Chicago Bears training camp got heated with multiple skirmishes

USA Today

a day ago

The Chicago Bears are ready to fight, and with the preseason opener just days away, the opportunity to face a real opponent couldn't come soon enough.
Tuesday's training camp practice was filled with intensity, physicality and high tempers as four different skirmishes made headlines during another padded practice. With new head coach Ben Johnson running the show in his first season with the team, the Bears are giving off a much different identity and intensity to begin the season.
While there was plenty of tackling and uptempo play during practice, there were also skirmishes between offensive and defensive players who are trying to make their mark in camp. Upon his arrival, Johnson said no roster spot will be handed to any player, and the desire to earn their keep was never more evident than Tuesday.
Here's a quick breakdown of the skirmishes that unfolded during Tuesday's heated practice:
Rome Odunze gets helmet ripped off
It started with wide receiver Rome Odunze getting his helmet ripped off, per Adam Hoge, where receivers coach Antwaan Randle El was "playfully pulled from the scrum."
Roschon Johnson gets into it with Jonathan Owens
Courtney Cronin said running back Roschon Johnson got into it with safety Jonathan Owens, where they "ended up on the ground scrapping." According to Matt Zahn, "Roschon Johnson didn't like a tackle from Jonathan Owens and proceeded to chuck the football at him and throw him to the ground."
Jaquan Brisker takes exception to Tyler Scott
Clay Harbor noted that receiver Tyler Scott "delivered a big block" on Jaquan Brisker, and the safety "took exception to it" and the pair had to be separated.
Gervon Dexter takes Braxton Jones to the ground
The last one might've been the most memorable between left tackle Braxton Jones and defensive end Austin Booker, according to Cronin, where defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. stepped in and pushed Jones to the ground. According to Pat the Designer, Jones had to be held back.
Consequences of fighting
While many Bears fans may be happy to hear the team is putting up a fight for the first time in years, doing so against your own teammates in training camp is not ideal. Not only for the fact that it's your own team, but the carryover that undisciplined football could lead to in the regular season. Showing fight is one thing, putting yourself in a position that would get big penalty flags thrown in the regular season is a completely different thing that Johnson would love to have the team avoid.
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