Chicago Bears Training Camp 2025: New Coach, Fresh Energy, and Standout Performances
The buzz at Halas Hall this summer isn’t just the sound of pads popping — it’s the sound of a team trying to rewrite its future. The Chicago Bears are grinding through training camp ahead of the 2025 regular season, and if you’ve been paying attention, you can feel a different kind of energy in the air.
Why? Because there’s a new sheriff in town. Head coach Ben Johnson is running the show now, and his mission is crystal clear: drag the Bears back into the NFL spotlight where they belong. And he’s wasting no time setting the tone.
Building the Foundation — Starters, Rookies, and Everyone in Between
Every NFL team’s success hinges on the chemistry between its stars, the impact of its rookies, and the hunger of its depth players. For Chicago, this camp has been a three-act play.
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Act I: The Veterans. Quarterback Caleb Williams, receivers Rome Odunze and DJ Moore, and defensive disruptors Grady Jarrett and Montez Sweat are locked in. These guys aren’t just learning a new playbook — they’re leading the charge in adapting to Johnson’s system.
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Act II: The New Blood. Tight end Colston Loveland, wideout Luther Burden III, and tackle Ozzy Trapilo aren’t just here to warm the bench. They’ve got their eyes on immediate impact roles.
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Act III: The Fighters. Offensive lineman Doug Kramer, defensive end Dominique Robinson, and safety Jonathan Owens know the math — every snap could be the difference between a roster spot and a ticket out of town.
That mix of proven talent, untested potential, and roster-hungry depth has given every practice a razor-sharp edge.
Wednesday’s Padded Practice — The Day Some Players Popped
After a quick breather earlier in the week, the Bears strapped the pads back on for a session that made it clear: some guys are already separating themselves from the pack. Here’s who stole the spotlight:
1. QB Caleb Williams — Finding His Groove
If there was ever a day for Caleb Williams to silence some of the preseason chatter, this was it. All week, sports talk has been swirling — Can he really be the guy? — despite the fact he hasn’t taken a single preseason snap under Johnson.
On Wednesday, the rookie quarterback came out dealing. He hit Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus with precision, threading passes that looked like they were fired from a laser-guided cannon. A few incompletions? Sure — but those were mostly on the receivers, including a perfectly placed deep ball to DJ Moore that slipped through the fingers.
The only blemish was a misfired pitch to D’Andre Swift, but overall, it was the kind of day coaches dream about. If Williams can bottle up this confidence and execution, the rest of the week could be even more electric.
2. WR Rome Odunze — The Go-To Guy
Williams’ hot day had a lot to do with one man — Rome Odunze. The second-year receiver was everywhere, torching defenders and making highlight-worthy grabs.
One moment stood out above the rest: a touchdown snag near the front right pylon with tight coverage breathing down his neck. That’s the kind of play that gets fans out of their seats and defensive coordinators losing sleep.
The connection between Odunze and Williams is starting to feel like the early stages of a dangerous NFL duo. If they keep this rhythm, September could get real fun, real fast.
3. DE Dayo Odeyingbo — A Problem for Offensive Linemen
While the offense was making headlines, Dayo Odeyingbo was quietly wrecking shop in the trenches. And by “quietly,” I mean, unless you were Braxton Jones — because for him, it was anything but quiet.
In 1-on-1 drills, Odeyingbo put Jones on the ground with a move that had the defensive line room hyped. This wasn’t a one-off win either — he was consistently beating his man.
All the hype lately has been on Austin Booker, but let’s pump the brakes and remember: Odeyingbo is expected to be a major force this year. Wednesday was a loud reminder that he’s ready for that challenge.
Beyond the Stars — The Bigger Camp Picture
This Bears camp isn’t just about isolated highlight plays. It’s about establishing an identity. Under Johnson, the practices have had a clear focus:
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Tempo: Fast-paced sessions with minimal downtime.
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Competition: Position battles are fierce, from left tackle rotations to safety depth chart fights.
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Discipline: Mistakes are addressed immediately — no “we’ll fix it in film” attitude here.
Players talk about the “new vibe” under Johnson — a mix of accountability and optimism. And that’s showing in how guys are practicing. Even the depth players, who know their names won’t make headlines, are grinding like their careers depend on it. Because they do.
The Rookie Watch — Who’s Impressing Early
Colston Loveland has been turning heads with his ability to stretch the field from the tight end spot, while Luther Burden III’s footwork is already creating separation in drills. Ozzy Trapilo is still adjusting to NFL speed, but coaches like his frame and physicality.
The real test for these rookies will come in preseason action, but for now, they’re stacking solid days in camp — exactly what you want to see from first-year players.
Why This Camp Feels Different
It’s not just the play calls or the new faces — it’s the tone. Johnson’s arrival brought a sense that this isn’t just another “rebuilding year” story. There’s intent to compete now.
You can see it in the way veterans are mentoring rookies between drills, the way defensive linemen are trash-talking the O-line in scrimmages, and the way Williams is starting to own the huddle.
If you’ve been around the Bears in past years, you know — that stuff matters.
What’s Next for the Bears
The coming days will be crucial. More padded practices, more roster battles, and the inevitable first preseason game — the real moment of truth for rookies and fringe players.
Fans should keep an eye on:
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How Williams performs under live game pressure.
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Whether Odunze keeps up his early chemistry with the QB.
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If Odeyingbo can translate his practice dominance to game-day impact.
The Bears haven’t been shy about expectations. The message is simple — 2025 isn’t about excuses, it’s about results.
Bottom line:
Wednesday’s practice showed flashes of what this team could be under Ben Johnson. A young quarterback with accuracy and poise, a wide receiver ready to be a star, and a defensive lineman who refuses to be blocked — all in one session.
If that’s a preview of the regular season, Bears fans might finally have something worth roaring about again.
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