Bears News: Training Camp Wk 1 Done + Jahdae Walker Interview

The Chicago Bears just completed their first week of practices in training camp, and Ben Johnson’s group appeared to be in fine form. Caleb Williams and the offense bested the defense over the first three practices, but the defense capitalized on a rain-soaked Saturday.

It was a fitting end for a team coming off a team that saw it’s offense lead the charge and it’s defense survive on turnovers and little else.

That, plus Clocker Sports’ exclusive interview with wide receiver Jahdae Walker.

Bears News Roundup: Recapping Training Camp Week 1 & Jahdae Walker Interview

Richard Hightower Fired Up

Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, wide receiver Zavion Thomas, and tight end Cole Kmet all took the podium on Satuday.

Hightower was looking forward to being out in the elements on the day, expecting it to provide a solid challenge for his unit. The Bears split the session, heading outside after opening indoors in the Walter Payton Center.

Hightower showered veteran Josh Blackwell as an exemplary player.

The veteran coach also said that he wants to see players graduate from special teams because they have earned greater roles on offense or defense.

To that end, Jaylon Jones could be next, and Hightower is all for it. Jones has filled in at nickelback with Kyler Gordon sidelined and could be this year’s Nahshon Wright if the situation holds for any reason.

Gordon remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

Hightower also wished friend and San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan well and a speedy recovery following the latter’s car accident that happened during the summer break.

In another comment that carried over later into the day, Hightower noted newcomer Kalif Raymond–a veteran of 10 seasons–sought him out to ask how he could get “1%” better after joining the Bears.

Jaylon Johnson Eyeing Another Payday

Johnson spoke candidly about his battle with a core muscle injury last season that required surgery and left him managing pain for the duration of the 2025 regular season. He also admitted he is not fully back to his normal self quite yet.

Despite that, Johnson said he views this as a contract season. That is despite being under contract through 2027 on a four-year, $76 million deal.

Johnson also praised Williams, Coby Bryant, and Dillon Thieneman.

Johnson said Williams is the best QB he has played with, citing Nick Foles as the next best example. He also lauded what newcomers Bryant and Thieneman bring to the Bears’ retooled secondary.

Zavion Thomas Gets Clear Instructions

Thomas caught a touchdown from backup QB Tyson Bagent, fittingly, doing his best impression of Raymond from the day before. Thomas noted after practice that Johnson told him early on that he wanted him to study Raymond.

That is in contrast to what Thomas said when asked if he had studied Raymond’s former Detroit Lions teammate and running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Despite previous speculation, Thomas said he has not been asked to do that at this point.

Johnson–who was Raymond and Gibbs’ offensive coordinator with the Lions–is not taking it lightly on Thomas. He pulled the rookie during a drill for a mistake and has subjected him to the “firehose” method of feeding players information.

Thomas has responded to the challenges the Bears have presented for him so far, and even said he has not noticed a difference in the approach to kick returns from college yet.

He could prove to be a versatile and dangerous weapon for the Bears.

Cole Kmet Said All the Right Things

Kmet joked about his seniority, noting that he has Jaylon Johnson beat by 15 minutes. But that experience means he has seen the Bears at some low points, and he is certainly enjoying the fact that they are coming off a good season and trending in the right direction.

Kmet became the latest Bear to comment on how much further along they are this year compared to last, when they were learning Ben Johnson’s offense.

The same is true for Dennis Allen’s defense.

Kmet noted that he has felt the improved speed and lateral quickness on that side of the ball, which bodes well for the Bears moves to add Bryant and Thieneman to the secondary and Devin Bush at linebacker.

Asked about being the quintessential player that Johnson wants, from his versatility and professional approach, and rationalizing that with seeing fewer targets, Kmet was blunt.

“I’d rather win, man. It’s miserable around here when you’re not winning,” Kmet told reporters after Saturday’s practice, noting that Johnson and the Bears value the kind of skill set he has and that his only focus is doing what the coaches ask “at a high level.”

What We Saw

Bryant’s interception on Williams was almost followed up by another right after as the Bears QB had an off day, which stands out amid his strong start to camp.

Williams also threw a questionable pass during another 11-on-11 session that saw Bush and fellow linebacker Jack Sanborn both attempt to make a play only for the resulting collision to allow the ball to fall incomplete.

Bagent continued to look like a steady fallback option.

Kmet lauded Bagent, noting his journey, how he just goes about his work, and his belief that the fourth-year passer could be a starter in the NFL.

Jedrick Wills saw his most extensive action with the starting offensive line at left tackle. He remains in competition with incumbent and former starter Braxton Jones for the LT1 job with pads set to come on next week.

Jones and Cam Lewis’ battle for nickelback reps is interesting.

Lewis has lined up there and both safety spots, making sound reads on the football when it is in the air. Jones is another incumbent, and offers a bigger option, more similar to Gordon.

Gordon is one of several players the Bears missed during the first week of camp, with running back Kyle Monangai a noteworthy absence about whose situation little is known at this point. If the Bears can start getting healthy in addition to their momentum, a hot start to the season is very much a possibility.

Jahdae Walker Interview

Chicago Bears wide receiver Jahdae Walker joined Clocker Sports during training camp to discuss a wide range of topics: Being in Year 2, advice he stole from Johnson, learning from WRs/Asst. HC Antwaan Randle El, and much more.