10 takeaways from the Bears’ first week of training camp
The Chicago Bears have wrapped up their first week of training camp practice at Halas Hall, where they conducted four practices.
There was plenty to take in from the first week of practice, including the development of quarterback Justin Fields, the play of Chicago’s top rookies and how the offensive line is shaking out following Lucas Patrick’s injury and Teven Jenkins’ absence.
The Bears return to the practice field on Monday morning, which is expected to be the team’s first padded practice of the summer.
But before we look ahead to next week’s practice, here’s what we learned after Chicago’s first week of training camp:
The rookies are stealing the show
The first week of training camp showcased the Bears’ top rookies in cornerback Kyler Gordon, safety Jaquan Brisker and wide receiver Velus Jones Jr., who all look poised to make an impact in Year 1.
Gordon and Brisker, the team’s top two selections, were brought in to help the secondary. Both made an impression during the spring, and they’ve now carried that over into training camp, where they’re proving to be takeaway machines. Both Gordon and Brisker came away with interceptions of quarterback Justin Fields during team drills on Friday. It’s not the first time, nor will it be the last.
“Ball hawks; that’s what they are, that’s why we brought them here,” said head coach Matt Eberflus. “A person doesn’t change from college. If they have ball skills in college, they still have it. We enhance them by being fanatical and us practicing the way we practice and the drills we do that we’ve done forever and the new ones that we’re incorporating now. We’ll enhance that skill. But it’s got to be a want-to.”
Jones had a big day on Saturday, where he was one of the bright spots on an otherwise unimpressive day for the offense. He caught two deep balls from Fields, including an over-the-shoulder catch from Fields going against Gordon. Jones’ 4.3 speed was evident, and it looks like he can be a playmaker in this offense.
“They’re moving me from Z, F, X,” Jones said. “They want me to know everything, so it’s been really fun getting to work with my QBs and stuff like that. But they know my abilities. They know the reason why they drafted me. I am really good with the ball in my hands. Wherever they need me to be, I’m just going to be there and execute.”
The Justin Fields-Darnell Mooney connection is special
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One of the storylines this offseason has been the rapport between Fields and Mooney. They were virtually inseparable this offseason as they furthered their connection. That’s been obvious through these first four practices, where Fields and Mooney have connected on several occasions.
“I just feel like wherever the ball is, I’ve got an opportunity to get it,” Mooney said. “He’s throwing it to me for a reason—because he trusts me—so I have to make that play for him regardless of where the ball is.”
Mooney is entering his first season as the team’s top wide receiver, where he’ll now be the focal point for defenses. But Mooney has shown an ability to get separation and make plays with Fields throwing him the ball.
There’s a trust there, but also the potential for this duo to become a potent one.
Bears aren't afraid to get their young players opportunities
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The Bears have been leaning on their youth during the first week of practice, where their rookies have had a chance to work with the first-team. It’s not a surprise that Gordon, Brisker and Jones have gotten those opportunities. But the four rookie offensive linemen have been working with the starters.
Friday was the best example of this, when all four rookie offensive linemen — Braxton Jones, Zachary Thomas, Doug Kramer and Ja’Tyre Carter — were all taking reps with the starters at one point. Granted, Lucas Patrick’s injury and Cody Whitehair getting a veteran rest day certainly influenced that. But it says a lot that the coaches are giving those opportunities to the younger players rather than throwing veterans in there.
It hasn’t been perfect — and the offensive line looked rough at times with that starting combination, along with Larry Borom at right tackle — but it’s valuable experience for rookies who hope to carve out a role for themselves down the road.
Kyler Gordon getting looks both outside and in the slot
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The Bears knew what they were getting in Gordon when they drafted him 39th overall in the 2022 NFL draft. A versatile defensive back with the potential to play outside or in the slot, which is what he did in college at Washington.
So it’s not exactly a surprise to see Gordon getting plenty of looks at both spots during the first week of training camp.
“I love nickel and love what I can do there,” he said.
Gordon has embraced his dual role outside and in the slot, and Eberflus said it was always the plan to get him reps at nickel cornerback.
“He’s a heck of an athlete,” Eberflus said.. “He’s uber smart. I mean, he’s so smart. And he’s able to move in and out. He can play any position. I think the guy could play three positions if we’d let him, but we’re not going to do that. But he’s doing a great job.”
For now, it still seems most likely that Gordon will start the season on the outside opposite Jaylon Johnson. But he could certainly factor into the nickel role.
It's been a rough two summer for Teven Jenkins
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Teven Jenkins’ NFL career isn’t off to a great start. The former second-round pick has had a rough two years, including missing the last three training camp practices with what appears to be an undisclosed injury. All Eberflus would say is that Jenkins is “working through something with trainers.”
It’s certainly concerning given Jenkins’ injury history. He missed most of training camp last summer with a back injury. That injury eventually required surgery, which sidelined him for most of his rookie season.
With a chance for a fresh start, Jenkins started the offseason program as the starting right tackle. He was eventually demoted to the second-team and Larry Borom kicked over from left tackle to right tackle. Jenkins already faced an uphill battle to win he starting right tackle job over Borom and missing practice isn’t helping matters.
The starting offensive line is starting to take shape
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There were a lot of concerns about the offensive line heading into training camp given questions at the tackle and right guard positions. But the Bears answered a couple of those with the additions of veterans Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield, who brought this offensive line was concerning to average. Which, at this point, is best case scenario for Fields in Year 2.
Eberflus reiterated that all offensive line combinations are open heading into the summer, and we’ve seen that with the different shifts along the line through the first week.
“We have to keep an open mind into the best combination, the best five, and the best three guys after that,” Eberflus said. “So it’s important that we keep an open mind.”
While that might be the case, it’s hard not to get a clearer sense of what this offensive line will look like in Week 1. While Patrick is sidelined with a broken right thumb, he’s expected to be ready before the opener. Cody Whitehair is already a lock at left guard and Borom has been taking starting reps at right tackle since the spring. Reiff and Schofield have been in a ramp-up period as they learn the playbook. But once ready, Reiff is the clear favorite at left tackle with Schofield should factor into the right guard spot.
Cole Kmet could be headed for breakout year
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A lot has been made about the connection between Fields and Mooney, but Kmet is building his own rapport with Fields, as evidenced by the first week of practice.
On Friday, Fields found Kmet down the seam for a huge gain, where Kmet caught the ball between two defensive backs. It was easily the play of the day, and it showed how far Fields and Kmet have come since the spring.
“That’s a throw we’ve been working on a lot this offseason, so it was pretty cool to execute that today down the field,” Kmet said. “Knew exactly where he was going to throw that and with the leverage I had on the guy, that was really cool to see. We’ll definitely build on that.”
Kmet is entering a pivotal third year where he’s looking to prove he can be a playmaker for the Bears. It certainly sounds like he’s going to get the opportunity to do just that, and his connection with Fields is certainly something to watch.
“You saw him make a couple of plays that show his capabilities in the pass game,” said offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. “And the in the run game, I’ve been very impressed with how he’s attacked the run game and how physical he’s been, from spring and in these last couple of days.
“He can do a lot of different things. The thing I like about football players more than anything is the guys that can do a lot of different things, and that makes them more valuable to the offense and makes it more dangerous to the defense. Cole is one of those guys that has that flexibility.”
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The offense is still a work in progress
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Back in minicamp, Fields told reporters that the offense wasn’t ready to play a game. It wasn’t meant to be alarming, merely an honest assessment of where the group was following minicamp.
In the first week of training camp, it’s still clear that the offense is still a work in progress. Whether it’s mistakes like dropped passes or penalties, there are some things that still need to be cleaned up. But there have also been signs of improvement since the spring.
“I wouldn’t say that it has become fluent yet,” Mooney said. “I still have things where I’m like, ‘Hold on, what’s this?’ And then I go. I’ve picked it up faster than some guys, but I’m not there yet.”
Sure, the offense still has a ways to go. But they’ve got the entirety of training camp and the preseason to get there.
“We’re getting more comfortable each day,” Kmet said. “We’ve still got a long way to go, if I’m being honest, and that’s not a bad thing; that’s just where we’re at. We’ve got a whole training camp ahead of us to get this thing right and to get things rolling. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but guys are willing to put the work in and willing to come in every day and get better each and every day.”
Robert Quinn isn't going anywhere...for now
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After missing the entirety of the Bears offseason program, there was a question about whether star edge rusher Robert Quinn would report to training camp. Those concerns were addressed immediately as Quinn reported to camp on time and addressed speculation about wanting to be traded.
Quinn explained his decision to skip mandatory minicamp, which had to do with taking care of his body and preparing mentally for the new year. Quinn said that he doesn’t want to be traded, and his expectation is that he’s going to be with the Bears this season. But Quinn also understands the business nature of the NFL, and there’s always a possibility that he could be traded.
“The only thing I can control is myself,” Quinn said. “Whether I’m in this building or another building, all I can do is bring the best version of myself and keep the positive energy around. If you think about all the what-ifs, honestly, you’re going to start bringing some negative energy in the building. I’ve seen it before and it’s not a good thing. I’m just trying to walk in with a positive spirit and get myself prepared for the season as a Chicago Bear and take life as it comes.”
It doesn’t appear that Quinn is going anywhere. Well, at least for now.
Players are effusive in praise for new coaching staff
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There’s been a lot of discussion about the culture shift inside of Halas Hall. From the clear standards and expectations to holding players accountable, there’s a different feel with this team. And while we can sit here and talk about it for hours, it’s the players that we should be listening to.
Whether it’s veterans like safety Eddie Jackson and left guard Cody Whitehair to younger guys like Khalil Herbert, players have been effusive in their praise for the new coaching staff.
“It starts with ‘Flus.’ Coach, he’s never late to a meeting, he’s probably 5-10 minutes early waiting on us to get in there, sitting in the back of the room,” Jackson said. “Just that accountability part and holding everyone accountable, everyone equally accountable. No matter if you’re Year 10, Year 2, Year 1.”
It’s even carrying over into their teaching methods. Herbert praised the coaches’ teaching strategies. He explained they’re going out of their way to make things fun, including utilizing an educational gaming tool called “Kahoot!”
“The way they teach us, and the way they break things down and go through stuff, and draw things out, it’s next level,” Herbert said. “I love this staff and how they teach us and how they bring these concepts in and show us how it’s done.”
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