Tag: Bears minicamp

Projecting the Bears’ 2023 starting defense after mandatory minicamp

The Bears wrapped mandatory minicamp last week, and we’re predicting what Chicago’s starting defense will look like in 2023.

The Chicago Bears have wrapped their offseason program with the conclusion of their three-day mandatory minicamp, which has started to make things both clear and uncertain with this roster ahead of training camp.

The Bears’ defense should improve greatly this season following some impressive additions, including linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, defensive tackles Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.

We’re still some time away before the team releases their first unofficial depth chart. But following mandatory minicamp, the starting offense has already taken shape.

Following the conclusion of the offseason program, we’re predicting what Chicago’s starting defense will look like in 2023.

WATCH: Highlights from Bears’ 2023 offseason featuring Justin Fields, DJ Moore

Now that the Bears offseason program is in the books, take a look at some official highlights.

The Chicago Bears wrapped their offseason program with the three-day mandatory minicamp last week.

It was certainly an eventful offseason between rookie minicamp, organized team activities and veteran minicamp, which featured a slew of storylines ahead of training camp next month.

While we’ve been enjoying some quick highlights during the offseason, the Bears social media team shared some practice content now that the offseason program is in the books.

Take a look at some highlights from Chicago’s offseason, including plenty of Justin Fields and DJ Moore connections and the defense making plays.

Following a six-week summer break, the Bears will return to Halas Hall on July 25 for training camp.

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10 things we learned about the Bears this offseason

With Bears mandatory minicamp in the books, here’s what we learned after Chicago’s offseason program.

The Chicago Bears concluded their offseason program with their three-day mandatory minicamp. Now, they have a six-week summer break before returning to Halas Hall for training camp in late July.

There were no shortage of storylines during the offseason program, which included the growing connection between Justin Fields and DJ Moore, a new swagger and some standout rookies who flashed.

When looking at everything that transpired during the offseason program — between rookie minicamp, organized team activities and mandatory minicamp – there are plenty of storylines to monitor heading into training camp.

Here are 10 things we learned about the Bears this offseason:

Matt Eberflus believes Bears passing attack is ‘on track’ after offseason

Matt Eberflus believes the Bears’ passing game is “on track” ahead of the 2023 season, although there’s still work to be done.

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The Bears’ passing game has been a focal point during the offseason program, which comes after Chicago had the league’s worst passing attack in 2022. They averaged 130.5 yards per game, which was far and away the least in the NFL.

Now, the Bears have upgraded their receiving corps, including acquiring DJ Moore to help quarterback Justin Fields take the next step. In addition to Moore, they’ve also added rookie Tyler Scott and tight end Robert Tonyan to join the likes of Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool.

With the offseason program in the books, head coach Matt Eberflus believes the passing game is “on track” ahead of the 2023 season, although it’s still a work in progress.

“I think we’re on track,” Eberflus said. “I really do. I really feel good where we are. We have spent a lot of time and attention on that as well, and we’re going to continue doing that during training camp. To me that’s great to have those 7 on 7s, where you can work on the rhythm, the timing of it, work on your pass coverage as well, and we’re going to continue to do that. Like you guys said yesterday, we have guys that weren’t in there, Claypool, Mooney, different guys that weren’t in there that we’re going to have to catch up on that. So we’re going to continue to do that.”

While Mooney and Claypool have been sidelined with injuries, it’s the connection between Fields and Moore that’s been the talk during the offseason program. Moore will be key to the success of the passing game, finally giving Fields a No. 1 receiver to rely on.

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Best photos from Chicago Bears’ 2023 offseason

The Bears concluded their offseason program last week at Halas Hall. From rookie minicamp to veteran minicamp, here’s a look at the action:

The Chicago Bears concluded their offseason program with mandatory minicamp last week at Halas Hall, ahead of training camp in late July.

As the Bears head into their summer break, here’s a look at the best photos from their 2023 offseason program — from rookie minicamp to OTAs to mandatory minicamp.

Bears’ Justin Fields says chemistry with DJ Moore came on ‘quickly’

Justin Fields and DJ Moore have been the talk of the Bears’ offseason program as their chemistry has flourished.

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Justin Fields and DJ Moore have been the talk of the Chicago Bears’ offseason program as their chemistry has flourished.

Throughout OTAs and minicamp, Fields and Moore have made impressive plays on a daily basis that indicate the Bears could have something special on their hands.

Teammates have pointed out how quickly they’ve developed that chemistry, and Fields agreed.

“It did come on quickly,” Fields said. “I didn’t really expect anything because it’s different for each guy, but I feel like with DJ, his body language is pretty easy to read. Early on we communicated on how we want each route ran and stuff like that. Of course, he has a lot of experience.

“He’s been in the league for a good period of time now. He’s played a lot of football, so he knows different coverages really well. That’s one thing that I was kind of impressed about with the offense coming in and just understanding, seeing coverages really well on short routes and stuff like that. He’s been great. And you know, the chemistry has really picked up.”

Chicago had the league’s worst passing attack in 2022, averaging 130.5 yards per game. Now, the Bears have upgraded their receiving corps. In addition to Moore, they’ve also added rookie Tyler Scott and tight end Robert Tonyan.

Moore gives Fields a legitimate No. 1 receiver that he’s lacked. When you look at how other young quarterbacks have excelled with a top wideout, the expectation is Fields will take that step forward in the passing game and prove to be the franchise quarterback Chicago has been waiting for.

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Bear Necessities: Recapping 2023 mandatory minicamp

In our weekly newsletter, we’re recapping Bears mandatory minicamp.

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

What’s the latest with the Chicago Bears?

The Bears wrapped their offseason program with mandatory minicamp last week, which included three practices open to the media. There was plenty to digest from the final set of practices ahead of training camp in late July.

Here’s a look at the most recent and relevant Bears stories for the week of June 11.

They Said It: Best sound bites from Bears minicamp

The Bears wrapped mandatory minicamp. Here’s a look back at some of the best quotes from the three days of practices.

The Chicago Bears wrapped their offseason program with the conclusion of their three-day minicamp earlier this week. Now, they have a six-week break before returning to Halas Hall for training camp on July 25.

There were plenty of storylines that unfolded during Chicago’s mandatory minicamp, including the emergence of the Justin Fields-DJ Moore connection, impact rookies, receivers Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool sidelined with injuries and a new swagger for this team in 2023.

From Justin Fields to Matt Eberflus to Justin Jones, here’s a look at the best quotes from Bears mandatory minicamp earlier this week.

Bears have new swagger heading into 2023 season

The Bears only won 3 games last season, but they slammed a door on 2022. “This is the 2023 Chicago Bears. We got a whole new identity.”

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The Chicago Bears only won three games last season, but there’s plenty of optimism surrounding this team heading into 2023. And that starts with the mindset inside the locker room.

One thing that’s been evident this offseason is that there’s a new swagger about this 2023 Bears squad, which is confident, passionate and ready to prove doubters wrong.

“The energy is just so intense out there right now,” safety Eddie Jackson said. “When you get a bunch of guys like that, you’re going to create something special. … The type of guys we have in the locker room, real leaders, guys who really care about football.”

The Bears have some new veteran faces on the roster, including defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker, who have contributed to the culture.

When asked about his awareness of the team’s struggles last season, which included losing their final 10 games, Walker slammed a door on 2022.

“This is the 2023 Chicago Bears,” he said. “We got a whole new identity, whole new offense, whole new defense, whole new group of guys. Honestly, f–k that s–t.”

Not only do the Bears have a new-look roster, but the NFC North is wide open and ripe for the taking following Aaron Rodgers’ departure to the New York Jets. New tight end Robert Tonyan likes the Bears’ chances in the divison.

“I love where we are at,” he said. “Overlooked, underrated. Whatever you want to call it. They still have to step on the field and beat us.”

The Bears will have to prove it on the field when the season kicks off Sept. 10. But if last season is any indication — where Matt Eberflus kept his team competitive in most games despite having arguably the league’s worst roster — Chicago could go from worst to first.

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Bears’ 90-man roster following 2023 minicamp

With mandatory minicamp in the books, here’s a look at where the Bears’ roster stands heading into the summer break.

The Chicago Bears wrapped their offseason program this week with mandatory minicamp, and they’ll break for six weeks before training camp kicks off.

General manager Ryan Poles overhauled the roster this offseason, including the additions of wide receiver DJ Moore, linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, offensive linemen Darnell Wright and Nate Davis and tight end Robert Tonyan.

But with a need at edge rusher, Chicago might not be done adding players this summer.

“Yeah, I think they’re always looking for all positions,” said coach Matt Eberflus. “You know I think that is one position we are looking at and potentially we could get that done.”

Here’s an updated look at where the Bears’ 90-man roster stands, by jersey number, following the conclusion of mandatory minicamp.