Category: Latest Bears News

NFC North: Vikings, Justin Jefferson agree to terms on blockbuster extension

Justin Jefferson’s contract extension with the Vikings has reset the WR market.

The Chicago Bears are quite familiar with the Minnesota Vikings, so they’re always keeping an eye on their NFC North rivals. That also means they must contain their best players if they want to win, which includes Minnesota star receiver Justin Jefferson.

Not only is Jefferson one of the best players on the Vikings, but he is also one of the best in the NFL. He is right there as the best wide receiver in the league. Now, he’s finally being paid as such.

After months of trade and extension rumors, Jefferson has officially agreed to terms on a contract extension with the Vikings, which makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

It’s a four-year deal worth $140 million ($35 million per year) with $110 million guaranteed. It is a huge contract that will officially reset the market. Few players in the league deserve it more than Jefferson.

We’ve seen Minnesota develop some elite talent at the receiver position over the years but never keep them when it is time for them to get paid. Jefferson has now broken that mold.

He now has to be there to help develop rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, a first-round pick in 2024 after winning the National Championship with Michigan. He has a decently high ceiling but has a lot of work to do if he wants to become an impact player in the NFL. A receiver like Jefferson can help.

Overall, this was a great move made by both Jefferson and the Vikings. Staying loyal to each other is a nice story. As for the Bears, their defensive backs will prepare to face him for the foreseeable future.

Bears HC Matt Eberflus hails D’Andre Swift as ‘weapon back’

The Bears have no shortage of playmakers on offense, including RB D’Andre Swift, who Matt Eberflus will be key to the offense’s success.

The Chicago Bears have no shortage of playmakers on their roster, including one of the league’s best receiver trios featuring DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze.

But one of the more underrated playmakers on the roster is running back D’Andre Swift, who signed a three-year deal with Chicago this offseason.

Swift is coming off a career year with the Eagles, where he rushed for 1,049 yards with 4.6 yards per carry and five touchdowns. He also provided a threat as a pass catcher, hauling in 39 catches for 214 yards and a score. Swift earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2023.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus sang Swift’s praises as an all-around weapon out of the backfield.

“He’s very quick,” Eberflus said of Swift. “He’s a weapon out of the backfield, which is outstanding for our passing game, and it’s going to create some mismatches for us. He can do a lot of things from the backfield. He can split them out wide and run the full route tree. He’s exciting to watch.

“Just a weapon back. We really needed that guy that can really operate on third down and even on first and second down to be a weapon in the deep part of the field and the short part of the field and be able to take it the distance. He’s got a lot of gas.”

Swift will be the featured back in a running back group that also features Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, who have both shown an ability to be playmakers.

While the Bears have a plethora of receiving talent — between receivers Moore, Allen and Odunze and tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everertt — a productive run game will be key to the offense’s success. Having a dynamic running back like Swift, both as a runner and receiver, will also be benefical for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.

Bears believe Caleb Williams is ready for ‘Hard Knocks’ spotlight

The Bears are confident rookie QB Caleb Williams is prepared for the “Hard Knocks” spotlight this summer.

The Chicago Bears were chosen as the featured team on HBO’s hit “Hard Knocks,” which will chronicle their training camp and preseason heading into the 2024 season.

While “Hard Knocks” could be considerd a distraction — especially for a No. 1 pick quarterback like Caleb Williams — the Bears are confident that he’s ready for the spotlight given his experience at the collegiate level.

“I do think he’s suited for that because he’s comfortable in his own skin; he knows who he is,” said Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. “Again, he’s been out there for several years in terms of in the media, in the focus, the Heisman winner, all those things that he’s done. And he’ll be good.”

Williams is a big reason why Chicago was chosen as the featured team this summer, along with a young, ascending roster looking to make an impact this season.

Eberflus addressed his entire team about being the focus this summer, and it sounds like they’re ready for the spotlight.

“I think they were excited about it,” he said. “We have a good thing going here. We’ve got a good brotherhood, a good mindset.”

Bear Necessities: Recapping OTAs and ‘Hard Knocks’ selection

The Bears wrapped OTAs this week and were announced as the featured team on “Hard Knocks.” We recap that and other headlines.

This is our online morning newsletter, Bear Necessities — weekly offseason edition. Subscribe to get the latest Bears news delivered to your mailbox every day.

What’s the latest with the Chicago Bears?

The Bears wrapped organized team activities (OTAs) this week at Halas Hall, where rookies and veterans took to the practice field for the final three of six voluntary practices ahead of mandatory minicamp.

Here’s a look at the most recent and relevant Bears stories for the week of May 26.

OTAs

Hard Knocks

Other headlines

Bears’ front office make statements about being on Hard Knocks

The Chicago Bears front office released statements about being featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks this summer.

Earlier this week, the Chicago Bears were announced as the team that will be featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks. A couple of other teams will be featured in other variations of the show but the series that takes place during training camp and preseason is the big one. This is an exciting time for Chicago Bears fans.

Although fans may like it, there is usually some negativity surrounding it from players, coaches, and executives. It could add an element of distraction and the Bears have a rookie quarterback coming in who will try to turn this franchise into a winner with his play. They would like to make sure that his first NFL training camp goes well.

After learning of the news, we heard from team president and CEO Kevin Warren, GM Ryan Poles, and head coach Matt Eberflus via the Chicago Bears website. They all made positive comments about the series and the team being featured. Poles and Warren specifically, commented on the excitement about the experience with Hard Knocks, while Eberflus went right into how excited the team is to get going with this very important season.

Warren:

“Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears will provide our passionate fans across the world the ability to experience this unique and critical time in the history of our franchise.”

Poles:

“The 2024 training camp will be big for us in preparation for achieving our season goals and we look forward to bringing the fans at home along for the journey.”

Eberflus:

“Our players, coaches, and staff are excited to continue the process of building for the 2024 season.”

Noticeably absent from the statements was chairman George McCaskey, who has been against having the series for a long time. He and the Bears couldn’t escape it this year, though. Of the eligible teams who could be forced to do the program this year, which consisted of the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints, the Bears were the most compelling by far. McCaskey probably knows that but doesn’t like it.

The NFL is an entertainment business and the Bears will provide plenty of it. With many new players coming in, including two first-round talents, the team has a lot of intrigue. It is nice to hear a couple of Bears executives speak highly of it as they are confident that it will be a good thing for the franchise and the fans. 2024 is a big year for the Bears.

Bears rotating Ryan Bates, Coleman Shelton at center

Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton each saw reps as the first-team center during Bears OTAs.

There are no shortage of storylines surrounding the Chicago Bears this offseason. Whether it’s rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the receiving trio of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze or a potential top-10, ascending defense.

One of the more underrated storylines this offseason is the competition at center between newcomers Ryan Bates, acquired via trade, and Coleman Shelton, signed in free agency.

During these two weeks of organized team activities practices, Bates and Shelton each saw reps as the first-team center. Bates was the starting center last week while Shelton was the starter this week.

“We’ve been rotating some,” said Bears coach Matt Eberflus.

The Bears have been lacking consistency at the center position for a few years now, and it remains the biggest mark for the offensive line heading into the 2024 season.

Bates and Shelton both have experience at center, although Shelton was a two-year starter at center with the Los Angeles Rams and Bates had limited snaps at center with the Buffalo Bills.

This will be a position battle to watch throughout the offseason, especially heading into training camp. Chicago will like to have a starter in place as soon as possible with a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams under center.

Bears OTAs: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker among players absent for Friday’s practice

The Bears held their sixth and final OTA practice on Friday. Here are the players who were not present or did not practice.

The Chicago Bears wrapped up their sixth and final day of voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) on Friday. It was the second practice open to the media, giving those in attendance a chance to see how the team has improved from last week. As is the case for voluntary practices, though, there were a few notable players absent from Friday’s session—including much of the starting secondary.

Cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon and safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard were not present. Wide receiver Keenan Allen and defensive end Montez Sweat, who missed last Thursday’s practice, were also absent once again.

Meanwhile, guard Nate Davis, defensive end DeMarcus Walker, and linebacker TJ Edwards were at practice but did not participate. Guard Teven Jenkins did not participate in team drills, according to NBC Sports Chicago’s Josh Schrock.

With much of the starting secondary missing, the offense was able to capitalize with a strong practice. According to The Athletic’s Adam Jahns, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams completed 13 of 15 passes in 7-on-7 against the first-string defense. It was a strong day for the young signal caller, as he was able to bounce back from a rough outing last week.

As for why players like Johnson and Gordon were absent, head coach Matt Eberflus declined to go into specifics, but it is worth noting that Johnson has a charity outing for his foundation, “Kevvy’s Vision,” this weekend in California, per The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain. Eberflus expects everyone to be back next week, however, when mandatory minicamp gets underway. Those practices take place June 4–6.

Photos from Day 6 of Chicago Bears 2024 OTAs

The Bears conducted their sixth and final OTA practice on Thursday. Take a look at the action:

The Chicago Bears have wrapped organized team activities at Halas Hall.

Chicago conducted their sixth and final practice of OTAs on Thursday, which was open to the media and allowed another look at rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who had a strong outing against a secondary missing most of its starters.

Here’s a look at some photos from Thursday’s final voluntary practice ahead of mandatory minicamp next week:

NFC North: Justin Jefferson contract talks worth monitoring

The Vikings and Justin Jefferson can’t seem to get a new deal done, which is something worth monitoring in the NFC North.

The Chicago Bears play in a very interesting NFC North division. Right now, it is in the early running for the best (or second-best) division in the NFL. It went from being one of the worst to one of the best quickly.

Last season, the Bears finished with a 7-10 record, which wasn’t good enough but was the second-best among last-place teams in 2023.

One team in the division, however, might be taking a big hit soon. The Minnesota Vikings and Justin Jefferson can’t seem to agree on a new deal. There are plenty of other NFL contracts to base his on, but it’s hard when he has a claim as the best in the league. Jefferson can reset the market if he wants.

Whenever this happens, however, there is always the possibility of a trade. If Jefferson doesn’t get what he wants soon, he could request a trade that would send shockwaves around the NFL. The best receiver in the league potentially making a move is huge.

If the Vikings were to consider making a trade, they’d be getting a lot back in return. But nothing can replace a player like Jefferson. He’s truly sensational and will be paid like a player of that caliber. This is certainly a storyline for the Bears keep an eye on.

Chicago is looking to take a huge step forward in 2024. One key to that is improving in the division. While the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers are the leaders in the clubhouse, the Bears appear to be that third team. If Minnesota were to lose a player of Jefferson’s caliber, it would be a massive hit for a team that already lost quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason.

Bears WR Rome Odunze not a fan of having ‘Hard Knocks’ at Halas Hall

Before the Bears were selected for “Hard Knocks,” rookie Rome Odunze sounded off on potentially having cameras rolling at Halas Hall.

The Chicago Bears have officially been selected as the featured team on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this summer for the first time in franchise history.

The Bears were one of three teams who could be forced into doing the show — along with the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints — and it’s easy to see why Chicago was the chosen team.

It’s arguably the most exciting time for the franchise in decades as they usher in a new era with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, a top receiver trio (DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, rookie Rome Odunze) and a top-10 defense looking to improve on their strong finish to last season.

Before the Bears were selected as this year’s “Hard Knocks” team, I asked Odunze about his thoughts on the cameras potentially rolling on Chicago this summer. He admitted that, if it were up to him, he’d prefer not to have it as a distraction during his rookie season.

“I think for me, I’d definitely be more comfortable not having the ‘Hard Knocks’ in the building just because we’re all learning the new offense as rookies,” Odunze told Bears Wire earlier this month. “Caleb has a lot on his plate already, so learning the offense and growing within the facility and setting a foundation for ourselves. So it would be something that, if it happened, we’d take it and we would go forward with it and do it the best that we could. But I think it might be a little bit of a distraction for what we’re trying to accomplish.”

It doesn’t come as a surprise, considering most NFL players (and teams) would prefer to keep the cameras out of the facility as they prepare for the upcoming season. But it’s something that, as Odunze said, they’ll deal with and try to keep focused on their goals heading into the 2024 season.