The Bears Are Ramping Up Training Camp in Week 2! Pads Are On, Intensity Is Rising, and the Road Ahead Takes Shape
The second week of Chicago Bears training camp is officially underway, and with the arrival of padded practices, the energy at Halas Hall has reached an entirely new level. For players, coaches, and fans alike, this is the moment that separates speculation from substance—when depth charts start to take shape, breakout candidates emerge, and the grind of the NFL season truly begins.
After a promising start in Week 1 filled with walk-throughs, non-contact drills, and conditioning, the pads came on today—and they’ll be on again tomorrow. The tempo increased, collisions became louder, and the coaching staff got its first true look at how this 2026 Bears roster performs under real football conditions. As always, the padded sessions bring clarity and intensity. The coaches call it the “evaluation window,” but for many players fighting for roster spots, this is make-or-break season already.
Let’s break down where the Bears stand after the first full-padded session, the injury updates that followed practice, and what lies ahead in the days to come.
The pads coming on means different things for different units. For the offensive and defensive linemen, it’s the first opportunity to engage in real trench warfare. For skill position players, it’s a chance to show toughness after the catch, break tackles, or make contested plays. And for the quarterbacks? It’s about command under pressure and composure in the pocket.
All eyes were once again on second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, who has come into his first full training camp as the unquestioned starter. Williams looked sharp in team drills, delivering a string of accurate throws to DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, and also showing improved timing on intermediate routes with rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze. One particularly crisp throw came on a 20-yard out to Moore, placed perfectly on the sideline against tight coverage.
The offensive line, a major focus heading into this season, had a mixed day. Left tackle Braxton Jones held up well in 1-on-1 drills against edge rusher Montez Sweat, while rookie center Zach Frazier got his welcome-to-the-NFL moment from veteran defensive tackle Andrew Billings. The interior battles were physical and fast-paced, giving coaches the first meaningful tape on their revamped offensive line. Teven Jenkins continued to show leadership and toughness, anchoring the left guard position and delivering one of the biggest hits during inside run drills.
On defense, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds showed why he’s the anchor of the front seven. He was quick to diagnose run plays and delivered several thumping tackles, drawing cheers from teammates and a loud “Atta boy!” from head coach Matt Eberflus. Rookie linebacker Payton Wilson also flashed, shooting a gap to stop Khalil Herbert for a loss and later sticking with running back Roschon Johnson in coverage during 7-on-7s.
Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was the standout in the secondary. He broke up two passes in red zone drills and nearly came down with an interception after jumping a slant route. With Kyler Gordon nursing a minor hamstring tweak, Stevenson is making the most of his added reps.
With padded practices comes the unfortunate but expected uptick in injury-related news. After today’s session, a few Bears were evaluated by the medical staff.
The most notable concern was wide receiver Velus Jones Jr., who appeared to tweak his ankle after planting hard during a comeback route. He limped off the field under his own power and did not return to practice. Initial word from the team suggests it’s a minor sprain, but Jones will likely be held out of tomorrow’s padded practice as a precaution.
Edge rusher Dominique Robinson also left early with what appeared to be a hamstring strain. Trainers worked on him on the sideline before he was escorted to the locker room. While not considered serious, Robinson’s availability will be closely monitored throughout the rest of the week.
Safety Jaquan Brisker, who missed the end of last season due to a lingering shoulder issue, sat out team drills today. The coaching staff indicated it was a planned rest day and that Brisker is expected to be full-go tomorrow.
There’s no panic yet, but the Bears will likely exercise caution as they push through one of the most physically demanding stretches of camp. The goal, as Eberflus reminded reporters, is to compete—but also to get to Week 1 healthy.
As the Bears enter year three under Matt Eberflus, there’s a noticeable cultural identity forming around toughness, accountability, and competition. The team’s HITS principle—Hustle, Intensity, Takeaways, Situational smarts—isn’t just a slogan; it’s embedded in every drill.
This week, Eberflus and his staff emphasized situational football. Today’s padded practice included multiple two-minute scenarios, red zone segments, and third-down periods. The defense dominated early, with Montez Sweat registering what would’ve been two sacks and the secondary breaking up multiple passes. But the offense finished strong, with Williams connecting with Cole Kmet and Darnell Mooney for red zone scores on consecutive drives.
Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has brought a new energy to the offense. His system features more pre-snap motion and play-action than in previous years, and it’s clearly helping create separation for the receivers and easier reads for Williams. That said, the red zone execution remains a work in progress—a focal point in the next few days.
Rome Odunze continues to impress. The rookie looks fluid, polished, and confident. His route-running was crisp today, and he made a spectacular sideline grab during a 2-minute drill, managing to tap both feet inbounds. The trust between him and Williams is growing fast.Gervon Dexter Sr. is emerging on the interior defensive line. He showed excellent burst off the snap during 1-on-1 pass rush drills and beat two different linemen with a devastating swim move.Roschon Johnson, always known for his tough running, stood out in pass protection—a key area for a young back trying to earn third-down snaps. He stood up blitzing linebacker Noah Sewell twice during full-speed drills.Jaylon Johnson, the veteran corner, is showing leadership and consistency. He was sticky in coverage and vocal with the younger DBs throughout the practice.
Tomorrow’s padded practice is expected to be even more physical. Coaches are planning longer team periods and potentially a “live tackling” goal-line segment—a rare but telling indicator of how seriously the Bears are approaching situational football this early in camp.
A full-team scrimmage is being tentatively planned for the weekend, simulating a game environment and allowing the coaching staff to test communication, substitution packages, and clock management. This will be Caleb Williams’ biggest challenge yet—commanding the offense in a fully live setting, against a defense that is fast, young, and out to make a statement.
Joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts are also on the calendar for next week, which should provide a great litmus test for both sides of the ball and help coaches measure development outside the echo chamber of intrasquad practices.
The Bears’ second week of camp began with fire—and it’s only heating up. The transition from shirts and shells to full pads has revealed both promise and areas that need polishing. From Caleb Williams’ poise to Rome Odunze’s emergence, the offense looks more dynamic than in years past. On defense, the front seven is aggressive and communicating well, a testament to the growing chemistry in that group.
Injuries are always a concern, but so far, the Bears have avoided anything devastating. Caution and conditioning will be key as they head into another critical week.
Most of all, there’s a sense of purpose at Halas Hall. This isn’t a team rebuilding anymore—it’s one trying to prove it’s ready to contend in the NFC North. The talent is there. The leadership is forming. And as the pads come on and the real football begins, so too does the real test of whether this Chicago Bears squad can live up to its potential in 2026.
For now, they’ve passed the first major test: responding with urgency, intensity, and focus when the pads went on. Tomorrow brings another opportunity. And with it, another chance for this team to reveal what it’s truly made of.
