**It’s Day 5 of Chicago Bears Training Camp — and the Pads Are On**
The intensity ramped up at Halas Hall as the Chicago Bears strapped on the pads for the first time this training camp. Day 5 brought the kind of physicality that separates contenders from pretenders, and the energy on the practice field was palpable. From standout performances to a few concerning injuries, here’s everything you need to know from today’s session.All eyes remain on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, and the No. 1 overall pick didn’t disappoint in his first padded practice. Williams displayed his trademark pocket presence, maneuvering away from pressure and delivering strikes downfield. His chemistry with DJ Moore continues to grow, as the two connected on a beautiful deep ball during 11-on-11 drills.
That said, it wasn’t all perfect. Williams took a couple of “sacks” (quarterbacks are off-limits, but defenders got close enough to count them) when the pocket collapsed, a reminder that the offensive line still has work to do. Veteran backup Brett Hundley also had a solid day, threading a nice touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet in red-zone work.
Newcomer D’Andre Swift had his best day of camp so far, showing off his burst and elusiveness in team drills. He broke off a couple of impressive runs, including one where he made linebacker Tremaine Edmunds miss in the open field. Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson also got their share of carries, but Swift’s explosiveness stood out.
The battle for the RB2 spot is heating up, and Johnson’s physical running style could give him an edge in short-yardage situations. Rookie undrafted free agent Ian Wheeler also turned heads with a couple of shifty runs, though he’s still a long shot for the 53-man roster.DJ Moore remains the clear WR1, and he torched the secondary multiple times today. His route-running is as crisp as ever, and he’s building a strong rapport with Williams. Keenan Allen was held out of team drills for maintenance, giving rookie Rome Odunze more reps with the first team.
Odunze had a mixed day—showing flashes of brilliance with a contested catch over Kyler Gordon but also struggling at times against press coverage. Tyler Scott had a nice touchdown grab in the back of the end zone, while Dante Pettis continues to make a case for a roster spot with consistent hands.Cole Kmet was a favorite target in the red zone, using his size to box out defenders. Gerald Everett also made a few plays, particularly on underneath routes where his YAC ability stood out. Stephen Carlson had a drop but later redeemed himself with a tough catch in traffic. The Bears seem set at tight end, with Kmet and Everett forming a reliable duo.The offensive line had its ups and downs in pass protection. Right tackle Darnell Wright held his own against Montez Sweat, but left tackle Braxton Jones gave up a couple of pressures. Rookie third-rounder Kiran Amegadjie got some first-team reps at guard and looked surprisingly comfortable for a player still adjusting to NFL speed.
The interior line remains a work in progress, with Nate Davis and Teven Jenkins showing good push in the run game but occasional lapses in pass pro. Depth is a concern—if any starters go down, the Bears could be in trouble.Montez Sweat was in the backfield all day, living up to his $98 million contract. His speed off the edge gave the tackles fits, and he would’ve had multiple sacks in a real game. Opposite him, DeMarcus Walker had a strong day, using power moves to collapse the pocket.
Rookie Austin Booker flashed with a nice spin move for a would-be sack, while Gervon Dexter Sr. showed improvement as an interior disruptor. The defensive line looks like the strength of this team, and if they stay healthy, they’ll wreak havoc this season.Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards were everywhere today, stuffing runs and dropping into coverage effectively. Edmunds nearly picked off Williams on a tipped pass, showcasing his range. Jack Sanborn continues to be a reliable depth piece, while rookie Noah Sewell made a couple of nice plays in run support.Jaylon Johnson reminded everyone why he’s one of the best corners in the league, blanketing receivers all day. Kyler Gordon had a nice pass breakup but also got beat by Moore on a double move. The bigger concern is depth—Terrion Arnold got some first-team reps due to a minor injury to Tyrique Stevenson (more on that below), and the rookie struggled at times.
At safety, Jaquan Brisker delivered a couple of big hits, while Kevin Byard was steady in coverage. The Bears need their secondary to stay healthy, as the drop-off after the starters is noticeable.
Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson left practice early with what appeared to be a minor hamstring issue. Head coach Matt Eberflus said it was precautionary, but it’s something to monitor. Guard Nate Davis was also limited after tweaking his ankle, though he returned to individual drills later. Rookie offensive lineman Amegadjie got more reps as a result.- **Caleb Williams (QB):** Looked comfortable in his first padded practice, showing off his arm talent and mobility.
-DJ Moore (WR):** Unstoppable in 1-on-1s and team drills.
– Montez Sweat (DE):** Dominant off the edge.
*D’Andre Swift (RB):** Explosive runs, making a strong case for lead back duties.- **Offensive Line Depth:** If injuries hit, this group could struggle.
-Cornerback Depth:** Stevenson’s injury highlights the lack of proven backups.- **Rome Odunze’s Adjustment:** The rookie has talent but is still learning.The pads coming on revealed a lot about this Bears team. The defense looks fast and physical, while the offense has explosive potential but still needs to clean up some inconsistencies. Caleb Williams continues to impress, but the real test will come in preseason games.
Stay tuned for more updates as camp progresses—the competition is only getting hotter. Bear down!
