Tag: bears training camp

Report: Bears will carry fewer than 90 players at training camp

NFL teams like the Bears will carry fewer than the usual 90 players at training camp, and it can be anywhere from 75 to 80.

Now that we’ve hit the month of July, the countdown is on for training camp later this month. The Chicago Bears and the rest of the league are slated to start training camp on July 28. But it’ll surely be different than any camp in the past.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, NFL teams like the Bears will carry fewer than the usual 90 players at training camp. While there’s no definitive number, Schefter says he’s heard everything from 75 to 80. But one thing’s clear: It’ll definitely not be 90 players.

Given the reports that the preseason has been cut in half — from four to two games — it makes sense as teams wouldn’t need as many players for training camp as normal.

But it’s certainly a blow to guys like the undrafted free agents looking to play their way onto the roster or the practice squad, which included impactful guys like defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris, cornerback Bryce Callahan and receiver Cameron Meredith in the past.

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Bears TE Cole Kmet ready to show everyone what he can do as a rookie

Cole Kmet has been praised by Matt Nagy for how quickly he’s grasped the playbook as a rookie, and Kmet feels confident heading into camp.

This offseason has been unlike any other in NFL history, where players and coaches have had to work from home through virtual meetings and independent workouts.

For rookies like Chicago’s top draft pick tight end Cole Kmet, it’s been difficult not to get that time during minicamps and organized team activities (OTAs) at Halas Hall to learn the offense.

And while this offseason has been completely virtual, Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has been organizing workouts with teammates in the Chicago area, where they’ve been working on routes, continuing to build that chemistry and staying in shape.

Kmet has been among a handful of players at these workouts, which have also included receiver Allen Robinson, running backs David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen, as well as fellow tight end Demetrius Harris.

Kmet appeared on a Facebook Live with former Bear Chris Zorich, where they discussed his journey navigating football and baseball from the high school level to his time at Notre Dame to being the Bears’ top draft pick this year.

The Bears’ second-round pick has been trying to keep in shape and learn the playbook as quickly as he can without the benefit of on-field practices at Halas Hall. He’s been praised by Matt Nagy for how quickly he’s grasped the playbook as a rookie, and Kmet feels confident heading into camp.

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“Just kind of working out with some of the guys in the area right now,” Kmet said. “Running routes and that type of stuff and kind of staying in shape that way. We’ve been putting in the work. I’m excited to get getting going on the field with these guys and show them what I can do as a rookie coming in. I’m just going to continue to study up on that playbook, and when camp rolls around, I’m going to be ready to go.”

They also discussed training camp, which is coming up next month. Kmet said the current report date is July 21, which figures to be for rookies. Rookies typically report a few days earlier than veterans, but with the lack of an on-field offseason, perhaps veterans will be allowed back, as well.

Obviously, all of this depends on what the NFL chooses to do. It’s a tentative schedule, but Kmet feels confident that it’s going to happen.

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There will be no Chicago Bears minicamp in 2020

The NFL sent a memo to teams announcing that mandatory in-person minicamps won’t take place.

The next time the Chicago Bears hit the field at Halas Hall it will be for training camp in late July.

Mandatory minicamps were scheduled to begin next week. But amid the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL has taken precautionary measures and told teams  that mandatory minicamps are no longer happening.

Here’s what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told teams:

Although under a traditional schedule, mandatory minicamps are scheduled to open next week, after discussion with the CEC, we have concluded that it would be prudent not to hold in-person minicamps under the current circumstances and have instead determined to extend the Virtual Period through and including June 26. We will continue working with the NFLPA to conclude the remaining protocols and finalize arrangements for the safe opening of training camps next month.

Bears coach Matt Nagy made the decision to end the team’s virtual offseason at the end of this week, which is a week and half earlier than what was initially scheduled.

The Bears don’t have any plans to return to Halas Hall ahead of training camp, which should be later next month.

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Bears players, staff likely won’t report to Halas Hall until July

Several NFL teams have already begun returning to team facilities, but Chicago is being cautious and will be virtual until further notice.

While several NFL teams have already begun returning to team facilities — with others scheduled to do so in the coming weeks — the Chicago Bears are being cautious.

The Bears continue to conduct virtual organized team activities (OTAs) amid the coronavirus pandemic, and that doesn’t sound like it’s going to change anytime soon.

According to Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer, the Bears likely won’t report to Halas Hall until they’re required to in late July.

Some coaches aren’t expected back in the office until the start of training camp—the Saints’ and Colts’ staffs are two under those conditions. The Bears and Lions are working remotely until further notice, and trending in the direction of not having a mandate until July. 

The NFL began allowing coaches to return to team facilities last Friday, but it sounds like the Bears are comfortable assuming coaching responsibilities from home for the time being.

At this point, minicamps aren’t likely to happen, which means that the first time the Bears reunite on the field will be for training camp in late July.

This year, training camp figures to be more meaningful given several position battles for starting spots, including the quarterback battle between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. Also up for grabs are starting jobs at cornerback, safety, right guard and receiver.

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Bears rookies could possibly report to Halas Hall before June 26

The next time the Bears will reunite in person will likely be training camp in late July. But certain players might get an earlier start.

Now that we’ve hit the dead month in the NFL offseason, the countdown is on for training camp when NFL teams will finally reunite on the football field after an entirely virtual offseason. But certain players might be able to get an earlier start than returning veterans.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the NFL and NFLPA are discussing possibly allowing certain players, including rookies and veterans who switched teams that need physicals, returning to team facilities on a limited basis before June 26.

Last week, the NFL allowed coaches to return to team facilities, and there are some that have already done so. But there’s no word on whether Matt Nagy and his coaching staff have returned to Halas Hall.

Obviously, you expect Nagy and his coaching staff to return before certain players would be permitted to, assuming this is something that the NFL and NFLPA come to an agreement on.

As Pelissero noted, it doesn’t appear that there will be minicamps, and the first time all players report to team facilities will likely be training camp in late July.

The NFL’s memo also discussed social distancing measures in the locker rooms, virtual meetings whenever possible, disinfecting equipment and the use of masks.

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Allen Robinson ‘not too concerned’ with safety measures to return to football

Bears WR Allen Robinson is confident in health and safety measures that will be used to ensure the protection of players, coaches and staff.

This NFL offseason has been unlike any other in the past. With the coronavirus pandemic, teams have been forced to hold their offseason programs virtually to comply with social distancing guidelines and ensure the safety of players, coaches and staff.

The NFL is aiming to conduct its 2020 regular-season as scheduled, which means teams are gearing up for a return to on-field workouts. It’s likely that Bears players won’t report to Halas Hall until training camp begins presumably in late July.

But when they do, there will be health and safety measures implemented to ensure the protection of players, coaches and staff. Bears receiver Allen Robinson is confident that those measures will help protect players.

“Honestly, me personally, I’m not too concerned,” Robinson said. “If we’re going to be put back in the facilities, measures will be taken. I think that a plan will be had. Enough research will be done to put everybody in the best situation.

“As everyone gets back to work, with a good plan, I think that everything will be fine. I’m not too worried about that.

“If I’m back in a locker room, back playing, my level of concern will be pretty low.”

The NFL informed teams on Tuesday that training camps must be conducted at their team facilities. The Bears were among several teams that held training camp outside their facility. But the Bears were already planning on moving training camp to Halas Hall this year, where players can utilize the state-of-the-art training facility and equipment to prepare for the season.

The league also informed teams that joint practices will not be happening this year. Chicago had intended to hold joint practices with the Broncos ahead of their second preseason game in Denver.

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Bears told they have to hold training camp at Halas Hall, which was the plan all along

The NFL has sent a memo to all teams that training camps must be held at their team facilities, which the Bears had already planned on.

The NFL has sent a memo to all teams that training camps must be held at their team facilities, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Which means that the Chicago Bears will be hosting their training camp at Halas Hall this summer.

But that was already the plan this year.

The Bears announced plans to move training camp practices from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais to their training facility at Halas Hall in Lake Forest back in January.

The decision to move training camp from Bourbonnais to Lake Forest was criticized among fans, who felt the team was taking away the fan aspect of camp. The team held camp at ONU for 18 years after practicing at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville from 1984-2001.

Bears beat writer Adam Jahns was told that fans will not be expected at training camp, which makes sense given the safety precautions being taken amid the coronavirus pandemic.

There are no shortage of storylines heading into training camp for the Bears, headlined by the quarterback battle between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. Fans will have to rely on media reports and preseason games to see for themselves how the quarterback competition is shaping up.

The Bears have been forced to conduct their offseason program virtually given the coronavirus pandemic. The team kicked off organized team activities (OTAs) on Monday.

With team facilities beginning to open back up, teams should be good to go for conducting training camp. The goal for the league remains for the 2020 NFL season to commence as usual.

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Bears’ 3 most exciting roster competitions heading into summer

There will be no shortage of roster competitions to watch on both offense and defense heading into training camp.

Despite having a roster that is loaded with talent, the Chicago Bears have several key positions that will have competitions for starting gigs. And while organized team activities will not be able to provide any opportunities for players to stand out, the NFL remains hopeful that training camps can go on as planned.

The Bears, on paper, figure to have one of the league’s best defenses. Names like Eddie Jackson, Khalil Mack, and Akiem Hicks headline Chuck Pagano’s defense, but there is one position in particular that will be intriguing to monitor.

Elsewhere on offense, the Bears will have several battles for roster spots, including quarterback, wide receiver and tight end.

Let’s take a look at the three most exciting roster competitions to watch heading into training camp.

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3 questions surrounding Bears heading into training camp

The Bears have plenty to prove following a disappointing year in what was supposed to be a title-contending season.

Heading into the 2020 season, the Chicago Bears have plenty to prove following a disappointing year in what was supposed to be a title-contending season.

There are plenty of questions surrounding the Bears heading into a currently-scheduled training camp — most of those questions coming on offense. But returning a top-five defense from a season ago, Chicago has the potential to take back the NFC North.

The Bears have bolstered their already-dominant defense with some offseason acquisitions, including pass rusher Robert Quinn, second-round cornerback Jaylon Johnson and strong safety Tashaun Gipson.

Chicago can’t continue to waste this championship-caliber defense — one that could potentially rival their 2018 unit. While there have been some key offensive additions, including quarterback Nick Foles, tight ends Jimmy Graham and Cole Kmet and offensive linemen Germain Ifedi and Jason Spriggs, this offense has a lot to prove in 2020.

The Bears offense was one of the worst in the NFL last season — for a plethora of reasons. All they need to do is be average for this team to make a playoff run. But that’s easier said than done with this team.

Let’s take a look at three questions facing the Bears heading into training camp.

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Twitter reacts to Bears leaving Bourbonnais for training camp

The Bears announced that they were moving training camp back to Halas Hall, which left many fans disappointed as it moves from Bourbonnais.

On Tuesday, the Chicago Bears announced that they would be moving their training camp back to Halas Hall for the foreseeable future. Halas Hall is home to a new state-of-the-art facility that will give the team access to everything it needs as it prepares for the 2020 season.

That marks the end of the “Bearbonnais” era for the team, which called Bourbonnais and Olivet Nazarene University their summer home for the last 18 years.

There were mixed reactions about the news, but most of it was disappointment at taking away a valuable fan experience that many people have embraced over the years.

Players practically rejoiced at the news.

Some fans were excited about the move.

Other fans didn’t have the same reaction. A majority were disappointed on missing out on the fan experience.

But Bourbonnais made it be known the Bears are always welcome.

The Bears will kick off training camp at Halas Hall in late July.

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