The Chicago Bears certainly embraced the nostalgia on Day 1 (technically, Day 2, but the first for media) of rookie minicamp, including with the son of legendary center Olin Kreutz, former Illinois pivot Josh Kreutz.
The younger Kreutz is one of several roster hopefuls attending the minicamp in hopes of sticking around through the rest of the offseason, or at least getting connections for the future.
They helped fill out a group that was, of course, headlined by the Bears’ rookie draft class.
Bears Rookie Minicamp Notebook: Josh Kreutz Reveals Advice, Draft Class Takes Field & More
Second Generation Bears O-Lineman Josh Kreutz Talks Iconic Father, Rookie Minicamp
Josh Kreutz is one of the legacy Chicago Bears attending rookie minicamp.
Kreutz spent five years at the University of Illinois, arriving with several seasons’ worth of starting experience at the college level. Kreutz’s father was a third-round selection by the Bears in the 1998 draft.
Despite their different draft pedigrees, the elder Kreutz offered sound advice for his son.
“How to prepare, how to practice hard, and try to do everything you can to learn the playbook and get ready to go,” Kreutz told Clocker Sports on Friday about the sage advice he received.
“I think it helped me a lot with learning the playbook. I know a lot of terminology and stuff like that. And I think just knowing the game and knowing a lot about the center position does help. And there’s stuff I need to learn still, and stuff I need to improve on, but that does help a lot.”
Kreutz faces an uphill battle to make the Bears’ 53-man roster because he is a UDFA.
However, he spoke candidly about the lessons learned from his tough but caring father as a coach during his youth.
Bears Tap Into Nostalgia on Day 1
Logan Jones donned the No. 54 jersey, a legendary digit for the Chicago Bears.
Kreutz was sporting his father’s former jersey number, No. 57, on the field. The Bears have kept the number in circulation, with nine players wearing it since the elder Kreutz last did, including Jack Sanborn and Jonathan Garvin in 2025.
Kreutz was not the only legacy Bear in attendance, joining Jai Williams, son of former offensive tackle James O. “Big Cat” Williams.
James Williams and Olin Kreutz were teammates from 1998 through the 2002 season.
The elder Williams also wore 71 during his playing days, and his son does. Moreover, James Williams transitioned from being a defensive lineman after his second NFL season, while Jai Williams is currently trying to make his mark on the D-line.
The most notable number on the field was No. 54, last worn by Brian Urlacher in 2012, on second-round center Logan Jones. Per the team, Urlacher gave his blessing for Jones to use the digit.
Jones is a player the Bears hope is their center for years to come.
Former Bears star Devin Hester was also in attendance on Friday
Bears Rookie Draft Glass Gets Feet Wet
Dillon Thieneman and his fellow Chicago Bears rookies took to the field in minicamp.
Jones said that he has not spoken to Urlacher about the jersey, but repeatedly noted how much of an honor it is to wear the same number and how revered the Hall of Fame linebacker remains within the walls of Halas Hall.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson said it is up to Jones, whom he views as a seasoned player rather than a rookie, to determine when he sees the field.
That could mean that offseason trade pickup Garrett Bradbury is on notice/a short leash.
Johnson lauded first-round pick Dillion Thieneman’s movement skills, while the rookie noted that he had been anxious to get back on the field. Thieneman said he is focused on learning strong safety at this point, having a firmer understanding of free safety already.
There, Thieneman will line up next to Coby Bryant, a converted corner whose best asset is his coverage ability.
Third-round pick Sam Roush noted that he is focused on learning formations and run plays.
He joins a group of tight ends that the Bears could lean on even more than they did last season, but he notably described the Bears as a run-first offense. That is why the Bears drafted him, but they will not be able to get a true measure of his effectiveness until training camp.
That is true for everyone, since there are no pads and, thus, no live contact, during this portion of the offseason program.
The Bears will wrap their three-day (two open to the media) minicamp on Saturday.
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