Which Bears players will benefit most from a strong training camp performance?
With the Chicago Bears gearing up to start padded practices on Aug. 17, there are several players who will be fighting for their starting jobs or roster spots in training camp.
There’s a lot of stake over these next few weeks ahead of the regular season. And without preseason games to coincide with camp, there are even fewer opportunities for some players to prove their worth. Which means they’re going to need to make every rep in practice count.
Our Bears Wire staff shares their thoughts on which players they believe needs a strong training camp performance to boost their stock heading into 2020.
Alyssa: QB Mitchell Trubisky
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
If there’s anyone that needs a strong training camp and just a strong performance in general this season, it’s Mitchell Trubisky. Not only is his starting job on the line, but his future in Chicago hinges on whether or not he’s able to win the job and, if so, what he’s able to do with the opportunity if given it. Trubisky has a slight advantage when it comes to his familiarity with his teammates, and he’s going to need to capitalize on that and his two years of experience in Matt Nagy’s offense to stand a chance.
Honestly, there’s not an awful lot that Trubisky can show from training camp reps alone. Practice is one thing, live game reps are another. But if he can manage to do the things that Nagy is looking for him to improve — reading defenses, proper mechanics, throwing with accuracy — that would be enough to earn him the starting job and another audition for Chicago’s franchise quarterback.
Related
Report: Bears bringing in North Texas QB Mason Fine for tryout
Matt Nagy gives update on Bears QB competition between Trubisky, Foles
What the loss of NT Eddie Goldman means for the Bears in 2020
Rookie TE Cole Kmet explains how he was able to quickly grasp Bears offense
Brendan: Javon Wims
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
There are honestly a dozen players who need an exceptional training camp to either solidify a roster spot or become a starter, including both quarterbacks. But I’m going to the wide receivers to say Wims. The third-year pro is likely fighting for a roster spot after being put on notice by his position coach Mike Furrey when he said the team will find out how bad he wants the job over the next few weeks. With a pair of speedsters brought in this offseason in free agent Ted Ginn Jr. and rookie Darnell Mooney, plus the buzz surrounding second-year pro Riley Ridley, it’s clear Wims will have to shine to make the team.
Wims was dubbed a key sleeper last season and he did see increased playing time in 2019. But he struggled with penalties and drops when he was on the field. Wims is a big receiver who wasn’t necessarily used as a “go up and get it” guy and doesn’t possess the speed to burn defenders. He also doesn’t play special teams, a key deciding factor when teams are looking who to keep and who to cut.
For a seventh-round selection, you can do a lot worse than Wims. But he’s on the outside looking in right now and needs to stand out to see another year on the Bears.
Related
Report: Bears bringing in North Texas QB Mason Fine for tryout
Matt Nagy gives update on Bears QB competition between Trubisky, Foles
What the loss of NT Eddie Goldman means for the Bears in 2020
Rookie TE Cole Kmet explains how he was able to quickly grasp Bears offense
Ryan: WR Anthony Miller
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears will be expecting big things from Miller in Year 3, and especially after the team released Taylor Gabriel. General manager Ryan Pace moved up into the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft to grab the Memphis product, who put up productive numbers in his rookie season, despite playing injured through most of it.
The following offseason, Miller talked about being a double-digit touchdown producer, and he only crossed the goal line twice. A closer review of his statistics shows that he was impacted by poor quarterback play with his yards per reception, catch rate, and yards per target numbers nearly identical from Year 1 to Year 2.
Still, Miller figures to be WR2 across from Allen Robinson, and the Bears will need him to remain healthy this year while taking that next step.
Related
Report: Bears bringing in North Texas QB Mason Fine for tryout
Matt Nagy gives update on Bears QB competition between Trubisky, Foles
What the loss of NT Eddie Goldman means for the Bears in 2020
Rookie TE Cole Kmet explains how he was able to quickly grasp Bears offense
Greg: NT John Jenkins
David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
With Eddie Goldman opting out, there’s a hole at nose tackle that someone needs to fill. Jenkins is next in line, but in his seven-year career, he hasn’t produced enough to be the answer for what the Bears are looking for on the defensive line. The 31-year-old needs a strong training camp performance to show that he is the guy that can handle the trenches.
If there’s a poor or even average performance by Jenkins, the Bears might look into free agency for a player like Damon “Snacks” Harrison to either start over Jenkins or split snaps. The Bears only have two active nose tackles on the roster with Jenkins and UDFA Lee Autry. How well Jenkins performs in training camp will probably determine if they need to bring in another player.
