Five Takeaways – Page 3 – Syndication Server

5 takeaways from Chicago Bears’ first padded practice

From the photos and videos to post-practice interviews, there was quite a bit to unpack from the Bears’ first padded practice on Monday.

Monday’s training camp practice for the Chicago Bears truly felt like football had finally returned. While the team had been practicing at Halas Hall over the last couple of weeks, this practice session was the first one in pads and the first time the local media was allowed inside.

From the photos and videos taken by reporters, to the post-practice interviews provided by head coach Matt Nagy and select players, there was quite a bit to unpack from Monday’s practice. Here are my five takeaways.

1. The Bears are finally figuring out how to utilize Cordarrelle Patterson

Ever since he came into the league seven years ago, All-Pro kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson has shown how dangerous he can be on special teams. But like other key specialists, he never truly found a home on an NFL offense despite being drafted as a wide receiver. Now in his second year as a Bear after signing as a free agent last offseason, he may finally have found one.

Patterson spent practice primarily with the running backs, taking handoffs and catching screens out of the backfield. It appears to be the best fit for the veteran, given his running style when he returns kickoffs and considering his success as a New England Patriot in 2018 when thrust into the backfield.

It also answers questions on why the Bears haven’t pursued another running back to compliment David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen. Montgomery still stands to be the bellcow and Cohen will continue to have a role coming out of the backfield in passing situations. But Patterson is set to have a role as well. Frankly, it’s where he’s best suited and I only wish the Bears made this decision last season to get him more touches.

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5 takeaways from Bears QBs press conference

Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles took different approaches to their respective meetings with the media Friday. Here are our five takeaways.

The most anticipated position battle in the city of Chicago officially began on Friday as Bears quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles met with the media. Both players, who reported for training camp this week, are striving to win the starting job and with no preseason games and a truncated offseason program, every rep counts.

Trubisky and Foles took different approaches to their respective meetings. Here are my five takeaways from what we heard on Friday afternoon.

1. Trubisky and Foles set two different tones

When listening to Trubisky and Foles answer questions from the media, you get the sense right away where each player’s mindset is at. Trubisky repeatedly stated he feels he’s the best player for the job and knows his teammates feel the same way. He’s edgier and doesn’t seem to want to be the backup. Foles, meanwhile, talked about how he felt “at home” in head coach Matt Nagy’s offense, but also said he’s willing to accept any role that’s given him as long as his team wins and that he wants to help Trubisky.

Speaking to media on Zoom video call, #Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky says condensed camp and no preseason games won't change his mindset: "Every day I show up I have to prove I'm the No. 1 guy for this team."

— Larry Mayer (@LarryMayer) July 31, 2020

Nick Foles says he's not focused on "winning" QB competition, just playing his best.
"I'm not keeping secrets from Mitch. I want to help him…if he makes a great throw, I'll be right there to slap him five & they’ll probably have to sanitize our hands, but I'm going to do it."

— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) July 31, 2020

Trubisky sounds like a man who knows all the pressure is on him. Foles sounds like someone who isn’t taking the situation too seriously. Neither approach is right or wrong as everyone has their different motivations. But it’s interesting to hear the difference in how each player speaks in this situation.

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5 takeaways from Mitchell Trubisky’s offseason press conference

There was a lot to digest following Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky’s offseason press conference.

It’s been a long few months for Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Since the official league year began, he’s seen his team acquire quarterback Nick Foles from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade and decline his fifth-year option, ensuring 2020 is his final season under contract as a Bear.

Amidst this wild offseason, Trubisky has remained silent until Friday afternoon when he met reporters for a press conference. A lot came out of the media session and I had quite a few reactions to what he said about this upcoming season, as well as the 2019 season.

Here are my takeaways from Trubisky’s press conference.

1. Trubisky is mad – and that’s a good thing

I vividly remember hearing Trubisky’s phone call with general manager Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox back in 2017 when he was drafted. The Bears second-overall pick sounded like a little kid who was thrilled he was picked first for dodgeball in elementary school when Pace traded up to select him. Who could blame him? He had a wonderment to him, someone who felt a little green and saw nothing but potential in the pros.

Now, three years later, Trubisky appears to be hardened by the harshness of the NFL. He admits he was “pissed off” about the Foles trade, albeit in a good way, and knows his pro future hangs in the balance of the 2020 season after regressing in his third year. This is a side of Trubisky we really haven’t seen yet and it could bring out the best in him when practices begin again.

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