Latest news with #ChicagoBears
USA Today
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Pope Leo XIV received an epic gift from vacationing Bears fans
There's no denying that Chicago Bears fans are diehards. But some fans took it to another level as they traveled to Vatican City to give Pope Leo XIV an epic gift. Granted, the fans were likely vacationing in Rome and just couldn't pass up the opportunity to drop by with a gift for the hometown pope, who grew up in the Chicagoland area. In true Bears fashion, the shirt read "Da Pope," a nod to "Da Bears" from the classic "Bill Swerski's Superfans" skit on "Saturday Night Live." A video (courtesy of Ann Bannapradist Munoz) also captured Pope Leo XIV holding up the shirt to support his hometown football team. This isn't the first Bears gift that the pope has received. Earlier this year, the pope received a custom Bears jersey that included his name (Pope Leo) and number (naturally, XIV) from Vice President JD Vance. Naturally, there's been plenty of jokes from Chicago fans having the pope on their side for their sports teams. So far, the Chicago Cubs (although the pope is technically a White Sox fan) have the best record in the National League while the Bears landed the top coaching candidate and appear primed for success with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams. We'll see if the Bears can ink a Super Bowl championship with Pope Leo XIV on their side. But let's start with a winning record and postseason appearance.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
As final training camps open, time to grade every NFL team's offseason
The NFL offseason, such as it is, officially ends today as the remainder of the league's 32 teams officially kick off their training camps. Or, as Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said after his team was the first to fully report to camp last week: "It's being reborn. It's the start of the year. Some would think it's January 1st. Those espoused to Catholicism, Christianity would think it's the birth of Christ. Us in football, it's the first day of training camp." As far as we know, it's not New Year's Day, nor are Three Wise Men set to report to Bethlehem. But we get it, Coach. Back to the football. And while positional battles, injuries and the constant churn of league-wide transactions will continue to impact every team's roster and depth chart, issuing report cards for every team's showing since the 2024 season ended can no longer wait now that teams have essentially taken shape for the upcoming campaign. So, without further ado, here are each team's grades for their performances off the field over the past few months: Chicago Bears: A They might have won the offseason the minute they hired highly, highly regarded Ben Johnson as their head coach, not only adding an offensive wunderkind but damaging the rival Lions in the process given the impact he'd had on their attack, which ranked in the top five each of the past three seasons. Recently extended GM Ryan Poles made a series of other moves to not only help Johnson but also second-year QB Caleb Williams, who had an uneven rookie season (to put it mildly). Poles buttressed the blocking by trading for Gs Joe Thuney, an All-Pro, and Jonah Jackson before signing highly regarded C Drew Dalman. The draft also brought two new toys for Williams, TE Colston Loveland and WR Luther Burden plus, maybe, his next left tackle (Ozzy Trapilo). Poles also put in work on the defensive side, extending LB T.J. Edwards for two years, signing two-time Pro Bowler Grady Jarrett and up-and-coming pass rusher Dayo Odeyingbo before snagging DL Shemar Turner in the draft's second round. Little room for further excuses here, though Johnson and Poles now seem to have far more security than the players. New England Patriots: A The return of Mike Vrabel to Foxborough as this team's new head coach should have the broadest impact on this franchise now and well into the future – and is also the stroke that should be the primary accelerant to second-year QB Drake Maye's career. But the Pats also did plenty from a roster standpoint to bulwark the league's worst offense – notably earmarking its first draft four picks to that side of the ball. First-round OT Will Campbell and second-round RB TreVeyon Henderson are both expected to immediately have major roles. New WR Stefon Diggs and RT Morgan Moses are veteran additions and somewhat damaged goods – both coming off knee surgery – but each should benefit Maye. Expect a big jump defensively after most of the team's copious free agent budget went there in order to sign DT Milton Williams (4 years, $104 million), considered perhaps the crown jewel of a thin free agent crop. LB Robert Spillane, OLB Harold Landry and DB Carlton Davis III all got three-year deals worth more than $130 million in sum – a lot to shell out for a trio with all of one Pro Bowl nod on their collective résumés. The return of DT Christian Barmore, who was sidelined by blood clots last season, adds an additional boost. If Maye continues along his trajectory, a team that won four games in 2024 could easily double that total. New York Jets: A- Last week was the cherry on top of Phase One of their cultural reset, WR Garrett Wilson and CB Sauce Gardner signing four-year extensions that not only solidify the roster's foundation but underscore the philosophical buy-in no-frills rookie head coach Aaron Glenn is getting before even working a game. Those deals followed what seemed like a strong draft headlined by first-round RT Armand Membou and second-round TE Mason Taylor, who should both be Week 1 starters while adding further steel to this club's backbone. New QB1 Justin Fields, tabbed to replace Aaron Rodgers after Glenn put an end to that era (error?), represented new GM Darren Mougey's biggest foray into free agency and will either put a wedge in the team's revolving door behind center or put them back in the market for a passer in what should be a strong 2026 draft at the position. CB D.J. Reed will be missed. Philadelphia Eagles: A- As has been the case with nearly every reigning champion during the salary cap portion of the Super Bowl era, you can't keep everyone. And while the Eagles will return their offense nearly intact – it should be fine sans RG Mekhi Becton – the defense took a few hits. Among the departed: OLB Josh Sweat, DL Milton Williams, DBs Darius Slay and C.J. Gardner-Johnson and retired DE Brandon Graham. However EVP/GM Howie Roseman, who always seems ready for what's next, issued smart raises to RB Saquon Barkley and RT Lane Johnson, got new deals done for LB Zack Baun and C Cam Jurgens and, thanks to his drafting acumen, the defense appears backfilled by capable replacements, though there's no sugarcoating the loss of depth. (However Roseman did bring in a lot of accomplished veterans at low cost, a list that includes LBs Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche, CB Adoree' Jackson, TE Harrison Bryant and RB AJ Dillon.) Versatile first-round LB Jihaad Campbell, who likely wouldn't have fallen to the 31st overall pick had his shoulder been healthy, could also make up some of the shortfall. And watch out for second-round S Andrew Mukuba. In other good news, coach Nick Sirianni also got an extension … as did the 'Tush Push,' perhaps partially thanks to a late shove from former pusher Jason Kelce. Baltimore Ravens: B+ AFC North champs the past two seasons, they're pretty nicely set up to make another very strong Super Bowl push – getting Pro Bowl LT Ronnie Stanley re-signed while adding veterans accomplished veterans such as WR DeAndre Hopkins and CB Jaire Alexander. Their top two draft picks, S Malaki Starks and OLB Mike Green, could make instant impacts. A tight cap could make anything further on the personnel side a challenge, but an extension needs to get done fairly soon for All-Pro QB Lamar Jackson – he carries a prohibitive $74.5 million cap hit in 2026 and '27 – and then new deals for young core players such as S Kyle Hamilton, C Tyler Linderbaum and TE Isaiah Likely should follow. Also, it remains to be seen what Baltimore gets from whomever replaces disgraced former K Justin Tucker, who was released last month. Denver Broncos: B+ A team that made a surprising playoff run in 2024 behind rookie QB Bo Nix could be poised to take the next step. Denver drafted DB Jahdae Barron and RB RJ Harvey – both could play a ton of snaps as rookies – and took a targeted approach to free agency, which brought TE Evan Engram, RB J.K. Dobbins, LB Dre Greenlaw and S Talanoa Hufanga … though all of those veterans come with extensive injuries in their backgrounds. Yet if half of them pan out, Sean Payton's team could challenge K.C. for AFC West supremacy. Kansas City Chiefs: B+ You wouldn't think a cemented dynasty would have this productive an offseason or this much financial flexibility – and QB Patrick Mahomes deserves more credit there given his ongoing willingness to restructure his contract and allocate money elsewhere. And while not everyone will be back, notably Thuney and S Justin Reid, the team managed to extend G Trey Smith and DE George Karlaftis, re-signed LB Nick Bolton, WRs Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster and RB Kareem Hunt. GM Brett Veach was also able to add OT Jaylon Moore and CB Kristian Fulton. TE Travis Kelce will, at minimum, play out the final year of his contract, and WR Rashee Rice is back after last year's season-ending knee injury, though he could miss the early part of the season if the NFL hands down a suspension in the aftermath of his legal issues being resolved. The defense was heavily augmented by the draft, but the spotlight will be on first-round OT Josh Simmons who, along with Moore, will be vying to solidify the new-look left side of a line that failed the team during its Super Bowl 59 three-peat bid. It's a fascinating mix of stability and churn for a team that's only missed the Super Bowl once in the past six seasons. Yet the O-line does remain something of a question aside from Smith and C Creed Humphrey. New York Giants: B+ If HC Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen are truly on the hot seat … gonna be interesting. First-round QB Jaxson Dart is clearly the future here, but will Daboll have the luxury of developing him in a redshirt manner after the team brought in veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston? How much will the secondary benefit after Schoen invested three years and nearly $100 million collectively for S Jevon Holland and CB Paulson Adebo? (Maybe a lot with No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux rushing quarterbacks.) A draft that brought Carter, Dart and RB Cam Skattebo could pay off handsomely … whether it's for this front office or the next one. Seattle Seahawks: B+ A team that unexpectedly won 10 games and fell a tiebreaker short of postseason in 2024, Mike Macdonald's first as the coach, nevertheless took something of a sledgehammer to the top of its roster. Gone are QB Geno Smith and WRs DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, among others. In are Pro Bowl QB Sam Darnold, WR Cooper Kupp and DE DeMarcus Lawrence, among others. The trades of Smith and Metcalf paved the way for a big-time draft class that brought OL Grey Zabel, S Nick Emmanwori, TE Elijah Arroyo and highly intriguing third-round QB Jalen Milroe. Should be fascinating to see how a team more tailored to Macdonald's philosophy coalesces. Tennessee Titans: B Given QB Cam Ward was the top pick of this year's draft, there's been remarkably little national buzz around the player or his new team. And maybe that's not such a bad thing – ask the 2024 Bears. Ward has some decent weaponry around him, and rookie GM Mike Borgonzi prepared for his arrival by securing veteran G Kevin Zeitler and LT Dan Moore in free agency. And now it's undoubtedly fully speed ahead with Ward following Monday's news that last year's starter, Will Levis, will miss the 2025 season after opting to undergo shoulder surgery. Arizona Cardinals: B Heavy defensive emphasis, GM Monti Ossenfort taking DT Walter Nolen and highly regarded CB Will Johnson with his first two draft picks after plucking Sweat from the champion Eagles during free agency. Trey McBride also got a deal that briefly made him the league's best paid-tight end at $19 million annually. Will it be enough to vault a team that doubled its win total to eight last season into the playoffs? If WR Marvin Harrison Jr. has improved as much as he and the team think, maybe. Buffalo Bills: B Is their interminable Super Bowl quest over the top? Buffalo's biggest move was re-signing QB Josh Allen to a six-year, $330 million extension – which is actually below market value at $55 million per season. Securing the reigning league MVP is a huge plus, and GM Brandon Beane also reinvested heavily elsewhere in his roster (DE Greg Rousseau, WR Khalil Shakir, LB Terrel Bernard, CB Christian Benford). The team seems confident the development of WR Keon Coleman, addition of WR Josh Palmer and return to health by TE Dalton Kincaid can take the passing game up a notch. But will a generally conservative reliance on continuity be enough? Also first-round CB Maxwell Hairston is dealing with legal issues, and DE Joey Bosa (calf) is already coping with an injury. Green Bay Packers: B They made a splash – by Wisconsin standards – after taking Matthew Golden in the first round of the draft, breaking a 23-year streak when they'd avoided Round 1 wideouts. If he can establish himself as a No. 1 receiver, much as HC Matt LaFleur hates that label, this offense could reach a new level. GM Brian Gutekunst made other significant, if less noted, moves, extending OL Zach Tom and bringing in free agent G Aaron Banks and CB Nate Hobbs, all on four-year contracts. Hobbs basically replaces now-departed Alexander. Houston Texans: B After the offense regressed around second-year QB C.J. Stroud in 2024, a team that's won past two AFC South crowns should probably be given credit for not resting on its laurels, largely remaking the O-line and receiver room while firing coordinator Bobby Slowik, who was taking head coach interviews just the year before. It remains to be seen how Stroud fares with new play caller Nick Caley or behind a line that could have a different player in every spot but right tackle compared to the combinations Houston used in last season's playoffs. But with newly acquired vets like WR Christian Kirk and Gardner-Johnson plus a nice haul of rookies – OL Aireontae Ersery, WRs Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel – and perhaps six picks in the first three rounds of next year's draft, it's easy to understand GM Nick Caserio's logic. And he gets extra points for moving quickly to extend All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr. Jacksonville Jaguars: B With the bold move up to get Hunter, rookie GM James Gladstone is banking on this as a transformative offseason that's potentially netted a new face of the franchise. Whether Hunter, who cost the Jags their second-rounder this year and a first next year, can effectively gain this team a roster spot or even consistently be a major presence on both sides of the ball game in and game out remains to be seen. His impact will also be largely dictated by the health of QB Trevor Lawrence, who underwent surgery on his non-throwing shoulder and is adapting to yet another head coach with rookie Liam Coen now in the post. But Lawrence should enjoy upgraded protection after Gladstone signed free agent OL Patrick Mekari and Robert Hainsey to three-year deals. But the organization really needs Coen, Hunter, WR Brian Thomas Jr. and maybe even new deep threat Dyami Brown to help the No. 1 pick of the 2021 draft blossom into the superstar he was projected to be coming out of Clemson. Los Angeles Rams: B You're forgiven if you thought a team that traded out of the first round basically spent the offseason swapping out Kupp for Davante Adams and tweaking its O-line. But GM Les Snead also got new deals done for QB Matthew Stafford and LT Alaric Jackson while adding NT Poona Ford to an ascending defense. Second-round TE Terrance Ferguson could quickly add a new dimension to the offense. Minnesota Vikings: B HC Kevin O'Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah both got deserved extensions in the wake of a surprising 14-win season and busily did what they could to put new QB1 J.J. McCarthy into an optimal situation as he prepares to take his first regular-season snaps following a rookie year completely lost to a knee injury. That's meant adding OL Will Fries, Ryan Kelly and first-rounder Donovan Jackson plus re-signing RB Aaron Jones. McCarthy should also benefit from a play-making defense reinforced by veteran DTs Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave plus the retention of S Harrison Smith and ascending CB Byron Murphy. But this whole thing might be undone if the decision to part with Darnold proves a mistake. Pittsburgh Steelers: B Ultimately, this season will be judged by whether a team nearly a decade removed from its last playoff win made the right call at quarterback … something it hasn't done for some time. But after failing to convince Fields, who was benched for Wilson last season, to re-sign or pry Stafford loose from the Rams, per reports, coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan settled on Rodgers – for what's likely a one-year rental – rather than roll the dice on a rookie passer in a draft that seemed thin on QB prospects. Otherwise? In are Metcalf, CBs Jalen Ramsey and Slay and TE Jonnu Smith. Out are WR George Pickens, RB Najee Harris and S Minkah Fitzpatrick. For better or worse, soon-to-be 31-year-old OLB T.J. Watt just landed an extension averaging $41 million, meaning he's now the league's best-compensated non-QB for the next five minutes. A seemingly strong draft class headlined by DL Derrick Harmon and RB Kaleb Johnson, effectively gets an additional boost from 2024 first-round RT Troy Fautanu and speedy third-round WR Roman Wilson, who made one appearance apiece as rookies. Will they be enough to win more than 10 games and reach the divisional round of postseason? We don't have to tell you to stay tuned. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B A team that values stability as much as any certainly maintained it, extending the contracts of GM Jason Licht and coach Todd Bowles as the organization eyes a fifth straight NFC South crown. WR Chris Godwin and LB Lavonte David are also back. OLB Haason Reddick and rookie WR Emeka Egbuka are seemingly the most prominent newcomers, though the draft brought quite a few defensive reinforcements. LT Tristan Wirfs (knee surgery) will miss the start of the season, but Godwin is hoping his ankle is ready to go for Week 1. Dallas Cowboys: B- Welp, it's never dull in Big D. The Cowboys began 2025 with the fairly surprising choice of naming Brian Schottenheimer to his first head coaching gig – he replaced Mike McCarthy – and his tenure seems to be off to a good start in the locker room. It helps to have QB Dak Prescott fully recovered from the hamstring injury that cut his 2024 season short. There's also been ample buzz following the trade with Pittsburgh for Pickens. Issues certainly remain − though, despite owner Jerry Jones' rhetoric, expect DE Micah Parsons to soon become the league's next highest-paid non-quarterback. Figuring out if they have an effective runner to replace departed RB Rico Dowdle, whether Joe Milton III is potentially ready to fill in for Prescott and if recently fined CB Trevon Diggs can get back into the team's good graces could actually be more difficult answers to find. Las Vegas Raiders: B- There's little doubt they should be more competitive on the heels of a 4-13 campaign. Yet with a soon-to-be 74-year-old coach in Pete Carroll and soon-to-be 35-year-old QB Geno Smith, it all feels very … interim? The team locked up DE Maxx Crosby through the 2029 season. All-Pro TE Brock Bowers feels like the only other cornerstone right now, though rookie GM John Spytek certainly hopes he found more in RB Ashton Jeanty, WR Jack Bech and others in what could be a strong draft class. The uncertain status of DT Christian Wilkins (foot surgery), signed to a four-year, $110 million deal a year ago, remains a concern. San Francisco 49ers: B- Some bills came due, literally and figuratively. Primarily, Brock Purdy finally became eligible to come off the NFL's version of quarterback welfare, signing a five-year, $265 million extension. Two of the team's other linchpins, TE George Kittle and LB Fred Warner, also inked new deals. But there were unavoidable ripple effects, perhaps most notable the trade of Samuel. The defense was also stripped of several former mainstays, including Greenlaw, Hufanga, DE Leonard Floyd, CB Charvarius Ward, and DTs Hargrave and Maliek Collins. Former Jets coach Robert Saleh is back to run the unit but will have to try and revive it with a lot of new players after GM George Lynch devoted his first five 2025 draft picks to the defensive side of the ball before trading for DE Bryce Huff. On the health front, All-Pros Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams seem ready to return, but WRs Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall are currently on the PUP list. Washington Commanders: B- Given QB Jayden Daniels enters his second season as a bona fide MVP candidate, you want to commend a team that's already going for it by adding veterans like OLB Von Miller. And retaining leaders like LB Bobby Wagner, TE Zach Ertz and QB2 Marcus Mariota should only pay current and future dividends. Rookies Josh Conerly and Trey Amos could also contribute heavily early and often. Yet it's worth asking if Washington will ultimately be happy with its trades for WR Deebo Samuel, who's a touch volatile and often banged up, and LT Laremy Tunsil, who led the NFL with 19 penalties in 2024 (12 of them false starts). Also, three years and $45 million for DL Javon Kinlaw? And it probably shouldn't have taken this long to reach a financial agreement with WR Terry McLaurin, who's been a good soldier here long before the team got good … or even respectable. New Orleans Saints: C+ Derek Carr recently retired. Former All-Pro Ryan Ramczyk officially retired. The longtime 4-3 base defense was retired. Tyrann Mathieu juuust retired. At least the team's often tenuous cap situation improved. Reid, OLB Chase Young and TE Juwan Johnson are all good players who signed three-year deals. Rookies Kelvin Banks, Tyler Shough and Vernon Broughton, might be, too. However expectations for this season should be decidedly in check. Perhaps it's all ultimately for the best if Shough turns out to be the starting quarterback for rookie HC Kellen Moore much sooner than initially expected. Carolina Panthers: C Though they notably drafted WR Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth pick of the first round, the general lack of tinkering with the offense is indicative of how they feel about QB Bryce Young's progress last year and the pieces around him. The return of DE Derrick Brown, who missed all but one game in 2024 with a knee injury, should be the best news for a defense that gave up the most points and yards in the league last season. But GM Dan Morgan also paid to improve that side of the ball, signing S Tre'von Moehrig and DTs Tershawn Wharton to three-year deals averaging at least $15 million after missing out on former Eagles DT Milton Williams. CB Jaycee Horn also got a huge extension. OLB Jadeveon Clowney was released in May, and lingering concussion issues led to LB Josey Jewell's departure, at least for now. Cincinnati Bengals: C They deserve some credit after ponying up to extend WRs Ja'Marr Chase, who was the league's top-paid non-quarterback for a few months, and Tee Higgins, a development that kept QB Joe Burrow happy. But, at least in regard to Chase, an All-Pro who won the league's receiving triple crown, that was a no-brainer … as it was last year, when he would have cost significantly less. One would also think giving All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson the raise he's earned going into the last year of his contract, or even simply signing first-round DE Shemar Stewart would similarly be no-brainers. But the Bengals have been Bengal-ing and risk immediately crippling their season at its outset if Hendrickson and Stewart, who's impressive skill set already needed polishing, remain absent from what's already a highly suspect defense. Los Angeles Chargers: C- They'll likely need to rely even more on their top two draft picks, RB Omarion Hampton and WR Tre Harris, following the July 4 eye injury suffered by RB Najee Harris, a free agent pickup, and WR Mike Williams, who decided to retire last week. (Good thing the Bolts drafted with a sense of redundance.) Beyond that, they hung on to OLB Khalil Mack but let Bosa go. The Chargers' two other biggest additions were Becton and CB Donte Jackson. Meh. Despite Harbaugh's optimism, tight end, corner and maybe even who will be QB Justin Herbert's top pass-catching alternative to WR Ladd McConkey remain concerns. LT Rashawn Slater still needs a new contract. Atlanta Falcons: D+ Unlike the Vikings, they haven't been able to optimize the supporting cast around QB Michael Penix Jr., who enters a season as the starter for the first time, because he's got a backup, Kirk Cousins, with a nine-figure contract. And now he'll loom over Penix from the sideline while hovering like a dark cloud over the salary cap. GM Terry Fontenot did manage to extend LT Jake Matthews but couldn't hang on to promising Dalman. Jarrett also left for Chicago. Maybe Fontenot will get more from a notoriously underwhelming pass rush after signing Floyd and drafting Jalon Walker and James Pearce in Round 1, though Pearce came at the exorbitantly high cost of next year's first-round pick. Indianapolis Colts: D+ As Brad Pitt's 'F1' character, Sonny Hayes, said: "Hope is not a strategy." But kinda feels like that's where the Colts are as they assess whether Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones will be their Week 1 quarterback – an issue potentially exacerbated after the offensive line was raided during free agency. First-round TE Tyler Warren projects as an immediate difference maker. Sadly, much will be different in these parts for an organization rocked by the recent death of longtime owner Jim Irsay. Detroit Lions: D For those who see water in the glass, DE Aidan Hutchinson is on track to return from the broken leg that prematurely ended a 2024 season in which he seemed destined to win Defensive Player of the Year honors. All-Pro Kerby Joseph also became the league's highest-paid safety with a four-year, $86 million extension. But the injury bug also got an extension, DT Levi Onwuzurike already lost to a season-ending knee injury, and DT Alim McNeill still recovering from a torn ACL. C Frank Ragnow belatedly chose retirement over another season of pain. Rookie DL Tyleik Williams and OL Tate Radledge will need to be ready to play straight away. LB Alex Anzalone also seems to have some wounded pride as he awaits an extension heading into his walk year. But the main issue for this team, which is a bit of a victim of its own recent success, could be the departure of eight assistants, most notably OC Ben Johnson (Bears) and DC Glenn (Jets), both hired to their first head coaching gigs. A team that's gone 27-7 over the past two regular seasons will be severely challenged to maintain its momentum, much less build on it. Miami Dolphins: D A team that's been unable to win games of importance in recent years has been hemorrhaging talent, LT Terron Armstead retiring, Holland leaving during free agency, then Ramsey and Jonnu Smith traded last month. WR Tyreek Hill admits he's (still) working on his professionalism. Maybe first-round DT Kenneth Grant and second-round G Jonah Savaiinaea will provide toughness some have said this team lacks. GM Chris Grier and HC Mike McDaniel don't seem all that well positioned to justify the vote of confidence owner Stephen Ross gave the after last season's 8-9 finish. Cleveland Browns: I (for incomplete) They seem to be playing something of a long game, but it's just too early to know how it ultimately plays out as a team likely destined to finish last in the AFC North straddles the line between rebuilding and trying to remain competitive. They compelled DE Myles Garrett to stick around after making him the first non-QB with a contract averaging $40 million annually (over 4 years). Whether Cleveland should have cashed out on a 29-year-old at the peak of his powers who'd requested a trade earlier in the year remains an open question. After all, the Browns cashed out the No. 2 pick of the draft for a package that included Jacksonville's first-rounder next year. So what are we doing? TBD, which also sums up the team's four-way competition to determine its starting quarterback, a scrum that includes former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco and fifth-round lightning rod Shedeur Sanders. Otherwise? Though GM Andrew Berry passed on the opportunity to pick Hunter, he brought in some very nice players, including DT Mason Graham, LB Carson Schwesinger and battering ram RB Quinshon Judkins – though his availability is currently in limbo after he was recently charged with misdemeanor domestic battery. Pro Bowl LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) is already out for the year. But hey, y'all, the team could be playing in a fancy new stadium in four years … by when we'll know whether keeping Garrett, bypassing Hunter and picking Judkins and Sanders while likely punting on a long-term quarterback solution until 2026 were the correct decisions. All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
4 position battles to watch during Bears training camp
The Chicago Bears are kicking off training camp this week, and there will be no shortage of storylines to monitor this summer. That includes a new of position battles that bear watching, and head coach Ben Johnson sounds excited for the competition. While most of the training camp battles will come at positions that serve as mostly depth purposes, there's one crucial battle happening at left tackle that will be the most intriguing to watch. With Bears training camp getting underway, let's take a look at the top position battles to monitor throughout the summer -- where there are several rookies who could turn heads. Left tackle Backup quarterback Third linebacker Cornerback Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ben Johnson raves about Bears rookie Colston Loveland's work ethic
Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland has been an observer so far in the NFL, but that's all about to change when training camp kicks off. Loveland has officially been cleared to practice, although the Bears will have him ramp up to full action. While Loveland was sidelined from rookie minicamp to OTAs to mandatory minicamp, he's remained involved in the mental aspect of the game. And he's impressed his new head coach Ben Johnson, who had high praise for Loveland's work ethic at this point of his young career. "I can tell you from the moment he's gotten into the building – I'm just blown away by how he approaches everything," Johnson said. "I don't think there's a guy I saw in the building more this summer than him. It's really a credit for who he wants to be as he continues. He's attacking the rehab hard, he wants to be a factor here this fall.' While Loveland has been cleared to practice, the question is when he'll be fully healthy and able to thrive in this offense. Chicago will start Loveland out in a ramp-up period before turning him loose. The good news is he should be full-go before the pads come on. The Bears drafted Loveland with the 10th overall pick, and it's clear that Johnson influenced the decision in some way. Loveland has drawn comparisons to Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, who Johnson helped develop into a stud, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Loveland step into that role in this offense. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Ben Johnson raves about Bears rookie Colston Loveland's work ethic
Chicago Tribune
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
‘This is a race now': As the Chicago Bears begin training camp, Ben Johnson is setting an urgent tone
The first practice of Chicago Bears training camp begins Wednesday morning at Halas Hall — at 8:30 sharp. And for those who haven't been paying close attention to the new dynamics percolating in Lake Forest, you better believe coach Ben Johnson will mean business. Like, right away. Even with the inevitable ramp-up nature of the first week of camp, and with the collectively bargained restrictions on how often and how long teams can practice, Johnson knows there's little time to waste. Every drill needs to be crisp. Every practice rep matters. Every opportunity to grow and improve must be attacked. 'This is a race now,' Johnson emphasized Tuesday afternoon as his team checked into camp. 'Everything is a race. We have to get our fundamentals down. We have to get our execution down. 'This is going to be a challenge — and certainly in the first year with new systems on both sides of the ball. But that's the fun part of it too. That's the challenge we want.' Urgency has become one of the hallmarks of Johnson's program. And that remained obvious Tuesday as players reported, with their new coach publicly vowing to keep his foot on the accelerator. Six months ago, when Johnson walked into Halas Hall, he proclaimed that the Bears should be ready 'to win and win now.' But with that aspiration, there must be a shared mindset among every player and coach who walks onto the practice fields. Perfection isn't expected. Johnson has reiterated that. But purpose is. Quarterback Caleb Williams, who may feel Johnson's intensity and urgency more than anyone over the next six weeks, understands the marching orders. The season opener is just 47 days away. It's a division game too. Prime time against the Minnesota Vikings on 'Monday Night Football' at Soldier Field. Photos: Chicago Bears report to training camp'Obviously you don't look too far ahead,' Williams said. 'But you do understand that you're on a time limit. And so the race is here. 'We can't pout about the long days. When those times do come, we've got to correct that and we've got to move on. And we have to find a way to get past that pouting or the anger or the complaining and understand where we're at and where we need to be.' At the conclusion of minicamp last month, Johnson made a firm declaration about his offense's progress, explaining away a Williams turnover with an admission about the entire unit's currently clunky nature. 'We're not ready for prime time yet,' Johnson said then. 'I think that was loud and clear over the last three weeks of play. But that's to be expected as well.' Truthfully, that overview pertains to the entire team as practice gets underway Wednesday. Not ready for prime time yet. But it's also fair to note that 'prime time' isn't all that far off. Save the date: Sept. 8. And as much of a slow grind as training camp can be, the regular season always has a quick first step and will close in fast. So what will Johnson be looking for over the next six weeks to identify evidence of legitimate progress? 'It's not linear, OK?' he said. 'There are going to be bumps. There are going to be ups and there are going to be downs. And it's easy to have a bad day or two and go ahead and get all panicky. But that's not going to be us. It's going to be a little bit more of (a roller-coaster path).' In the early installation phase of camp, Johnson wants to see how his players are growing mentally and how they are handling all the inevitable mistakes. When joint practices and preseason games arrive next month, a truer progress report will be taken. For Williams specifically, Johnson already has set one statistical target, asking his quarterback to strive to complete 70% of his passes during the season. 'So you would like to think that over the course of practice that we're completing 70% or more,' Johnson said. 'Otherwise that's hard (for that benchmark) to just magically arise in a game. 'It's a lofty goal. But it's one we're going to strive for.' As an extension of that, Williams noted three areas of emphasis he is attacking individually. He's trying to better sync his footwork with the timing of each play. He wants to become more decisive. And learning to take what the defense is giving has become a top priority. '(I'm) not trying to find that big play every time,' he said, 'not being that young cat and wanting to go get that big play, that big scramble play. Sometimes it's just a checkdown of the ball to the flat. Or (hitting) the second read that may not be something more than 5 yards.' All of those things must remain a focus Wednesday morning. And again Thursday, Friday and Saturday. And then into next week and all through August. As a team, the Bears must continue jelling to create an identity as a gritty, persistent group that's willing to grind toward success. 'It's really just pressing on when the excitement dies down,' veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said. 'This first week, it's the acclimation period. It's going to be fun and exciting. Guys are going to be happy to go back to work.' But when the dog days of camp arrive? That's when Jarrett wants to see a team that retains its edge. 'As a whole team — offense, defense, everybody involved — we've got to go through that dirt. We've got to go through that pain.' As an accomplished veteran leader, Jarrett will be one of Johnson's tone setters. Many more will be needed. 'We're going to earn our right to win a lot of games,' Jarrett said. 'And we're going to feel good about it. Because we know, without a doubt, the work is going to be put in.' That unrelenting urgency, though, is non-negotiable. A prerequisite for success. This is a race now. And the starter's pistol just went off.
