As Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus ended the offseason training program for the team’s veterans, vibes were as high as they’ve been around Halas Hall in a while.
And it’s certainly different from 2022, a team that went on to go 3-14, and last summer, when the Bears had plenty of question marks.
“We’re in a different spot, all the way from the top,” Eberflus said Thursday at the end of mandatory veteran minicamp. “Ryan (Poles) and I are in a different spot. We know what we’re looking for, we know how we’re doing it. We’ve had the experiences of building this roster together, building this football team, so it’s in a different spot for sure.”
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Eberflus also noted how the Bears have “drafted well” and that players are developing the right way.
“And they’ve got to do that again,” he said.
We’ll get to see Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze and the rest of the rookies Wednesday, the final OTA of the offseason — one for rookies only — before everyone goes on vacation, but the full team workouts are done until July. The Bears’ first training camp practice is less than six weeks away.
Here are five lingering questions as the Bears approach their summer break.
1. How often will Caleb Williams get the best of the Bears defense this summer?
OTAs and minicamp went as expected from the rookie quarterback — several learning experiences against a veteran, confident defense, but he also had his highlights.
Everything ramps up in training camp, especially during padded practices when the pass rush is at a higher level. The goal for both sides of the football is to do everything to get Williams ready for Week 1.
Building something special 🏗️
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 7, 2024
“I didn’t come in necessarily with the expectation to be and seem like a 13-year vet,” Williams said Thursday. “I came in to work, to work my tail off, show the guys that I’m here, I’m working my tail off, I’m progressing and trying not to make the same mistake again. That’s the biggest thing, day in and day out, is trying not to make the same mistake over and over and learn from them.”
Avoiding repeated mistakes will be a focal point, like it often is for rookies. Williams seemed to handle the ebbs and flows of being a rookie quarterback well during the spring. There were tough sequences that ended with defensive players celebrating. He often bounced back. Can he keep doing that in July and August, and can he string together more successful drives in camp than the Bears’ QBs before him? It’s not a high bar, but this defense is stout.
GO DEEPERWhy Caleb Williams feels progress in his game after Bears minicamp2. What should the level of concern be with the offensive line?
The starting five offensive linemen never lined up together in OTAs and minicamp with the media present. Right guard Nate Davis was only in team drills for a couple of series. Left tackle Braxton Jones wasn’t on the field the final two days of minicamp. Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton rotated at center.
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The only constants were left guard Teven Jenkins and right tackle Darnell Wright.
Eberflus has spun the situation, specifically at right guard, to note the depth and options they have. It’s true to a point — Matt Pryor received a lot of reps this spring at three spots, Bates can play guard, they have better options than last season at center. So maybe the Bears will be in better shape if someone gets hurt, but what about the top line?
It’s still hard to feel confident about Davis’ availability. Jones has to stay healthy, too. And who is going to be the starting center? The sooner those things are worked out in camp, the better. The last thing the Bears want is a leaky offensive line to hinder Williams’ development. His quick release and his receivers’ ability to get open quickly will help, but too many rookie quarterbacks have had to start their careers getting hit too often. The Bears have seen it firsthand and won’t want Williams to join that list.
GO DEEPERBears minicamp: Caleb Williams, offense taking strides; Teven Jenkins' 2024 goal and more3. Are D-line reinforcements on the way?
It’s not that the defensive line struggled at all. But it still seems like the position group that could use a veteran. Defensive end Jacob Martin might be someone to watch this summer. He got some reps when Montez Sweat wasn’t in team drills. And he has 18 career sacks.
If Martin has a strong showing in camp, and rookie Austin Booker gets up to speed quickly, maybe the Bears won’t have a big need at defensive end. Dominique Robinson is another option and he figures to be a key player on special teams.
There goes that man 😤
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 5, 2024
But Yannick Ngakoue, among other vets, remains unsigned. The Bears could also add a veteran three-technique tackle to join Gervon Dexter. You can talk yourself into Dexter, Zacch Pickens and Booker as impact players, Martin as a reliable rotational player and DeMarcus Walker as off to a better start.
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Outside of Sweat and Andrew Billings, there are still plenty of question marks for a group that needs to improve its pass rush.
4. What are the roster battles to watch?
Two years ago, the Bears entered camp with double-digit roster spots available. In 2024, with a deep and talented roster, maybe a few lockers are up for grabs.
“I think you can really hone in on the battles,” Eberflus said about what it means to have most of the 53 already decided. “We still have a few spots of course. The roster’s never perfect and it’s never finalized, but we’ll be looking at that as we go.”
We’ll have a roster projection next week, but only a few positions have room on the depth chart. Special teams will be critical, and how Richard Hightower builds his kickoff coverage and return units with the new rules will play a role. Rookie running back Ian Wheeler could make a push. The last wide receiver, linebacker and defensive backs are still to be determined. And the offensive line will be a competitive group.
Recent draft picks like Robinson and Velus Jones Jr. could stick with the team for a third season in large part because of the new kickoff rules. Offensive tackle Larry Borom, who’s been with the team since 2021 and played multiple spots, will compete to make it to Year 4 in Chicago. We’ll also be watching safety — Jonathan Owens is the new No. 3, setting up a roster battle among Elijah Hicks, Adrian Colbert and Tarvarius Moore.
V12 turned on the burners 💨 pic.twitter.com/D9av7jHLrE
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 5, 2024
5. How will the organization handle the attention that comes with ‘Hard Knocks’?
Eberflus’ message has been heeded from the players we talked to last week. They are going to try to embrace the idea of fans around the country knowing what’s going on at Halas Hall.
“It shows that we got something brewing here,” linebacker Tremaine Edmunds said. “Everybody wants to see what’s going on, and just really being yourself out there, not doing too much but just showing up to work and just showing the world what we’re about here.”
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Still, it will be an adjustment. Cameras will be everywhere. Some players will have to set aside time if they’re chosen for interviews. It’ll be something else on Eberflus and Poles’ schedule. And then after the show airs, there will be questions about what we saw.
Nothing should be more of a distraction than what the Bears had to deal with last fall, with coaches exiting and losing seven of their first nine games. The veterans should be prepared for it. But it’s still new and has never been on the Bears’ summer to-do list.
“Obviously, we’ve got to keep the main thing the main thing there,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “But definitely something cool to have as we grow older and eventually when we’re all done with this game (it’s) kind of something to look back on for our kids and grandkids and so, yeah, definitely gonna take advantage of it and soak that all in.”
GO DEEPERJaylon Johnson was defined by what he didn't have; now he has more than enough(Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
Kevin Fishbain is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Chicago Bears. He spent the 2013-16 seasons on the Bears beat for Shaw Media publications, including the Northwest Herald, Daily Chronicle and Joliet Herald-News. Previously, he covered the NFL from 2010 to 2012 for Pro Football Weekly. Follow Kevin on Twitter @kfishbain
