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The Bears have a number of position battles developing in training camp, but wide receiver might just be the most wide-open of the bunch.
Outside of Darnell Mooney, the wide receiver depth chart is up for grabs. While Byron Pringle and rookie Velus Jones Jr. were players everyone expects big things from, there are some other wideouts who have made strong impressions. That includes veterans Equanimeous St. Brown, N’Keal Harry and Dazz Newsome.
So far, the competition is bringing out the best in everyone.
“These guys have bought into the right mindset, and the competition brings out the best in all those guys,” said offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. “You’ve seen these guys working their butts off and pushing themselves and buying into the philosophy of the style of play that we’re going to play. That mindset and getting nasty and getting physical is a big part of it. I’ve been very impressed with these guys getting after it that way. The competition part of it, I love every bit of it because it makes all of us better.”
There hasn’t really been one player who’s been dominating the headlines, outside of Mooney. They’ve all really had their moments.
“Everyone’s kind of had a day here and there,” Getsy said. “It’s been fun. Velus the other day did a lot of cool things for us. ‘EQ’ has been doing a really nice job. Byron, all the guys. I’ve been really impressed with the way these guys have attacked the day. We’re not good enough at any of those positions, including Mooney, so we’ve got a lot of work to do there. But I’ve been really impressed with their approach.
“We put a lot on these guys. N’Keal’s come in here and he’s done a great job of us being able to move him in different positions and put him in different spots. And so now with the pads on, they’ve got to go in and get dirty. It’s part of our offense that receivers have got to get dirty. These guys have shown they’re willing to do it.”
We’re just eight practices into training camp, and there are still three preseason games for these wideouts to show what they’ve got. But so far, the competition is bringing out the best in everyone.
- The Bears returned to Halas Hall for their eighth practice of training camp. Here’s what we learned from the third padded practice of the summer.
- Here’s a list of players who we believe had a great practice on Friday.
- In case you missed it, here’s a look at a play-by-play recap of the third padded practice of the summer.
- Teven Jenkins missed his seventh straight practice of training camp. But Luke Getsy said Jenkins is still in the mix to start at left or right tackle.
- Following the first week of training camp, we predicted what Chicago’s starting lineup will look like in 2022.
- The Bears signed cornerback Davontae Harris and defensive lineman Trevon Coley on Friday.
- Aaron Rodgers, Matt LaFleur thrilled with A.J. Dillon’s development in passing game. READ MORE ON PACKERS WIRE.
- Ndamukong Suh reportedly not “remotely close” to deal with Vikings. READ MORE ON VIKINGS WIRE.
- Dan Campbell still hasn’t decided who will call the Lions offensive plays. READ MORE ON LIONS WIRE.