Tag: bears otas

Bear Necessities: Recapping the second week of 2023 OTAs

In our weekly newsletter, we’re recapping the second week of Bears OTAs.

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What’s the latest with the Chicago Bears?

The Bears continued their second session of Organized Team Activities this week, which included three of the seven practices ahead of mandatory minicamp. One of those practices was open to the media, which gave us some storylines to digest.

Here’s a look at the most recent and relevant Bears stories for the week of May 28.

Bears not concerned about Nate Davis’ absence at OTAs

Bears HC Matt Eberflus isn’t concerned about Nate Davis’ absence given his experience in a similar system.

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The Chicago Bears have added a slew of new faces to the roster this offseason, including guard Nate Davis, who will help shore up an offensive line that struggled in pass protection last year.

Davis is one of just two players who chose to skip the first two weeks of OTAs. Safety Eddie Jackson and wide receiver Darnell Mooney are rehabbing from injuries while cornerback Jaylon Johnson has been absent due to personal reasons.

While Davis is new to the team, coach Matt Eberflus isn’t concerned about his absence given Davis’ experience in a similar system and his knowledge of zone schemes.

“We certainly feel a little bit more comfortable knowing he has been in the system and he knows the zone schemes and the down schemes and really similar in terms of the line coaching,” Eberflus said, via The Athletic. “Again, we’d like everybody here, we feel it’s invaluable to be here, we’ll coach the guys that are here.”

Davis is one of two new projected starters along the offensive line this season, alongside rookie tackle Darnell Wright. Cody Whitehair, who’s moving from left guard to center, thinks it’ll be a smooth transition for Davis in Chicago.

“I think he’ll be fine,” Whitehair said. “He’s a veteran guy. He’s played in this system for a long time, coming from Tennessee. A lot of the stuff is the same. Just seeing where he is in combinations and where I am, I don’t think it’ll be a very hard transition. It’ll be pretty smooth.”

There’s still one week left of voluntary OTAs, but Davis is expected to be present for mandatory minicamp on June 13.

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Bears HC Matt Eberflus: ‘We’re interested in a lot of free agents’

The Bears added a slew of new faces to their roster this offseason, but they might not be done just yet.

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The Chicago Bears added a slew of new faces to their roster this offseason, but they might not be done just yet.

Looking at where the roster stands two weeks into voluntary workouts, Chicago still has a need at edge rusher. When coach Matt Eberflus was asked about potentially adding to the position in free agency, he indicated that it’s an avenue the team is still exploring — and not just at edge rusher.

“We’re interested in a lot of free agents, we’re interested in a lot of guys at all positions right now,” Eberflus said Wednesday. “We’re just excited about being able to look at those guys and potentially add as we go through camp and getting closer to the season.”

While the Bears have made moves at a number of positions this offseason, the biggest concern remains at edge rusher. Chicago had the NFL’s worst pass rush last season, and there are still questions about who is bringing pressure off the edge in 2023.

Some veteran edge rushers still on the free-agent market include Yannick Ngakoue, Justin Houston, Frank Clark and former Bear Leonard Floyd.

General manager Ryan Poles previously hinted a couple of weeks ago that the team was exploring multiple avenues when it comes to adding a veteran pass rusher. So it’s certainly something to keep monitoring as this offseason progresses.

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Bears surprised Highland Park shooting survivor at OTAs

Here’s some wholesome Bears content to start your day.

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The Chicago Bears had a special surprise for a young boy who survived the Highland Park parade shooting last July.

On Wednesday, the Bears welcomed Cooper Roberts and his family to Halas Hall to take in a practice. Cooper was paralyzed from the waist down after being shot in the back in the Highland Park shooting last summer. He was eight years old at the time.

Head coach Matt Eberflus, general manager Ryan Poles and several players, including quarterback Justin Fields, presented Cooper with a beach-accessible wheelchair.

“This young man Cooper loves the beach, and we gave him a beach buggy to get around in there,” Eberflus said.

Cooper’s mother, Keely Roberts, was incredibly grateful for the gesture that will go a long way for her son.

“I feel like I am a really hard person to surprise,” said Cooper’s mother, Keely, via ChicagoBears.com. “But I did not see that coming. I had no idea. That was a huge surprise. It’s been a huge need.

“It was such an unbelievably not just generous but really thoughtful gesture, and I think that’s probably why it was so emotional for us. It wasn’t just about them giving Cooper and our family this huge gift, it was about a gift so meaningful and so thoughtful for Cooper.

“He loves to swim; it’s something he enjoys. He loves to just be at the beach. It’s a passion of his. Getting to the beach, getting down into the sand, it’s impossible to do in his regular wheelchair. It’s absolutely impossible. It’s one of those things that as a family we never would have been able to really help Cooper with without the use of a beach wheelchair.”

After Wednesday’s practice, dozens of players met with Cooper and his twin brother, Luke.

“(Cooper) left there today believing that the Bears players are his friends,” Keely said. “He believes that, and that means something to him, it means something to all of us. Cooper is bolstered by that … It means a lot to me that the players took the time, especially after practice on such a warm day. They didn’t just begrudgingly show up. None of them had to do that. They were so engaged and so kind and so loving towards our boys and showed them such support. It meant the world to us.”

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Bears DC Alan Williams impressed with Justin Fields’ growth

Alan Williams might not be a QB guru, but just two weeks into OTAs, he’s noticed growth from Justin Fields.

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All eyes are on Bears quarterback Justin Fields heading into a pivotal third season, where many expect him to take a significant leap in his development.

After emerging as the NFL’s most dangerous running quarterback — to the tune of 1,143 rushing yards — Fields needs to improve as a passer heading into the 2023 season. Luckily, Chicago has improved his supporting cast — including adding wideout DJ Moore — and offensive line.

Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams has watched Fields for two years now, and he’s noticed improvement from the third-year quarterback. Williams has been impressed with Fields’ growth from last year to now, both from a technical and leadership standpoint.

“A couple things,” Williams said Wednesday. “Leadership. Because that’s what you want in your quarterback. I see good decision-making. That’s what you want in your quarterback. I see improved accuracy. That’s what you want in your quarterback. And how fast he’s processing. That’s also the, in my mind, what you want in your quarterback.

“So from Day 1 last year to right now? From my standpoint, and I’m not a quarterback guru whatsoever, but I see how he has grown from last year to this year, and practice by practice by practice, he’s growing. So you have to be encouraged when you see those things.”

Fields emerged as one of the NFL’s most electric players last season with his elite running ability. If he can unlock his passing ability, he’s going to be even more difficult to contain.

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WATCH: Justin Fields and D.J. Moore connect with impressive touchdown at Bears OTAs

The connection between Justin Fields and D.J. Moore continues to get better and better.

The connection between Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields and wide receiver D.J. Moore continues to get better and better.

The duo provided an impressive highlight during Wednesday’s organized team activities (OTAs) that will likely be a preview of what’s to come this fall.

During team drills, Fields dropped back and delivered a perfect pass across the middle to Moore, who was double-covered by cornerback Kyler Gordon and linebacker T.J. Edwards. The pass was just beyond Gordon to hit Moore right in the hands to score a touchdown in the end zone.

While the team has yet to practice in pads, let alone play in a game, the chemistry between Fields and Moore on the field has been evident since offseason programs began. Players, coaches, and reporters have all commented on their connection after seeing the two up close.

Moore was acquired from the Carolina Panthers in March in a trade surrounding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The 26-year old receiver has 5,201 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns in his career and is the new unquestioned WR1 for the Bears.

Wednesday’s practice highlight should be a preview of what’s to come when the regular season begins and it already has fans salivating over the potential these two players have.

Bears OTAs: Notes, videos, highlights from Day 5

The Bears conducted their fifth practice of OTAs on Wednesday. Here are notes, highlights and press conferences from Day 5.

The Chicago Bears continued organized team activities (OTAs) this week at Halas Hall. That included the second open session during Wednesday’s practice, where the media got another glimpse of the offseason action.

There was plenty to take away from the second open practice of voluntary OTAs, including some standout rookies, attendance updates, Cody Whitehair’s transition back to center and how cornerback Jaylon Johnson is staying involved despite skipping OTAs.

Here’s a recap of what went down on Day 5 of OTAs, featuring notes, highlights and press conferences from Wednesday:

Full list of Bears players not participating in Week 2 of OTAs

Here’s a look at which players not in attendance, or not practicing, in the second week of OTAs.

The Chicago Bears were back at Halas Hall for the second week of organized team activities (OTAs), which included an open practice to the media.

There were some notable players who were absent for the second consecutive week, including some who are recovering from injuries suffered last season. But it’s important to note that these are voluntary workouts, ahead of mandatory minicamp in mid-June.

“We would love all our guys to be out there,” said defensive coordinator Alan Williams. “But the way football is right now it is optional and I want the guys to be out there because I do feel that we bring value. I think we have the best coaching staff in the world, the best training staff, the best strength and conditioning staff. We have the best dietician. I think we have the best of everything here.

“So I want guys to be here. But it is voluntary. So with that in mind, any of the players, it’s they have to make a choice of whether they’re here or not. And I love the guys that we … I love all my guys. The guys who are here? We’re going to coach them up and teach them. And be the best that we can be.”

Here’s a look at which players didn’t participate, or were limited, in the second week of OTAs, according to the media in attendance on Wednesday:

Bears CB Jaylon Johnson will be back at OTAs next week, explains absence

Jaylon Johnson says he will ‘for sure’ be at Bears OTAs next week.

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Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has missed the first two weeks of organized team activities (OTAs), which has been the talk of the offseason program.

There have been questions about whether Johnson will be in attendance for mandatory minicamp, and Johnson cleared that up during an appearance on ESPN’s Keyshawn, JWill & Max.

Johnson said he will “for sure” be at OTAs next week ahead of mandatory minicamp the following week.

There’s been plenty of speculation about why Johnson has skipped OTAs, including related to a potential contract extension, but Johnson explained it was due to personal reasons.

“I know I had a lot of things off the field going on,” he said, noting he’s been spending time with his young daughter back in Fresno, Calif. He’s also been working on fundraisers for his non-profit, Kevvys Vision Project, in honor of his friend, Kev’Vion Schrubb, who was killed by gun violence back in 2021.

While Johnson hasn’t physically been at practice, he’s been staying involved virtually. Defensive passing game coordinator Jon Hoke said that Johnson has been participating in meetings via Zoom and watches practice film. He also texts questions on a regular basis to Hoke.

Johnson will rejoin his teammates next week at Halas Hall for the final four OTA practices before mandatory minicamp runs June 13-15.

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Bears RB Khalil Herbert working to fix his biggest weakness

Pass blocking has been an area of concern for Khalil Herbert since he became a Bear. But he’s working to fix that this offseason.

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Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert is superb when it comes to carrying the ball. Despite only appearing in 13 games last season and playing second fiddle to David Montgomery, Herbert rushed for 731 yards and four touchdowns on just 129 carries. He’s a threat to break off a big run anytime he touches the ball.

When he’s not getting the ball and is asked to protect the quarterback instead, he’s been a liability. But with a new opportunity in front of him, that’s something Herbert is looking to fix this offseason.

Herbert spoke with reporters on Wednesday during the Bears’ organized team activities (OTAs) and discussed how he’s looking to elevate his game. In a question posed by the Chicago Sun Times’ Mark Potash, Herbert revealed he has been training this offseason to specifically improve his pass blocking and how that factors into winning the starting running back job. “You got to be an every-down back so that’s a big part of it,” Herbert said. “That’s something I’ve worked on throughout this offseason. I don’t know compared to the other guys but that’s something that I’ve been working on to fix.”

The third-year running back detailed his training methods to improve in that area, which focused on boxing. “Punching bags, boxing, I did boxing this offseason just to work on my punch timing. Different things like that.”

Since coming into the league, Herbert has rotated with Montgomery in the backfield, but also saw limited opportunities due to those deficiencies. With Montgomery now gone and veterans D’Onta Foreman and Travis Homer, along with rookie Roschon Johnson in the mix, Herbert has a chance to take control of the top running back spot. To do that, though, he needs to show his blocking is improved.

The Bears struggled mightily to contain pressure in 2022, surrendering 58 sacks in total, third-most in the league. While he wasn’t the main culprit, Herbert’s struggles with pass blocking played a role in some of those sacks.

His issues didn’t end on offense though. Herbert also had problems blocking on special teams with his worst moment coming against the Miami Dolphins when he missed a defender that led to a blocked punt and a touchdown.

There’s no denying Herbert’s skills as a runner after what he has shown since coming into the league. But to take that next step and become an every-down back, his blocking needs to improve. The fact it’s been a focus of Herbert’s offseason workouts is encouraging for his development.