The Chicago Bears are gearing up for training camp, with rookies like Logan Jones reporting in a few days, veterans like Caleb Williams and Luther Burden III to follow shortly thereafter, and their first practice right behind that.
Each of those players drew attention for varying reasons on Tuesday.
Williams is getting some pushback over his perceived standing in comparison to his peers, Burden’s stock continues to rise, and Jones is part of a highly anticipated position battle.
Caleb Williams Pushback Leads Bears News Roundup
Super Bowl Champion Pushes Back on Caleb Williams Buzz
Former NFL tight end and 2016 Super Bowl champion Clay Harbor was critical of Colin Cowherd’s top 10 quarterbacks list, which had Williams ahead of Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson.
“I think Caleb Williams is gonna have a very good year this year but saying he’s better than Lamar Jackson right now is a step too far,” Harbor posted on X on July 21. “I love Caleb’s future. He has top-three talent and could become one of the league’s best under Ben.
“But right now, Lamar is the better QB by a wide margin.”
Harbor rattled off Jackson’s extensive list of accolades, including two MVPs and various counting stats.
“Caleb has the tools. Lamar has the résumé, production, consistency, and accolades,” Harbor said in the post, which included a video segment from the “Big Pro Football Show” debating the subject. “Projecting Caleb into the elite tier is fair. Ranking him ahead of Lamar isn’t. Potential doesn’t outweigh proven excellence.”
Jackson has sparked debates after the player-voted Top 100 Players list, falling behind some other less-accomplished players. Williams has not been named to the list yet. Meaning that, if he is, he will also check in ahead of Jackson in a vote of their peers.
Luther Burden III Hype Continues to Build
Williams has a new top target at wide receiver alongside Rome Odunze in Burden following the DJ Moore trade. Burden has been building steam after a strong end to his rookie season and Bears head coach Ben Johnson touting him taking a big step forward in 2026.
Andrew Hawkins highlighted Burden amid his remarks about reasons to be excited about the Bears, including Austin Booker and Dillon Thieneman on defense.
Hawkins said the focus, though, is on the Bears’ offense.
“That’s what you want when you have Ben Johnson. The offensive line looked much better last year. And you could almost see Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson, when they started to click, kind of, midpoint last season. And even from Caleb Williams’ perspective, you can see him get more comfortable with the balance of going off script and staying within structure,” Hawkins said in response to fellow former player Jason McCourty on “NFL Live” on July 21.
“I think [Burden] is going to be the breakout Y receiver of the 2026 NFL season. When you watch him last year–and he really wasn’t like a true like point of the offense until midway points to later. But this is on 60 targets he had 47 receptions. He almost led the team even in a minimal amount of offensive targets and snaps and not coming on until late in the season.”
Burden finished his rookie season with 652 yards and 2 touchdowns. He had a 13-171-1 line through the first seven weeks of the season and is healthier this offseason.
That should help him get out to a faster start.
“He does it in yards after catch, he does it in contested catches, he runs great routes. He does it intermediate, he’s down the field. I think he’s gonna turn into a true No. 1, this offense is going to take even another big leap to . . . in Year 2 with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams.”
Notably, Harbor supported the idea of Burden breaking out this coming season, noting how effective he was once he got going last season.
Bears Second-Round Under Microscope Heading Into Training Camp
The Bears selected Jones after they acquired Garrett Bradbury in a trade with the New England Patriots this offseason. That entire process began when Pro Bowler Drew Dalman retired, leaving the Bears to alter their approach to the offseason.
There has already been some speculation that Jones could take over for Bradbury as the Bears’ starter in short order.
ESPN’s Ben Solak is keeping an eye on that position battle, and Jones in particular.
“The surprise retirement of center Drew Dalman, who had signed a top-of-market extension in 2025, left Chicago in a tricky spot this offseason,” Solak wrote on July 21. “Bradbury is not a permanent starter, however, so Chicago made Jones the first-drafted center, taking him in Round 2. Jones is cut from the Dalman cloth: not physically dominant but smart and quick on his feet.
“Of course, the Johnson offense is brutally complex, which could make asking a rookie center to manage protections and run adjustments right away a recipe for disaster. Jones will likely unseat Bradbury at some point in the season. How well he performs in training camp will be the first sign of just how ready he is.”
The Bears will not lack for sources of intrigue once they take to the practice field in training camp. From new faces to increased responsibilities, to position battles, Johnson and the Bears have plenty to sort through to end the summer.
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