10 takeaways from conclusion of Bears training camp
The Chicago Bears are wrapping training camp with just one preseason game left on the docket. The team’s culture has changed, the Bears have adopted a new identity on defense, the offense has been bit by the injury bug, and star linebacker Roquan Smith demanded a trade.
It’s shaping up to be a good year for Justin Fields in a new offensive scheme, but the lack of offensive line and wide receiver depth will challenge the scheme’s effectiveness.
Trade rumors continue to swirl around Teven Jenkins and Roquan Smith, and speculation of the Bears acquiring more players to replace lost depth on the roster continues.
While there are still plenty of questions surrounding this team ahead of the season, here are 10 takeaways following the conclusion of Bears training camp.
The defensive backfield has become the strength of the Bears' defense
Jaquan Brisker has emerged as a potential star in the secondary at safety for the Bears. The question isn’t why the Bears took a defender in the second round; it’s why teams let Brisker fall out of the first round. The rookie is a complete safety – able to play in the box and stop the run, athletic enough to play the pass, and delivers a big hit to the ball carriers.
Kyler Gordon is a perfect fit for the Cover 2 scheme and has impressed playing outside and in the slot. Gordon and Brisker have been ballhawks in training camp, forcing the offense into turnovers.
Brisker and Gordon are two rookies who can play immediately and create takeaways, the perfect fit for coach Eberflus’ defense. In addition, the two rookies provide opportunities for Eddie Jackson to play to his strengths as a deep safety and for Jaylon Johnson to see more options as teams are forced to throw at him.
Despite efforts to improve the offensive line, lack of depth causes it to remain a concern
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The Bears focused on improving the offensive line this offseason, signing free agents Lucas Patrick, Michael Schofield, and Reilly Reiff, all of which were expected to start. Following Patrick’s injuries and Schofield’s poor performance, the Bears again have questions about their starting offensive line.
The team has shuffled around players moving Teven Jenkins to right guard alongside Larry Borom at right tackle. Sam Mustipher is again playing center, and rookie Braxton Jones is the starting left tackle. It’s an inexperienced offensive line with plenty of question marks. The Bears can’t afford too many injuries to the offensive line in the future.
Linebacker depth is a serious issue
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Linebacker was another position the Bears focused on in the offseason. Following the switch to a 4-3, the Bears signed free agent Nicholas Morrow to play middle linebacker, allowing Roquan Smith to play the premier weakside linebacker in Matt Eberflus’ defense. But the depth behind Morrow and Smith is limited.
The other linebackers behind Smith and Morrow are veteran journeymen with little experience or undrafted rookies. Undrafted rookie Jack Sanborn was impressive in two preseason games and might find himself playing more if there are injuries.
Smith returned to practice on Aug. 20 for the first time since minicamp. Hopefully, it’s a sign of a future deal getting finalized as the Bears can’t afford to be without Smith in 2022.
The Bears are going to play with tenacity and high energy on defense
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If anything has stood out, it’s the tempo and tenacity with which the Bears play on defense. The Bears have quickly adopted Matt Eberflus’ H.I.T.S. philosophy. It’s excellent seeing defensive linemen running 10-20 yards downfield in pursuit to avoid receiving bad grades on film from their new head coach and defensive coordinator Alan Williams. Players, both young and old, seem to have bought into their new coach’s system.
Justin Fields has improved his technique and can own and execute the offense
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The Bears have been working with Justin Fields to improve his technique and grasp of the new offense. The second-year quarterback has impressed the coaching staff with his ability to handle the offense.
Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy complimented the young quarterback: “That’s what’s so special about him — the way he attacks every day and his approach and leads by example doesn’t ask anybody to do anything he doesn’t expect of himself. That guy’s a natural-born leader-type of guy, so we’re lucky to have a guy like that leading this thing.”
This year, it’s clear Fields is the undisputed starter and the offense’s leader. He has stepped up and taken control of the offense. Despite limited reps in the preseason, Fields has been impressive, executing the offensive with accuracy and efficiency
Justin Fields and Darnell Mooney are building a special connection
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The second-year quarterback and third-year receiver have been putting in long hours and taking extra reps to build their on-field chemistry. With Allen Robinson gone, Mooney is the clear WR1, and despite the free agent additions of Byron Pringle and others, he should get the bulk of the targets. Mooney will draw all the attention from opposing defenses in 2022, and chemistry with Fields will be essential.
Tajae Sharpe has emerged as the WR3 behind Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle
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Following injuries to N’Keal Harry and Byron Pringle, veteran Tajae Sharpe has emerged as one of Fields’ key receivers during training camp. Sharpe is carving a role for himself in the offense, evidenced by his 44 yards receiving in the first preseason game against Kansas City. With rookie Velus Jones playing a “jack of all trades” role, the Bears will need another pure wide receiver on the offense behind Mooney and Pringle. Sharpe could be just that.
Cole Kmet seems to be a focal point of the new Luke Getsy offense
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Getsy believes the third-year tight end can be a “rock star” on offense and has plans to let him play outside as a receiver and in-line as a traditional tight end. The Bears staff are excited about Kmet’s potential and want to see him take another step forward and have a breakout year.
We saw Kmet’s role in the new offense in the second preseason game. First, he caught a 12-yard screen pass on the first play from scrimmage. Later, he caught a 19-yard completion down the middle of the field. As the Bears struggle with wide receiver depth, Kmet could emerge as the number two receiving option behind Mooney.
The criticism of Kmet is that he hasn’t found the end zone much in his career. There’s hope he’ll be able to fill the role Robert Tonyan played in the Green Bay offense in 2020, when he caught 11 touchdowns.
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Despite moving to right guard, Teven Jenkins could still be traded
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Teven Jenkins started the offseason program as the starting right tackle. He was eventually demoted to the second team, and Larry Borom moved from left to right tackle. Later, Jenkins missed seven workouts with an undisclosed injury, and trade rumors swirled around him during his absence from the group.
While he’d later return to practice, he was moved inside to right guard following the poor play of Michael Schofield. Despite Jenkins saying the right things and turning in a good performance at right guard, trade rumors continue to swirl.
Adam Schefter went on the Peggy & Dionne Show for ESPN 1000 and expressed his belief that Jenkins will be traded before the start of the regular season.
“My guess would be that he’s not a Bear this season, and we’ll see where they move him and what they get for him,” Schefter said. “It won’t be what they invested in him, but it’ll be something.”
Robert Quinn isn't going anywhere for now
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After the signing of defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad and Robert Quinn missing the entirety of the offseason program, there was speculation that Quinn could be traded. However, despite the rumors, he hasn’t requested a trade and has made it clear he wants to remain on the Bears.
The odd man out appears to be Trevis Gipson for now. In the second preseason game, the Bears started on defense with the pass-rushing combination of Muhammad and Quinn, leaving 2021’s breakout star Gipson on the bench.
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