The Chicago Bears’ biggest issue in training camp has not been injuries, learning new playbooks, or even the opponents they have faced in joint practices and the preseason. Their biggest issue is themselves, and left guard Joe Thuney knows they have to fix it and says they are working toward that goal.
Presnap penalties have plagued the Bears this preseason, and it has been an issue since the group first got together and began installing head coach Ben Johnson’s offense.
However, while the Bears know they must clean up those penalties, there is little concern.
Joe Thuney Directly Addresses Recurring Issue Plaguing Bears
Bears Represent New Situation for Joe Thuney
“It’s a process. We’re always working, always trying to get better pre-snap and cut those things out. And I think as a unit, we’re just trying to really play more mistake-free ball, but it’s just part of it,” Thuney told Clocker Sports on Wednesday.
“Just trying to improve as a group.”
The Bears sent a clear message that they were serious about upgrading their offensive line this offseason, acquiring Thuney in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs.
He won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs, hoisting the Lombardi in 2022 and 2023. Thuney won two other Super Bowls with the New England Patriots in 2016 and 2018, and he has three Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pro selections to his credit.
But the Bears are Thuney’s first time going through a new offense being installed.
He has rarely, if ever, been among the offenders, especially those who have been frequently on the wrong end of flags.
It matters not, though. Whoever is responsible for the false starts and delay of game penalties – and the Bears insist there have been myriad reasons for their errors – the entire group suffers, and that includes the defense.
A slow start by the offense, which the Bears had in their preseason finale, taxes the defense.
The Bears figure to have one of the most aggressive units in the league, which could help keep them in most games early.
However, the organization knows full well that a great defense without a good offense will end up below-average at best by the time a game is in the fourth quarter. That is why Johnson is in Chicago, and why they invested in Caleb Williams and his supporting cast.
That includes Thuney, who, like his Bears brethren, is cognizant of their issues but not worried.
Montez Sweat Gets Strong Co-Sign From Gervon Dexter Sr.
Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles have spoken highly of defensive end Montez Sweat, noting how strong of an offseason program and, even more, training camp the 2023 Pro Bowler has had this spring and summer.
Teammate and Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. echoed those sentiments when asked on Wednesday.
“I think I’ve seen that as well,” Dexter told media members after Wednesday’s practice. “I think, almost starting back to the offseason, just the way he prepared himself, and the way he trained, and he came in the same way. And so, I think we’ll have a good year together, and the whole D line will have a good year as well.”
Dexter, Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Grady Jarrett will also be critical for the Bears in 2025.
The Bears were middle of the pack in sacks in 2024, but they will need their front (and whatever blitzers defensive coordinator Dennis Allen sends) to close on opposing QBs quicker and more effectively in got-to-have-it situations.
Their issues corralling Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes in the preseason finale, while not uncommon, showed they still have plenty of room to grow in that department.
Between that and shoring up their run defense, Dexter and Co. must shine in 2025.
New Injury Concerns Bears
The Bears are still dealing with various injuries at multiple positions, including running back, where DJ Moore was once again utilized as an option, and at cornerback, where they await the return of Jaylon Johnson from his summer-long injury absence.
Wednesday reinforced old and introduced new concerns for the Bears.
Linebacker T.J. Edwards left Tuesday’s session with head trainer Andre Tucker, with defensive end Dominique Robinson leaving early as well. Neither player practiced on Wednesday.
Moreover, safety Jaquan Brisker left early with Tucker and was carted back to Halas Hall during Wednesday’s practice. Rookie linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II had already gone inside. No updates have been provided on any of those players.
Those should be provided when Ben Johnson next speaks.
That should be either Wednesday or, since they open the regular season on “Monday Night Football” against the Minnesota Vikings, on Thursday, when they open the week of practice.