The Bears Are Battling Adversity Already and Other Bullets

We’re in Bourbonnais watching practice, so let’s jump right into it!

  • The Chicago Bears practiced in the rain on Friday and are doing so again today during the first open practice of training camp. That wouldn’t be top-of-the-fold news, but it’s a wrinkle in practice plans that Bears fans (and some players) probably aren’t used to seeing. Both Marc Trestman and John Fox practiced inside when weather became less than ideal, with the thought being it would be better to save players from possible injury and to help get timing down. The Bears still ended up as one of the most injured teams in football, so much for that working out to the team’s advantage.
  • In his first training camp as a head coach, Matt Nagy seemed to embrace it all, telling the team’s official website that “a little adversity” was good for the team. “It’s just part of what we wanted to do,” Nagy said. “We weren’t going inside. We were coming outside unless that (lightning) horn went off. So it was a good day. The guys fought through it and hopefully we get some better weather tomorrow.”
  • I suppose there are points to be made for practicing in the elements. After all, the Bears will play a majority of their games outdoors and will have to go at it in the heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, and whatever Mother Nature has to offer. Might as well get used to whatever is thrown at you now in order to be fully prepared to take it on later. I can dig it. Almost makes me want to tough it out without an umbrella.
  • Chicago was without its potential starting inside linebacker tandem for the first practice, reports Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune. Smith was going to be a given as he sits out awaiting a contract worth signing, but Trevathan (hamstring) was something of a surprise miss when the news came across our radars. Then again, there’s no reason to test a veteran’s hamstring on a sloppy field during the first training camp team activities.
  • Every time Trevathan and/or Smith sits out, I’m reminded that someone worth keeping an eye on is going to get some added practice reps. When one door closes, another one opens. So Nick Kwiatkoski and John Timu should be ready to step in when called upon.
  • On the other side of the ball, the coach-quarterback love fest continues with Nagy throwing praise in Mitch Trubisky’s direction. Nagy describes Trubisky as “very focused, very driven” as camp starts, writes Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. The Bears used a chunk of the offseason for installation of the team’s new offensive playbook and it will soon be time for Trubisky to accelerate the learning process. I suppose that process includes getting a handle on a wet pigskin a time or two this summer.
  • Gotta do it:
  • Right guard Kyle Long was among the practice participants on Friday. Long says he feels great after a pair of injury plagued seasons, writes Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times. Long was a battler the last two years, playing through a variety of injuries and toughing it out before ending the 2017 season on injured reserve. The Bears missed Long’s steady presence on the right side of the line, which is an area in which the Bears struggled to establish a running game. Keep that in mind as the three-time Pro Bowler re-establishes himself in 2018.
  • I followed this yesterday on Instagram and was totally digging GM Ryan Pace answering fan questions on the social media platform. Pace looks and sounds like a man with a new lease on his football life. To be fair, going from Fox to Nagy is the kind of night-and-day difference that could spark such a change. But there is also the optimism a new season brings that could be giving Pace an extra pep in his step. No matter what it is, I’m encouraged by what I hear from the team’s general manager and hope to hear more from him as the season goes on. Pace isn’t much for in-season press conferences, so you’ll take what you can get from him when you can get it.
  • written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

    more bears news

    Bears Rookie Minicamp Takeaways: Caleb Williams and the Best of the Rest

    I've said it, and I'll continue to say it: this chapter of Chicago Bears football feels different. Perhaps it's because the last time we did this, we were in a pandemic, and when the Bears jumped up to No. 11...

    Jared Goff Becomes the Highest-Paid Lion Ever!

    The Detroit Lions have been busy in recent weeks securing their core after a run to the NFC title game last season. Jared Goff became the latest player to get a new deal in Detroit, and he became the highest-paid...

    Antoine Winfield Jr Signs Record-Breaking Extension

    The Buccaneers have made Antoine Winfield Jr the highest-paid defensive back in the history of the NFL. On Monday afternoon, Winfield Jr and Tampa Bay agreed to a four-year, $84.1 million deal. It also guarantees the Bucs' star $45 million....

    Bears Sign 6 Players After Rookie Minicamp Weekend Tryouts

    The Chicago Bears offseason roster churn continues. In addition to their five-player draft class headlined by Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze (plus nine more players who were signed as undrafted free agents), the Bears have signed six free agents who...

    They’re No. 1: Bears Wide Receivers Room Ranks as NFL’s Best

    One of my biggest frustrations with the Ryan Pace regime was how the former Chicago Bears general manager didn't invest in wide receiver upgrades the way you'd expect a team building around a young quarterback should. Meanwhile, his replacement, Ryan...

    The Cost of Being a Football Fan (And Other Bears Bullets)

    In yet another reminder that nothing in life is free, the folks at Awful Announcing put the total cost to access NFL games this season projects to be $855.86. With 272 games on the NFL schedule, that comes out to...

    Rome Odunze Missed Saturday’s Bears Rookie Minicamp Practice

    I was rounding up this morning's set of Bears Bullets when I saw this note from the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer on rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze sitting out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness and I knew I had to...

    A New Tight End, Day 2 Camp Pics and Vids, Edge Market Developing, and Other Bears Bullets

    It's Mother's Day today. And while my mother passed away in 2017, I try to use this day to remember and honor her memory. Do something nice for the moms in your life today. You only get one. Chicago Bears...

    Caleb to Rome, First Day Notes, Big LSU Bet Is Off, and Other Bears Bullets

    I'm off to Springfield to play the role of Uncle Lu this weekend, so we'll have an abridged version of Bears Bullets today. Caleb Williams survived his first practice as Chicago Bears QB1. And all was right with the football...

    Tory Taylor is the First Bears Draft Pick to Sign Their Rookie Deal

    There will be no punter hold out this summer. Tory Taylor is officially locked in: https://twitter.com/chicagobears/status/1789283410294321438?s=46&t=9_XcB6r0ywNyv4WuAOFkLA The Chicago Bears announced Tory Taylor’s signing on Saturday morning. And in doing so, made him the first of the team’s five 2024 NFL...

    Latest News

    A Reliever Trade! Chicago Cubs Acquiring Tyson Miller from the Mariners

    The Chicago Cubs are acquiring righty reliever Tyson Miller from the Seattle Mariners for minor league utility man Jake Slaughter, per Jeff Passan. The Cubs did it! An early-May bullpen trade! It can be done! ... ok, there are some...

    Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Las Vegas Aces face the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET in the season opener for both teams. The matchup airs on ESPN2 and ESPN+.Watch the WNBA all season long on Fubo!How to Watch...

    Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota Lynx: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Minnesota Lynx take on the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The game, the first of the 2024 season for both teams, tips at 10:00 PM ET on ESPN3, BSNX, FOX13+, and Prime Video.Watch...

    Phillies vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

    The Philadelphia Phillies will take the field against the New York Mets (19-21) on Tuesday. The game begins at 1:10 PM ET on SNY, with the Phillies listed as -140 favorites on the moneyline.Aaron Nola starts for Philadelphia while Jose...

    Phillies vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – May 14

    The New York Mets (19-21) play on Tuesday in Queens against the Philadelphia Phillies (29-13). First pitch is at 1:10 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Phillies will send Aaron Nola (4-2) to the mound, while Jose...

    Celtics vs. Cavaliers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Wednesday, May 15, 2024

    The Boston Celtics are massive 15.5-point favorites in a decisive Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on Wednesday, tipping off at 7:00 PM ET on TNT. The Celtics have...

    Thunder vs. Mavericks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for Western Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Wednesday, May 15, 2024

    The Dallas Mavericks are 4.5-point underdogs in Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on Wednesday, tipping off at 9:30 PM ET on TNT. The series is tied 2-2....

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: Western Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

    The Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves meet in Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 4.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 10:30 PM ET. The over/under in...

    Knicks vs. Pacers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

    The Indiana Pacers are slight 2.5-point underdogs in Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on TNT. The series is...

    New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Washington Mystics go up against the New York Liberty at St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The game, the first of the 2024 season for both teams, tips at 7:00 PM ET on...

    more bears news