Chicago Bears defensive lineman Shemar Turner said he opted to walk to practice on Friday, rather than take a golf cart like most of his teammates and even coaches do. Instead, he wanted to walk so he could soak in the moment. He was heading into a “war zone.”
That is how Turner termed the reality check he experienced once he was finally on the field and going through drills with his new team and teammates.
Bears DL Shemar Turner Snapped Back to Reality in ‘War Zone’
Shemar Turner Embracing the Moment at Bears Rookie Minicamp
On draft night, Turner was emotional, finding it difficult to find the proper words to explain how he felt after hearing his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft.
“It’s a war zone in there, walk through or not,” Turner told Clocker Sports on Friday in the wake of his first practice after the Bears made him the No. 62 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. “So, shoot, you got to snap back and get back to football.”
The Bears’ on-field work can best be described as baseline testing.
Turner, his fellow draft pick, and other roster hopefuls all went through a typical stretching regimen before breaking off into positional work and then some pad-lead team exercises.
Turner said the Bears have told him to keep his weight below 300 pounds, a potential indicator they plan to take advantage of his inside-outside versatility. However, he says they can put him anywhere and he will “be successful.”
“Line me up anywhere, and we gonna get paid,” Turner said.
Bears DL Deep, Versatile
The Bears have 14 defensive linemen under contract, while Turner, who has yet to sign his rookie deal, could make seven players on the interior.
Turner can play inside. Fellow young DT Gervon Dexter Sr. can also line up outside. Veteran newcomer Grady Jarrett can play nose tackle or three-technique. Andrew Billings also does both.
The Bears’ edges offer similar versatility.
Dayo Odeyingo figures to operate similarly to former Bears vet DeMarcus Walker, who played EDGE on early downs and moved inside in obvious passing situations.
Top edge defender Montez Sweat can also play inside, though the Bears need him to get to the quarterback wherever he is. And second-year fifth-round pick Austin Booker can also kick inside in certain situations.
None of that accounts for the players further down the depth chart.
Players like Zacch Pickens, whose tenure could be in danger following Turner’s arrival in the draft this offseason.