Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles will meet the media on July 19, marking the official start of training camp (rookies reported on July 16). This offseason saw Poles and Co. continue a rebuild that began in 2022.
Their efforts have already yielded a defense that finished the 2023 campaign strong and looks to build upon that with another year of continuity. Offensively, the Bears? offseason has been all about Caleb Williams, from drafting him to making his transition as easy as possible. The Bears enter training camp with plenty of reasons for optimism.
However, several lingering questions loom as threats to undo all of the good vibes at Halas Hall.
Bear Downs: 4 Burning Training Camp Questions
How Ready is Caleb Williams?
The Bears chose to name Williams the starting quarterback during the spring, and they have not brought in any quarterbacks that should challenge him for that spot. Part of that is because he is, after all, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But his top backups ? incumbent Tyson Bagent and newcomer Brett Rypien ? are both 2-2 in their careers as starters.
The only other quarterback on the roster is undrafted rookie free agent Austin Reed.
The Bears will sink or swim with Williams, who enters the league with high expectations due to his pre-draft hype and draft slot.
Poles has loaded up the offense with playmakers at wide receiver, adding DJ Moore and Keenan Allen (and Rome Odunze) in back-to-back offseasons. Tight end Gerald Everett joins incumbent Cole Kmet as a receiving threat. The Bears also retooled the backfield, swapping out 2023 free agent D?Onta Foreman for 2024 pick-up D?Andre Swift.
Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson are also factors.
Chicago now has plenty of options in the passing game. But none of it will matter if Williams is unable to make it work from the outset. It is a daunting task, but one that he has openly accepted. This question will linger into the regular season.
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Which 5 Offensive Linemen will Star in Week 1?
Things get complicated for the Bears up front. Starting left tackle Braxton Jones was sidelined during mandatory minicamp. But he and right tackle Darnell Wright have the potential to be one of the better tackle duos in the league by year?s end.
Things get far more complicated at guard. Left guard Teven Jenkins has All-Pro talent. But he has struggled to stay on the field, missing at least four games in each of his three NFL seasons. Right guard is a question mark. Nate Davis was signed in 2023 to man the position.
But after dealing with a death in his family and injuries in his first tour in Chicago, Davis was absent during mandatory camp.
Head Coach Matt Eberflus left the door open for competition, which clouds their center spot. The Bears have backup guards Ja?Tyre Carter and Matt Pryor. But they also traded for Ryan Bates from the Buffalo Bills.
The Bears signed Coleman Shelton in free agency, so both players could be front-runners. Shelton started 30 games at center for the Los Angeles Rams between the 2022 and 2023 seasons, including 17 games in 2023.? Bates was a reserve in all 17 games in 2023. He did start 15 games at guard in 20222, though.
Who Starts Opposite Montez Sweat at DE?
The easy answer to this question is DeMarcus Walker. The more complicated answer might be that that player is not yet on the roster. Walker is up for the task. He was brought in to be a starter in 2023 and returned to that role after the Bears traded for Monetez Sweat and Yannick Ngakoue was lost for the season with an ankle injury.
Walker finished the year with 3.5 sacks, second behind Sweat (6.0) among returning Bears.
His ability to play both inside and out also makes him valuable in a sub role, especially with the lack of depth on the interior defensive line entering training camp.
The Bears like rookie sixth-round pick Austin Booker. But he is too undersized and raw to hold down a full-time role right out of the gate. The rest of the group is also unproven, perhaps setting the stage for a veteran addition before the season starts. There are several viable veterans on the free agency market.
If healthy, Ngakoue sits near the top of a list that also includes Emmanuel Ogbah, Carl Lawson, and Charles Harris.
Can the Defense Continue Its Upward Trend From 2023?
The last question feeds directly into this one. The Bears? secondary is still the strongest unit on the field with all five spots (including nickleback) filled by established or budding Pro Bowl-caliber talent. They replaced Eddie Jackson with Kevin Byard. But Jaylon Johnson, Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson all return to form a formidable back line.
Even the best secondaries can only cover so long, though.
They will need to get a strong pass rush. The Bears also need linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards to put forth repeat performances. The defense struggled in the early portion of 2023 despite positive energy entering the year.