Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson was blunt in his assessment of the team’s effort in their 10th practice of 2025 training camp. It was “sloppy,” with players making the same mistakes multiple times, a pet peeve of the current coaching staff. But all was not lost.
A day that started slow amid “nervous energy,” per tight end Cole Kmet, ended with several touchdowns in what can kindly be described as a good day for the defense.
Caleb Williams, Bears ‘Sloppy’ in 10th Training Camp Practice
Bears QB Caleb Williams Incurs Multiple Penalties
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was called for multiple delay of game penalties on the day, including two on the opening team period. Johnson could also be seen talking to his young quarterback after running back D’Andre Swift was stuffed for a safety.
That was the first play of a possession that began with the starters snapping the ball from their goal line, but Johnson was disappointed in how the short-lived sequence played out.
Williams had possessions with nice connections to DJ Moore as well as Swift.
However, he struggled to find a rhythm behind leaky protection and even put the ball in harm’s way, heaving the ball into double coverage between corner Nick McCloud and safety Elijah Hicks while under duress. The ball fell harmlessly to the ground thanks to a breakup by Rome Odunze.
But if Williams is going to face pressure regularly – which is another potential issue altogether – then he must be smarter with the ball.
He did find Colston Loveland for another score and led “drives” with Moore and Kyle Monangai scoring.
It was a shaky effort overall, though, and comes as the Bears treated the practice like a preseason game, according to Johnson, complete with an overnight stay in the city to simulate their plans for the real exhibition slate opener against the Miami Dolphins on August 10.
Montez Sweat, Bears’ Defensive Front Dominate OL Early
Defensive end and third-year Bear Montez Sweat has been extremely visible this offseason, and that continued during Family Fest. He “recorded sacks,” (tackling QBs is off-limits in practice settings), stuffed run plays, and got support from his teammates.
Third-year defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. recorded the sack.
Kevin Byard and Grady Jarrett disrupted other offensive opportunities. And Sweat’s fellow defensive end, newcomer Tanoh Kpassagnon, also logged a “sack” on the day. Terell Smith intercepted backup QB Tyson Bagent
For the Bears, who have also seen their secondary take advantage of an offense still finding its way early in training camp, their performances to this point raise a similar question as what they have faced for years.
Is the defense as good as it seems, or is the Bears’ offense, particularly up front, in trouble?
The answer may very well be both. But the Bears will only go as far as their offense can take them, even if the defense finishes among the best in 2025.
After they revamped their interior offensive line during the offseason, the Bears have rotated three players at left tackle with the starters. Perhaps once they solidify a clearer pecking order, the group can provide the cleaner pocket Johnson has said he wanted to see at times.
Rookie second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo again got the first reps at left tackle.
However, he did not look discernibly better than Braxton Jones, which is not necessarily an endorsement of the fourth-year tackle.
The third contender, Kiran Amegadjie, did not participate for the second straight day due to a leg injury. Bears starting right guard Jonah Jackson returned after a multi-session absence, too. Williams absorbed a league-high 68 sacks in 2024.
Rookie Spotlight
The Bears selected Monangai in the seventh round of the 2025 draft. He is moving up the ranks of the trusted playmakers in the offense, according to Johnson. Monangai has seen increased reps with the starters in camp, and that continued on Sunday.
The former Rutgers Scarlet Knights star crossed the goal line twice.
He scored once with Williams at the helm and then again on a short handoff from backup quarterback Case Keenum.
Swift remains the Bears’ starting RB. Moreover, 2023 fourth-round pick Roschon Johnson remains a factor after proving effective in a short-yardage role. Still, Johnson, who had a fumble on Sunday, could see Monangai eat into his workload in 2025.
Even less heralded than Monangai is undrafted rookie wideout JP Richardson.
Richardson has displayed solid hands and body control since rookie minicamp. He made a strong grab in tight coverage to score on a pass from backup QB Tyson Bagent on Sunday.