The Chicago Bears tweaked their roster again, with Caleb Williams and their incumbents enjoying a day off, ahead of their regular-season opener against the Carolina Panthers.
With two more days of practice to go, there were some interesting listings (and admissions), too.
The Bears also received a strong message from former NFL star tight end and four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski, who suggested that Chicago’s 11-win season may have been a one-off.
Super Bowl Champion Rob Gronkowski Doubts Bears to Lead News Roundup
Gronk Doubts Bears’ Magic
“No one’s really on board that the Bears are going to be absolutely dominant. They had last season, but like you said, it was a magical season,” Gronkowski told Kay Adams on “Up & Adams” on September 9. “Magical seasons don’t happen two years in a row like that, Kay.
“The only way the Bears would be able to make it is that they take away that magic, and they show that they don’t need that magic; they stepped it up. Say, Caleb Williams became a better quarterback. They became a better team, and they don’t need that magic to pull a rabbit out of the hat in the fourth quarter to win the games. They can show that they’re dominant and consistent throughout the whole entire game, the whole entire four quarters.”
Gronkowski continued his argument, saying, “That was the problem with them last year. Their inconsistency, but then pulling out magic in the last couple minutes. That’s not going to happen again. They got to show that they can play all four quarters, every single game, and win on a daily basis like that.”
Then, Gronkowski questioned the limits of Williams’ clutch ability, seeking consistency.
“The clutch gene runs out when it’s magical. In order to have the clutch genes, you got to be a perfectionist, to last throughout your whole career. When you saw Tom Brady go down the field, it was being perfect with everything. Hitting the right guy. It wasn’t throwing the ball up there after running 30 yards backwards and hoping a miracle happens and someone comes down with it,” Gronkowski said.
“It was great football to watch; it was a lot of fun. But to have that consistency, you got to be a drill sergeant in the fourth quarter like Brady was.”
Gronk added, “Being surgical like that is what makes a quarterback ‘clutch’ and have that ‘clutch gene.’ And then, boom! Hitting the deep guy when it’s open, but not forcing it, and waiting for that opportunity. That’s what Brady was. Yes, Caleb Williams had a lot of clutch genes last year. But like we said, a lot of it was magical. Can he can he be a drill sergeant when it’s needed? That’s how you stay consistent, and that’s how you become great.”
Bears Add CB Keidron Smith
The Bears announced in a post on X that they “signed DB Keidron Smith to the club’s Practice Squad.”
Smith is a former undrafted free agent.
He got his first opportunity on the field in the regular season with the Denver Broncos, but he has also played for the New York Jets and has spent time with the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Commanders.
The 6-foot-2 veteran has 22 total tackles in 12 regular-season appearances, including one start, which came with the Jets.
Bears Release 1st Injury Report of 2026 Season
The Bears also drew attention with their injury report that notably listed Ozzy Trapilo and Rome Odunze as limited participants, while Tyson Bagent was the lone non-participant on the day.
The rub is that the Bears did not practice on Wednesday. The report was an estimate.
Nevertheless, the Bears notably did not list Austin Booker, D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, or Luther Burden III on their estimated report. All four players have been at practice in recent days, but they have also navigated injuries that forced them to miss time.
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