Scores, fixtures and picks
These fixtures are connected to teams or competitions named in the article. Live status and scores come from the normalized SportyPulses data feed; predictions are reader picks, not betting advice.
When the Chicago Bears report to Halas Hall for the 2026 training camp, the temperature of the room will be set immediately by second-year head coach Ben Johnson. Coming off an 11-6 season that delivered an NFC North title and the franchise's first playoff victory since 2010, the program has graduated from cautious optimism to demanding consistency. Spring workouts served merely as an introduction; late July and August carry the heavy lifting of determining futures for players coming off surgeries, those facing contract years, and newcomers trying to carve out roles.
Johnson has made it clear that spring installation was about communication and conceptual learning, not locked-in depth charts. The evaluation begins in earnest now, backed by the kind of physical, padded practices that have become a hallmark of his coaching philosophy. With several key units facing high-leverage roster decisions, the competition across the depth chart is sharper than it has been in years.
The Left Tackle Crossroads
For the second consecutive summer, the left tackle position is up for grabs. With Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss the bulk of the 2026 campaign after suffering a patellar tendon rupture during the wild-card playoffs, the Bears are leaning on veteran Braxton Jones to defend his territory. Jones enters camp on a one-year deal, having navigated a difficult 2025 season hampered by ankle surgery that led to a brief benching in Week 4.
Analysis indicates that this remains Jones' job to lose given his 44 career starts, but the margin for error is razor-thin. He faces direct competition from Jedrick Wills Jr. and Theo Benedet. For Jones, a strong camp is not just about securing a starting role for 2026; it is about forcing the front office into a difficult personnel decision once Trapilo returns to health.
Secondary Scramble and Availability Questions
The cornerback room presents a multi-layered puzzle under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Tyrique Stevenson is once again locked in a battle for the boundary role opposite Jaylon Johnson, pushed heavily by fourth-round rookie Malik Muhammad. Cornerback coach Al Harris noted a distinct shift in Stevenson's focus entering a crucial contract year, especially with the defense needing to replace a league-high 33 takeaways lost in free agency.
Conversely, nickel corner Kyler Gordon enters training camp under a microscope despite being under contract through 2028. After signing a three-year, $40 million extension in April 2025, Gordon appeared in only five games last season due to a cascade of soft tissue injuries—injuries that also erased his participation in the spring program. Coach Johnson acknowledged the friction created by unavailability, noting that trust on the coaching staff and in the locker room is built strictly through being on the field.
Chasing a Pass Rush
Defensive depth remains a talking point following a 2025 campaign where Chicago ranked 31st in pass-rush win rate (29%) and 29th in pressure percentage (28%). The front office opted against adding a marquee name early in the offseason, placing considerable faith in Dayo Odeyingbo, who signed a three-year, $48 million deal ($32 million guaranteed) before a torn Achilles cut his debut season short at eight games.
Odeyingbo's participation in minicamp was labeled a bonus by the coaching staff. His training camp performance—battling against surging second-year edge Austin Booker and Shemar Turner—will dictate whether the front office stands pat or is forced to circle back to remaining free agents like Jadeveon Clowney, Von Miller, or Joey Bosa.
Wide Receiver Evolution
With DJ Moore out of the picture, Rome Odunze steps into a primary target role under quarterback Caleb Williams. Odunze led the team with 90 targets and six touchdowns in 2025 despite missing time due to a foot stress fracture. However, his offseason revelation regarding a "new normal"—structural changes in his foot due to bone healing and calluses—means his explosiveness will be monitored closely. With second-year standout Luther Burden III making waves and newcomers like Kalif Raymond and Zavion Thomas pushing for snaps, the wide receiver room is set for high-velocity competition.
Sources
These sources formed the evidence pack for this article. Links open the original publisher; inclusion does not imply endorsement.
- Courtney Cronin original
- Ryan Collingwood original
- si.com original
- bearswire.usatoday.com original
- Michal Dwojak original
