Heading into their preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chicago Bears are still facing some backlash over their joint practice with the Miami Dolphins ahead of the opener, and the complaints are from at least one player, whose take got Jaquan Brisker’s attention.
The Bears went into that session looking to reinforce their internal message that they will be the most physical on the field, and they were on that day, to be sure.
However, Dolphins center Aaron Brewer called out the narrative around that practice.
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The Bears are one of three joint practices the Dolphins have had this summer, with stops against the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars making up the other legs. While it was nearly two weeks ago, the session against the Bears has stuck with the Dolphins.
The Miami Herald’s Omar Kelly shared a clip of Brewer’s remarks, citing a “fake tough guy” approach from the Bears.
Brisker quoted Kelly’s post on X, saying, “Sips tea” with frog and teacup emojis.
“That first joint practice with Chicago, I feel like that was like some BS,” Brewer told reporters on August 21. “They was out there tackling, and this and that. So, it was like fake physicality. They out there playing tackle football, and everybody else was out there playing 7-on-7 or something. It’s fake physicality, and we kinda seen that when we went out there and played them in a real game.”
Kelly, who later called out Bears fans for being sensitive about Brewer’s comments, noted that Chicago’s players were live-tackling when the Dolphins were not right after the practice. Kelly said multiple Bears could have been thrown out and that their approach was borderline.
“The Bears are clearly trying to create a renegade identity on defense,” Kelly posted on August 8. “It was cheap and at times crossed a line. But it was football.”
Kelly also argued that the Bears’ play in the practice was “dirty” in that setting.
The Bears and Dolphins played to a 24-24 tie on August 10, but neither side trotted out their starters, who got the bulk of the work in that joint session, in the contest. Miami’s defense also held its own against Chicago’s offense, especially as the practice progressed.
Still, to suggest the Bears’ approach was abnormal is to ignore the theme of their entire training camp since they put pads on.
The Bears want to bring a physical mentality every time they take the field.
Their session to open the week of the Dolphins’ visit was emblematic of that, and multiple players have mentioned how this has been one of, if not the, most physical camps they have participated in during their careers.
So, while the Bears are trying to create an identity, there is nothing “fake” about it. Their opponents will surely be looking to test their mettle, though.
Super Bowl Champion Reacts to Bears QB Tyson Bagent
The Bears made headlines on Wednesday, giving backup quarterback Tyson Bagent a two-year, $10 million contract that could be worth as much as $16 million with incentives.
Bagent, an undrafted free agent out of Shepherd University, got emotional at the podium after practice when discussing what the deal meant not only to him, but also to his family. His reaction drew a series of fire emojis from former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore.
Gilmore, currently a free agent, spent 2024 with the Bears’ regular-season Week 1 for, the Minnesota Vikings.
A first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2012, Gilmore is a five-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots after the 2018 regular season.
Bagent has drawn praise from his Bears coaches and teammates alike since his arrival, and Gilmore’s reaction to the young QB’s display offers a telling glimpse into how easy a story his is to cheer for.
Bears’ All-Pro Gives Fans Something to Watch
The Bears have not had cornerback Jaylon Johnson in training camp as he rehabs from what head coach Ben Johnson has only said is a leg injury. Ben Johnson said Jaylon Johnson remains on track to return by Week 1.
The 2023 second-team All-Pro will need to return to the practice field first to make that a reality, though.
Johnson is set to join Shannon Sharpe’s “Night Cap” podcast on Thursday.
It is unclear what topics will be discussed, but this section will be updated accordingly. Johnson bought a house and trained in Las Vegas during the offseason. He has spoken about the booming market for cornerbacks and the idea of negotiating a new deal.
Including 2025, Johnson still has three years left on his four-year, $76 million deal. He signed that pact in 2023 after requesting a trade.
The Bears also face a salary cap crunch in 2026 that could make the situation interesting.