NEWSLETTER
They’re back, baby!
The Chicago Bears are one of four teams whose offseason programs begin today, making them among the last to get things started. [Brett: Already behind other teams? Shaking my head … (I kid).]
Two weeks of four-hour voluntary workouts await Bears players starting today, with a focus on strength and conditioning. Contact work is strictly prohibited in this phase, but there is work to be done on the field (maximum of 90 minutes), in the facility (where teams can only pick two hours for players to be there), as well as in the weight room.
It’s not much, but it’s something.
The 2017 Bears could feature as many as five new starters who were acquired in free agency, including quarterback Mike Glennon, cornerbacks Marcus Cooper and Prince Amukamara, safety Quintin Demps, and wide receiver Kendall Wright. Other free agents such as Markus Wheaton, Dion Sims, and B.W. Webb are also expected to make significant contributions in the coming season.
In short, with as many new faces as the Bears have entering Halas Hall for the 2017 season, it’s better to have something going on with the offseason program rather than nothing.
The Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, and Los Angles Rams started their programs earlier because each of those teams hired a new coach in the offseason. There were 23 teams — including the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots — who began their programs on Monday. The Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Seattle Seahawks join the Bears in kicking off their offseason programs on Tuesday.
