The Chicago Bears suited up in pads for the first time this training camp, and it felt like Christmas morning for many Bears fans. Even with training camp closed to the public with COVID-19 concerns.
But with the media in attendance, there were real reports from practice that just made it feel like football is back.
The Bears release some highlights from the first day of padded practice, which includes a look at some new and returning faces, as well as both quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles throwing to skill players against Chicago’s defense.
Some of the highlights from the first day included receiver Cordarrelle Patterson working with the running backs, which certainly feels like a good fit for one of the NFL’s most explosive playmakers.
Speaking of playmakers, the Bears have a big one to replace on defense with the loss of nose tackle Eddie Goldman, who opted out of the 2020 season due to health and safety concerns with COVID-19. Which means the Bears have to do the very difficult job of finding his replacement. It’s looking like that could be third-year defensive tackle Bilal Nichols, who played nose tackle on Monday and reportedly wreaked havoc on Chicago’s offensive line alongside Akiem Hicks.
Cornerback Artie Burns surprised as he appeared with the first-team defense. While many had rookie Jaylon Johnson pegged as the presumptive starter, he was never going to be handed the job. But it was a shock to see Burns get the nod over Kevin Toliver, who worked with the second team. Although the shuffling at cornerback will surely continue through camp.
And, of course, the quarterback competition officially got underway with the start of padded practices as Trubisky and Foles split reps with the first team. The reports from practice weren’t encouraging, as Trubisky and Foles both had their share of struggles. But it’s only Day 1, after all. If this is still an issue on Day 12 of padded practices, then we can start to worry.
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