. Getting up and going to any team just for the excitement – I’ll always love the game, but at this point, putting myself and my family in a great position is what’s ideal for me.”

Former #Chargers WR DJ Chark, one of the top veteran free agents available, recently visited the #Bears, sources say.

More from Chark here https://t.co/89aNYS2yQi

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 21, 2025

The Bears already had DJ Moore and Rome Odunze on the roster before using a second-round pick on Luther Burden. They also signed veteran wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus to a one-year contract earlier in the offseason. So on the surface, Chark would be severely battling for snaps, let alone a spot on the roster.

Still, Johnson clearly sees something in the veteran. If he doesn’t like what he is seeing out of his receivers when training camp opens, perhaps Chicago could turn to Chark in hopes of an offensive spark.

What DJ Chark offers Chicago Bears 

If Chark were to sign with the Bears or any franchise, it would mark his eighth season in the NFL. Over 76 games total, he has made 216 receptions for 3,100 yards and 24 touchdowns. Chark was named to the Pro Bowl in 2019, but his most recent season with the Los Angeles Chargers saw him catch just four passes for 31 yards and a touchdown.

Still, Chark has some familiarity with Johnson during their time on the Detroit Lions. The receiver caught 30 passes for 502 yards and three touchdowns in 2022, Johnson’s first year as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. While Chark left for the Carolina Panthers a year later, he impressed by catching 35 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns.

In Chicago, the veteran would have a difficult time finding a place on the roster. Moore, Odunze, Burden and seemingly Zaccheaus is locked in. Fourth-round rookie Tyler Scott would immediately be on the hot seat should Chark sign. The chances of veteran Miles Boykin or undrafted free agents Jahdae Walker and JP Richardson making the team would become much more slim.

The Bears would first need to see what Chark can still offer at this stage of his career. But if Johnson feels Chicago needs a bit of extra firepower, the wide receiver is on a shortlist of playmakers the franchise could call.

The post Chicago Bears looking to add more help for Caleb Williams: Report appeared first on ChiCitySports.

With Chicago Bears training camp about to start, things are about to get real for head coach Ben Johnson and company. The Bears have been drawing plenty of hype throughout the offseason, but now it’s time to prove the team is actually improved.

As Johnson builds his Chicago foundation, training camp is his best opportunity to see the team at large. Numerous position battles will be taking place as the depth chart filled out. Every player on the roster, including the veterans, are looking to make a strong first impression on Johnson.

Consistent play throughout training camp will be crucial for any of these players to come out victorious in their respective battles. As Johnson’s evaluates the play, he is likely to see these players earn massive roles entering the 2025 campaign.

Honorable Mentions: Backup quarterback, running back 

All eyes will be on Caleb Williams when it comes to Bears quarterbacks. But both Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum will be battling for the right to be QB2. It’ll be an intriguing battle between young player and veteran that should be telling of Johnson’s philosophy.

As it stands, D’Andre Swift is set to remain lead rusher, making running back less of a true position battle. However, both Roschon Johnson and/or Kyle Monangai could earn larger opportunities with strong training camp performances.

Chicago Bears tight end battle 

This battle is more like the running back situation than a true competition. Johnson was known to run plenty of 12 personnel meaning Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet will share the field quite often. However, in non-two tight end sets, only one tight end will see the field.

With Loveland being the No. 10 overall pick, Johnson has major plans in his offense for him. The Bears were enamored with his pass catching ability. The head coach will look for ways to use his athleticism in mismatches against linebackers.

But Loveland has been unable to practice as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. He is expected to make his return at some point in training camp. But he will have a lot of catching up to do, especially with Johnson running a dynamic scheme.

In turn, for all the hype Loveland has received, Kmet is no slouch. He has caught 258 passes for 2,592 yards and 19 touchdowns over his five years with the team. He should be a force in the short-to-intermediate game, as well as in the red zone. Johnson has already committed to him having a large role in the offense.

By the end of the season, the Bears are hoping to have Loveland fully acclimated into their offense. But at least heading into the season, Kmet should remain the frontrunner.

Predicted winner: Kmet 

Search for third linebacker

Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards are the unquestioned leaders atop the linebacker depth chart. Edwards eve earned a $20 million extension. However, after them comes a list of unheralded names. At linebacker, Ruben Hyppolite III and Noah Sewell have the best chances of earning the third linebacker spot.

Sewell is entering his third season with the Bears and is entering make-or-break territory. The former fifth-rounder has mustered up just 13 tackles and two forced fumbles. Since he wasn’t drafted during Johnson’s regime, he’ll need to fully prove himself throughout training camp.

Hyppolite is a clear favorite of Johnson and his staff, as they selected him in the fourth-round. He has wheels you don’t often see from a linebacker, running a reported 4.39 40-yard dash at Maryland’s Pro Day. However, he wasn’t invited to the combine or was on many analyst’s big boards entering the draft. Overall, Hyppolite was a relative unknown when he was selected.

Still, at least when it comes to beating out Sewell, that should give him the upper edge. But Hyppolite will need to take a step forward to retain the LB3 role throughout the entire season.

Predicted winner: Hyppolite 

Who plays left tackle? 

Of all the Bears’ training camp battles, this one is the most crucial. All four other offensive line spots are already locked in. Chicago doesn’t want to enter the season with a glaring hole on Williams’ blindside.

Braxton Jones is entering the battle as the incumbent, having started 40 games for the team. However, injuries have held him back considerably, as he appeared in 12 games in 2024 after playing in just 11 in 2023. Jones has been impactful when on the field, as his 77.4 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 21/140 tackles. However, that when is carrying a ton of weight, as Jones must prove he can stay on the field.

Rookie Ozzy Trapilo battled with sophomore Kiran Amegadjie throughout the offseason program with Jones sidelined. Trapilo was highlighted much more than Amegadjie, who struggled in his lone start as a rookie. Furthermore, Johnson’s coaching staff hand selected Trapilo. Still, both youngsters will be given a fair opportunity to prove themselves at camp.

The biggest red flag for Trapilo is the fact he is moving from the right side over to the left. Johnson may opt to give him more seasoning before throwing him into the fire. If Jones is healthy and can still operate at a high level, he seems likely to enter the year as a starter. Continued injuries though would obviously ended that and likely give Trapilo an opportunity.

Predicted winner: Jones

The post Predicting winners of 3 biggest Chicago Bears training camp battles appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Since being hired as Chicago Bears general manager in 2022, the team has gone just 15-36 overall, failing to finish higher than third in the NFC North under Ryan Poles. And yet, the Bears decided to award Poles a brand new five-year contract extension.

When the decision was announced, much of the Chicago fanbase was up in arms. The Bears are coming off of a 5-12 season and haven’t made the playoffs since 2020, let alone won a postseason game since 2010. After the Matt Eberflus disaster, trust in Poles started to wane.

But as they prepare for the Ben Johnson tenure, extending Poles was the correct decision. The Bears need to be aligned as an organization. Now, all their coaching staff and front office ducks are in a row.

Chicago Bears needed long-term structure 

When the Bears drafted Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, it began a new era for their organization. However, it was being spearheaded by a remaining coach in Eberflus. It never made sense for Chicago to bring in a new quarterback and couple him with a defensive-minded head coach who had struggled to find continued success.

That dilemma came to a head in the midst of Chicago’s 10-game losing streak. Eberflus became the first head coach in Bears history to be fired midseason. It allowed for the franchise to reset around Williams, the decision just came a little later than expected.

In extending Poles, his contract now matches up exactly with Johnson’s. Now, both head coach and general manager and tied through the 2029. While Johnson would likely get a longer leash should things truly go bad, both with now rise and fall together.

Having that coaching/front office structure in place gives Williams solid ground to stand on. He knows exactly who is calling the shots and what kind of gameplan the Bears are trying to implement weekly. Ultimately, the team will need to prove that things are different in 2025. But ensuring Poles isn’t in lame duck status means the same Eberflus issue isn’t likely to happen in Williams’ second season.

Ryan Poles’ hits 

Before we get to the positives, it’s important to note that not all of Poles’ moves have been winners. Following Eberflus, the general manager will get forever clowned for his third-round pick of Velus Jones. Fourth-rounder Tyler Scott has been another bust, as was the free agency signing of Nate Davis. But on the other side of the coin, Poles has done a lot of good for the Bears during his tenure.

Most notably, the general manager made one of the greatest trades in team history with the Carolina Panthers. Trading the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, Poles landed a haul that included DJ Moore and what ended up being the pick that landed Williams. Ultimately, whatever happens in the rest of his tenure, Poles will always be credited for this move.

Elsewhere, the Bears have landed players such as Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, Braxton Jones and Gervon Dexter all later than the first-round. Darnell Wright has been a hit at right tackle while Williams and fellow first-rounder Rome Odunze’s outcomes will determine Poles’ overall drafting acumen. The 2025 class features plenty of players such as Colston Loveland and Luther Burden who can make major impacts.

Poles has also swung numerous high impact trades for players such as Montez Sweat, Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. Free agency has led to players like Drew Dalman, Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards. While every player listed needs to step up in 2025, at least on paper, the roster is in a strong position entering Johnson’s debut.

That’s a large reason Poles earned an extension in the first place. But if the Bears improve as has been projected all offseason, Poles’ contract extension won’t be drawing flack for much longer.

The post Why Chicago Bears made correct decision in 5-year Ryan Poles extension appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears entered the offseason knowing that massive changes needed to be made. General manager Ryan Poles wasn’t necessarily on the hot seat just yet, but his Matt Eberflus plan failed drastically. He knew whoever he hired to lead the Bears next must change the perception of the organization completely.

So far, Ben Johnson has done just that. While the team must put together wins to live up to the hype, there’s no doubting that Johnson’s arrival has created a mighty buzz over the Windy City. But Johnson’s construction of Chicago’s new-look roster didn’t come alone. Poles, as general manager, oversaw every transaction made.

Of all the offseason moves, outside of hiring Johnson, the Bears have been most lauded for their work on the offensive line. Now, the unit is considered the strongest on all of Chicago’s roster, via Mike Clay of ESPN.

“Offensive line. I could’ve gone a few directions here (WR? TE? DB?), but Chicago’s O-line has a shot to be one of the league’s best,” Clay wrote. “That might seem silly considering the Bears allowed a league-high 68 sacks last season, but they ranked 15th in pass block win rate (60.4%) and eighth in run block win rate (72.5%) and are now substantially better on paper. All three interior positions were upgraded (left guard Joe Thuney, center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson) next to standout tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright.”

Offensive line struggles 

In 2024, Chicago’s offensive line was hampered by injuries and poor play. Now guards Nate Davis and Teven Jenkins, alongside Shelton Coleman have all departed the organization. It’s not hard to see why Chicago decided not to run it back after allowing a league-high 68 sacks.

To be fair, quarterback Caleb Williams wasn’t faultless is the sack issues. Oftentimes, he would hold onto the ball too long, giving the defense more than enough time to get into the backfield. Still, Johnson is undoubtedly working on that heading into year two. A more stout blocking unit in front of him, alongside a more dynamic pass game, should allow Williams to make quicker decisions.

Alongside Williams, running back D’Andre Swift struggled to just a 3.9 yard per carry average in his Bears debut. Chicago as a whole ranked 25th overall in rushing, averaging 102 yards per game. Swift or whoever is carrying the ball must be more efficient. But it should come easier with more holes being theoretically forged open on the line.

Ultimately, the new offensive line must learn to play together. But things look a lot brighter than they did in Williams’ debut.

Chicago Bears additions 

The first domino to fall was acquiring right guard Jonah Jackson in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. Johnson was undoubtedly banging the table for his addition, as Jackson was named to his lone Pro Bowl during their time together on the Detroit Lions.

The guard did struggle during his one year with the Los Angeles Rams. However, injuries held him out for most of the season, and when he did play, Jackson was out of position. Now healthy and back at right guard, Johnson is confident Jackson will thrive in Chicago.

His left guard counterpart of Joe Thuney, who the team acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, almost needs no introduction. Arguably the best player on the Bears overall, Thuney is coming to the Windy City having already won four Super Bowls. Despite entering his age-32 season, he isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Thuney has been named to three straight Pro Bowls and has been named an All-Pro in back-to-back seasons.

In the middle will be new center Drew Dalman, who signed a three-year, $42 million contract in free agent. He only played in nine games in 2024 due to an ankle injury. However, he still dazzled by ranking fourth/64 guards with a 78.8 grade from Pro Football Focus. Still only 26-years-old, the Bears expect Dalman to grow stronger and develop into the centerpiece of their offensive line for the foreseeable future.

Poles and company wanted to build their team around Williams. But they knew they couldn’t do that without a strong offensive line. Rather than trying to bandage the issue, the general manager put forth an aggressive remedy to keep his quarterback upright in the pocket.

Now, the rest of the NFL world is starting to catch on.

The post Chicago Bears preseason ranking proves Ryan Poles’ plan worked appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Before the veterans officially reported to Chicago Bears training camp, the franchise put four players on the Active/Non-Football injury list. But just before Tuesday’s training camp debut, one player has already come off of the list.

Jaylon Johnson, Case Keenum, Jahdae Walker and Ian Wheeler were the four names on the list, via Adam Schefter of ESPN. It’s a bit shocking seeing Johnson, but it’s fair to imagine the team will address the issue imminently. Wide receiver Walker and running back Wheeler are both battling for roster spots, meaning any lost time could be devastating. As for Keenum, Chicago doesn’t need to answer any more questions.

The quarterback has officially passed his physical and been activated off of the Active/NFI list, the team announced.

QB Case Keenum has been activated off of Active/NFI.

— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) July 20, 2025

What Case Keenum offers Chicago Bears 

With Keenum now officially back, he will be battling Tyson Bagent for the right to backup Caleb Williams. While the Bears are hoping they won’t need their QB2 outside of kneel down situations, it’ll still be a compelling training camp battle.

Bagent may have been with the Bears longer, but Keenum is coming to the Windy City with a wealth of NFL experience. He has appeared in 80 games over his 11-year career, making 66 starts. Keenum has thrown for 15,175 yards, 79 touchdowns and 51 interceptions. He has even started a pair of playoff games.

As Ben Johnson builds the new foundation of the Bears, that kind of experience will be crucial. Johnson, for all the hype, will still be a first-year head coach. Williams is only a sophomore and is coming off a rocky rookie season. Having a voice like Keenum’s in the quarterback room will help right the ship whenever the waters get choppy.

Johnson used a similar strategy during his time with the Detroit Lions. Jared Goff was the clear starter while Hendon Hooker served as backup. However, the Lions signed veteran Teddy Bridgewater for their playoff run. He only attempted one pass total, but his veteran presence was a crucial element in Detroit’s quarterback room.

It’s yet to be seen exactly how Johnson will use Keenum. Ultimately, Williams is the quarterback who needs the most attention right now. But at least officially able to practice again, the veteran can begin growing his roots in Chicago.

The post Chicago Bears make quick roster move before training camp opens appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Offense was nowhere to be found on the Chicago Bears in 2024. It’s one of the main reasons the Bears decided to hire Ben Johnson as their next head coach.

He proved to be one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL during his run as the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator. Now, Johnson is expected to bring those same kinds of fireworks to the Windy City. The Bears spent all offseason rebuilding their offense around quarterback Caleb Williams.

But Chicago will need to fully prove themselves on the field before any believes they’re fully back. Entering training camp, the Bears’ offensive trio of Williams, running back D’Andre Swift and wide receiver DJ Moore ranked No. 22 overall on CBS Sports’ preseason rankings, via Jared Dublin.

“It’s notable that this represents a drop from where the Bears were a year ago, which is clearly due to the change in perception around Williams, who struggled pretty badly at times during his rookie season thanks in part due to the circumstances around him but also in part due to his own issues with holding onto the ball too long,” Dublin wrote. “This is a big year for him and the rest of the Bears under new coach Ben Johnson, who should put them in better position to succeed.”

Chicago Bears’ pass game 

During the 2024 season, the Bears ranked second-to-last in passing, averaging 181.5 yards per game. With Johnson leading the Lions to a second place finish, averaging 263.2 YPG, one of his first priorities will be making Chicago’s passing attack much more dangerous.

But for Johnson or the Bears at large to take a step forward, Williams must be at the top of his game. His debut season saw him set a pair of Chicago rookie records for passing yards (3,541) and touchdowns (20). However, he failed to live up to his No. 1 pick status. Johnson was able to revitalize Jared Goff, a former No. 1 overall pick, with the Lions. It’ll be a much different situation, but Johnson must work the same magic with Williams.

Helping the quarterback will be the receiving room Chicago has accumulated. Rome Odunze and Luther Burden have drawn plenty of hype throughout the offseason. But DJ Moore will remain the unquestioned leader on the wide receiver depth chart. His two years with the Bears has resulted in 194 receptions for 2,330 yards and 14 touchdowns. Moore is poised to lead the team in targets once again after seeing 140 passes thrown his way in 2024.

It’ll be much harder to get the Bears’ offense back on track than just a smooth connection between QB and WR1. However, Williams and Moore becoming an even more dynamic duo would strike fear across defenses across the league.

Weak link 

In term’s of Chicago’s offensive trio, D’Andre Swift is the clear weak link. He has experience playing under Johnson from their time with the Lions and it’s clear the head coach has confidence in him. However, Swift must have a bounce back campaign in 2025 to retain his starting role.

His first season with the Bears saw him earn a career-high 253 carries, turning them into 959 yards and six touchdowns. The big problem is that Swift averaged a meager 3.8 yards per carry. He must be more efficient with his touches when given an opportunity in 2025.

Working is his favor though are the additions, and non-additions Chicago made to the roster. The Bears traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson before signing center Drew Dalman in free agency. All three should open more holes for Swift to run through. Furthermore, the Bears’ only real addition at running back throughout the offseason has been seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai. Swift seems to have a firm grip on the RB1 job entering camp.

Of course, that could always change. Monangai or Roschon Johnson could impress the coaching staff and poach the job. Maybe the Bears go out and sign a free agent. Overall, Swift won’t just be handed the role and must prove he can be a strong fit in Johnson’s new-look offense.

The post Chicago Bears offense still has plenty to prove entering training camp appeared first on ChiCitySports.

As soon as Ben Johnson took over as head coach, the buzz surrounding the Chicago Bears got much louder. Then came the expectations, which have gotten quite lofty. But for as strong as Johnson can build the Bears in year one, Chicago will still need to go through the NFC North gauntlet.

The Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings all made the playoffs in 2025, and they aren’t trying to give up their spot anytime soon. Furthermore, for as much hype as the Bears have received, they’re still coming off of a 5-12 season. It’ll take quite the effort for Chicago to take over the NFC North in 2025.

However, based on how the offseason is looked, the Bears aren’t being counted out. They come in at No. 3 in Kevin Patra of NFL.com’s worst-to-first rankings, being beaten out by the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots.

“Call it the “Offseason of Caleb Williams.” The Bears did everything they could to buffer their former No. 1 overall pick after a roller-coaster rookie season,” Patra wrote.

“The darlings of the offseason wouldn’t surprise anyone by climbing out of the NFC North cellar,” he continued. “The only thing keeping them from being higher on this list is the difficulty of the division.”

Chicago Bears bracing for NFC North challenge 

The Lions, Packers and Vikings have all gone through their own levels of change heading into 2025. But that won’t make them any less difficult of a challenge. Working in the Bears’ favor at least is Johnson’s considerable understanding of the NFC North.

Before anything else, if the Bears are going to be successful, then quarterback Caleb Williams needs to take a step forward. Chicago took him No. 1 overall for a reason. After building around him all offseason, the Bears are confident their investment pays off. If the quarterback continues to struggle though, Chicago will be stuck at square one.

While Johnson’s arrival puts an emphasis on the offense, the Bears must step up defensively as well. They allowed the Vikings to score 30+ points in both of their 2024 matchups. The Lions scored 23 in their first battle before dropping 34 on the Bears. Chicago managed to stay afloat with Green Bay, but another year of Jordan Love developing under Matt LaFleur could lead to larger production.

Johnson and the Bears must first focus on fixing their own franchise. But when the regular season begins, the NFC North will be waiting.

49ers, Patriots glow up 

Ultimately, the Bears are more concerned about competing in their own conference rather than their placing on a worst-to-first list. Still, it’s important to note why Chicago didn’t earn the top spot.

The 49ers saw their roster depleted during the offseason with players such as Deebo Samuel and Dre Greenlaw leaving. Now Jauan Jennings is requesting a trade. However, this is still a team with Brock Purdy at quarterback and Kyle Shanahan at the helm. Purdy will have weapons like Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle to utilize. Furthermore, a fully healthy Nick Bosa is any offense’s nightmare. Things will look different in San Francisco, but the 49ers are still expected to compete.

The Patriots made a quick change at head coach, bringing in franchise legend Mike Vrabel. New England believes they have found their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye. They spent big in free agency adding names like Milton Williams and Carlton Davis before landing left tackle Will Campbell in the draft. While the Buffalo Bills look like Super Bowl contenders, the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are on rocky footing.

All three teams will be under the spotlight throughout the 2025 campaign. But the Bears are trying to ensure that they’ll shine the brightest.

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When you’re a tight end selected within the first 10 picks of the NFL Draft, you’re expected to make an immediate impact. That’s at least one of the reasons the Chicago Bears drafted Colston Loveland, for his versatile skill set.

But Bears fans have been unable to see Loveland in action as he works his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. He’ll need to learn quick in training camp with head coach Ben Johnson running a dynamic scheme. And if those roadblocks weren’t enough, Loveland will be battling for targets with veteran tight end Cole Kmet.

Still, the Bears made their Loveland draft decision with Kmet in mind. Furthermore, the rookie has already begun to craft a relationship with his new teammate. While Johnson will need to figure out how to make it work weekly, Loveland is confident he and Kmet will be a winning combination, via Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald.

Chicago Bears tight end duo 

Johnson was known to run plenty of 12 personnel with the Detroit Lions. It seems likely that Loveland and Kmet will be sharing the field quite often. However, each offer much different skill sets that will allow the head coach to get creative on offense.

Kmet is a better in-line blocker and will be used in the short to intermediate game. That’s not to say he won’t be a playmaker, as he made 258 catches for 2,592 yards and 19 touchdowns over his Bears career. Furthermore, with Keenan Allen and his team-leading seven touchdowns leaving the franchise, it wouldn’t be a shock to see those opportunities go to Kmet. But overall, he’ll operate as a key safety blanket for quarterback Caleb Williams, helping move the chains and make noise in the red zone.

Loveland’s goal will be using his athleticism to create mismatches against linebackers. Based on his draft selection, Johnson has already been scheming up ways to get the tight end open in space. Over his three years at Michigan, Loveland caught 117 passes for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns. He won a national championship in 2023 before being named Second-team All-American in 2024 by setting new career-highs in receptions (56) and touchdowns (11).

The tight end was selected specifically for his pass catching ability, meaning Loveland will be used as an explosive weapon. But opposing teams can’t forget about Kmet, whose trusty hands will keep defenses honest and make the offense overall a bit more complex.

Colston Loveland growing with Caleb Williams 

While his play next to Kmet will be the talk of training camp, neither could succeed without a strong rapport with Williams. They haven’t been able to do much on the field yet, but Loveland is already loving, no pun intended, what he sees from his new quarterback.

“Yeah, great dude. Got a good energy about him,” Loveland said. “I could tell he works very hard and he takes it serious. He’s super cool, that’s my guy, looking forward to just continuing to build it, especially on the field.”

Johnson was linked to nearly every team with a coaching vacancy during the offseason. And yet, he chose the Bears. One of the main reasons was due to Williams being established as quarterback. But now able to build out the offense under his vision, Johnson had a lightbulb moment when Loveland was available at No. 10.

The tight end end must first return in training camp and prove he has a strong understanding of the offense. But if Loveland and Williams are an immediate hit, Chicago will have a dangerous offense in 2025 and beyond.

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When Ben Johnson was named head coach of the Chicago Bears, the franchise was widely expected to land a standout running back, akin to what he had as offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions. However, the only real offseason additions the Bears made was seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai.

As it stands, D’Andre Swift is once again set to lead the backfield. He has experience playing under Ben Johnson during his time on the Lions. The situation is a bit different now, but Swift will still play a massive role in Johnson’s offensive plans.

At the same time though, the spotlight now shines bright on Swift. Despite it being Johnson’s first year with the Bears, there have been lofty expectations placed on the organization. For Swift in particular, Moe Moton of Bleacher Report argues the running back is one of the seven players under the most pressure entering training camp.

“Johnson will put Swift to the test at training camp to see if he’s equipped to handle the lead position,” Moton wrote. “If the 2023 Pro Bowler misses time or fails to impress, the Bears could add a running back or expand Roschon Johnson’s role.”

D’Andre Swift’s Chicago Bears debut, future

During his first season in Chicago, Swift earned a career-high 253 carries, turning them into 956 yards and six touchdowns. While the near 1,000 yards was nice, he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry. If Swift is going to remain the lead back, he must be more efficient with his touches.

Working in his favor is the team’s rebuild offensive line. With three new faces along the entire, there will be more holes for Swift to run through. Furthermore, Swift offers a pass-catching ability that could make him a versatile threat in Johnson’s offense.

Over his five-year career, Swift has made 237 receptions for 1,798 yards and eight touchdowns. He caught a career-high 62 passes in Johnson’s first year as Detroit’s passing game coordinator. It may not be Jahmyr Gibbs-type production, but Swift at least offers Johnson the type of player he likes at running back.

How Swift adopts to Johnson’s new scheme with the Bears will be extremely telling. Either the running back worry of the offseason was all a moot point, or Chicago will be searching for a new lead runner sooner rather than later.

Swift’s biggest competition 

Roschon Johnson matched Swift’s team-leading six rushing touchdowns in 2024. He has proven he is a proficient goal line back. However, Johnson earned just 55 carries and 150 total yards, showing that Chicago preferred to solely use him in short-yardage situation.

As a rookie, Johnson did average 4.3 yards per carry, running for 352 yards and two touchdowns on 81 carries. He has already received an endorsement from general manager Ryan Poles. And with Johnson, the head coach, wiping the slate clean, Johnson, the running back, will seemingly have a stronger opportunity to make an impact in 2025.

Monangai is a small running back that ran just a 4.6 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. There are plenty of reasons he fell to the seventh-round. But Johnson chose Monangai for a reason. He has a mountain to climb to make an impact as a rookie based on his draft capital, but training camp will give the running back a prime opportunity to impress.

During his five years at Rutgers, Monangai ran for 3,222 yards and 27 touchdowns. In 2023 he led the Big Ten in rushing yards with 1,262. He then broke that mark a year later, running for 1,279 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns. Monangai was name First-team All-Big Ten in his final collegiate season.

Ben Johnson will certainly be watching the running back room throughout training camp. If the head coach doesn’t like what he sees, perhaps Swift could be facing even more competition for that RB1 role.

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While training camp is right around the corner, the Chicago Bears remained in contract limbo with their trio of second-round picks. However, the San Francisco 49ers agreeing to terms with second-rounder Alfred Collins has opened up the floodgates.

Now, the Bears have signed both offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive lineman Shemar Turner. Turner’s deal is for four-years, although there is yet to be word on how much is guaranteed, via Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. There’s no word on the length or monetary value of Trapilo’s contract, but it’s fair to imagine he’ll get a similar deal to Turner, just perhaps a bit more expensive due to when he was drafted. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune first reported the Trapilo signing.

The #Bears and second-round DT Shemar Turner have agreed to terms on his four-year rookie contract, source says, as the logjam slowly begins to open up. pic.twitter.com/d7Xkjgcduy

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 17, 2025

#Bears have a deal in place with OT Ozzy Trapilo now as well.

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) July 17, 2025

The only second-rounder that remains unsigned for Chicago is Luther Burden. Since he was the first of the three selections, it makes sense his negotiations may take a little longer. But fans weren’t able to see much of the rookie during minicamp due to a soft tissue injury. They’re at least hoping he’ll be on the field early into training camp.

Perhaps Trapilo and Turner’s deals are a precursor to Burden signing. For now, general manager Ryan Poles will continue to work his magic as two of the three 2025 second-round picks get acclimated to the Windy City.

Ozzy Trapilo, Shemar Turner officially join Chicago Bears 

The Bears selected Trapilo with the No. 56 overall pick. He was a dominant right tackle during his time at Boston College, ultimately earning First-team All-ACC honors in 2024. But as he comes to the Windy City, Trapilo is facing a new challenge.

With Darnell Wright dominating at right tackle over his last two seasons, new head coach Ben Johnson has been unwilling to move him. So, Trapilo has been battling with former third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie for the left tackle spot. Braxton Jones will enter the mix in training camp when fully healthy. Trapilo will have his work cut out for him, but a strong first impression on Ben Johnson could lead to immediate playing time for the rookie.

Turner was selected just six picks after Trapilo. His time at Texas A&M saw him play all over the defensive line, with his athleticism winning the Bears over. During his four years with the Aggies, Turner racked up 115 tackles, 24 for a loss and 10 sacks. In Chicago, he will start out as a defensive tackle, joining a unit that also features Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter and Andrew Billings. As he continues developing, perhaps Turner can be a multi-purpose weapon for Chicago’s defense.

The Bears are hoping that Burden will join his fellow rookies when training camp opens. It’ll be one of the front office’s top priorities. But until then, Chicago can at least relish in the fact that the second-round hold out doesn’t appear to be a long-term issue.

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Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is entering the 2025 season coming off of back-to-back Pro Bowl nominations. He is beginning to get recognition from the NFL at large. But Johnson still has some work to do if he wants to be consider the league’s best cornerback.

He has certainly set some lofty goals from himself, such as recording seven interceptions and being named an All-Pro. Furthermore, new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen understands the type of talent Johnson is. Their secondary will continue to be built around him, as the cornerback will be tasked with shutting down opposing team’s top wide receiver.

As training camp is set to kick off, NFL executives, coaches and scouts ranked Johnson as the No. 8 cornerback in the league, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Another standout season should only boost him up the rankings.

“Really good zone awareness. Sticky,” an NFL coordinator said. “Versatile skill set.”

That coordinator went on to emphasize how Johnson playing in Allen’s scheme will only benefit him.

“Johnson frequently played Cover 2 under former Bears coach Matt Eberflus” Fowler wrote, but he should get more man-coverage opportunities under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.”

“I think it will be good for him,” the coordinator said. “He’s got good feet, gets handsy at times, but he has enough awareness at this point in career that he can make a new scheme work.”

Chicago Bears have top 10 cornerback in Jaylon Johnson 

The Bears originally selected Johnson with the No. 50 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact, a recording a career-high 15 pass break ups while starting 13 games. He would record his first interception a year later, to go alongside nine pass break ups. And while injuries limited him to just 11 games in 2022, he still managed to make seven pass break ups while both forcing and recovering a fumble.

Once the 2023 season came around however, Johnson turned into an entirely different beast. He registered a career-high four interceptions, taking one to the house and 10 pass break ups. Johnson earned his first Pro Bowl nomination, which is matched in 2024. The cornerback made a career-high 53 tackles alongside eight passes defended and two interceptions. His 76.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 19/222 cornerbacks.

While general manager Ryan Poles wasn’t in Chicago when Johnson was drafted, he clearly liked what he saw. The Bears awarded the cornerback a $76 million contract extension in 2024. He’ll now be a key figure in the Windy City for the foreseeable future.

With Allen moving to an aggressive man scheme, Johnson will have more opportunities to lock up with the NFL’s best. If he remains a shutdown corner, there will be no questions about his standing in the league.

Cornerbacks above Johnson

It’s no surprise that Denver Broncos star Patrick Surtain II comes in at No. 1. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is undoubtedly the best cornerback in the league when healthy. Johnson will be striving to match Surtain’s ability to create turnovers and lockdown the top receivers.

Next comes Houston Texas defensive back Derek Stingley Jr, who led all outside cornerbacks with a minimum of 30 targets by allowing just 4.9 yards per target. He is followed by Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns. While the Browns might be in a rocky position right now, Ward has shined, leading the league with 19 pass break ups in 2024.

Next comes Trent McDuffie of the Kansas City Chiefs, who moved to the outside in 2024. His versatility is what landed him at No. 4. He is followed by new $120 million man Sauce Gardner. The cornerback is coming off of a bit of a down season, but the New York Jets gave him the back for a reason.

The two spots directly above Johnson belong to a pair of up and coming cornerbacks in Jaycee Horn of the Carolina Panthers and Christian Gonzalez of the New England Patriots. Both put together breakout 2024 campaigns and are looking to prove they can be dominant cornerbacks consistently.

Johnson will have his work cut out for him as the Bears try to get back on track. But for as much chaos surrounding Chicago in recent history, there have been no complaints about their CB1.

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