The Chicago Bears held their final organized team activities on Wednesday. While it was closed to the media, their last viewing window on Tuesday provided an encouraging footnote to the offseason program.
Several players and head coach Ben Johnson spoke to the media. However, one of the biggest items that stood out was the attendance.
Caleb Williams’ presence drew attention, but he was hardly the only noteworthy appearance.
Bears Get Multiple Players on Practice Field
Final OTAs Bode Well for Bears
The Bears got young veterans Elijah Hicks and Zacch Pickens back after both player missed the on-field work during the first OTAs. Johnson said the team boasted full participation in the building during minicamp, but did note it had not translated to the field.
OTAs are voluntary. So, players missing time then was not as noteworthy.
Johnson also said Hicks, along with cornerback Jaylon Johnson, was an expected absence during mandatory minicamp.
Hicks was behind starters Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard, and fellow reserve Jonathan Owens on the depth chart under the previous coaching staff. It is unlikely that he has advanced in that regard this offseason.
He also faces a deep group of veteran and young challengers for his roster spot.
The same goes for Pickens, who is behind Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter Sr., Grady Jarrett, and possibly even rookie second-round draft pick Shemar Turner, if not others.
The Bears also got rookie cornerback Zah Frazier back. He had not been on the field during media viewing windows since rookie minicamp. The Bears have a deep group led by Johnson and Kyler Gordon, who has been dealing with a soft tissue injury but was not expected at OTAs.
Frazier must battle Terell Smith to challenge Tyrique Stevenson for reps opposite Johnson.
All of the time missed has allowed for those other veteran and young players to put their talents on tape. And a new coaching staff means few allegiances to this roster.
Johnson said there is no depth chart at this point in the offseason. That should be a wake-up call to all of the players who have missed time this offseason, particularly ones who may have already been on shaky ground.
Notable Non-Participants
It was not all good news for the Bears. They still did not have their first two picks, tight end Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III, on the practice field during the media viewing window this offseason. It should be noted that Loveland was leaving the field in a red non-contact jersey when the media was allowed to view practice on Tuesday.
Johnson said he was unsure if Loveland would be ready to go for training camp. However, Loveland, the No. 10 overall pick, said that was “the plan.”
Burden picked up his injury during rookie minicamp and has not been seen since.
Johnson, perhaps putting the onus on Burden, said he expects the 39th overall pick to be ready for training camp. That assertion stands out against the backdrop of how Johnson addressed Loveland’s status.
The Bears have not announced their training camp dates yet. But that is the next time we will receive an overall update on the team’s health. Plenty of questions remain.