Chicago Bears Have Their Most Physical Practice Yet

After a low-impact walk-through practice at Stevenson High School yesterday, the Chicago Bears were back at Halas Hall for what head coach Ben Johnson called a “big time practice” today. The plan was to simulate the pregame for all the new guys and have plenty of live scrimmage situations, starting with some short-yardage and goal-line packages.

According to CHGO’s Adam Jahns, “The first offense had its way in those periods, especially running to the right side behind 58 and 73.”

The Bears were among the league’s best last year, running right towards guard Jonah Jackson (73) and tackle Darnell Wright (58), and I expect that to continue in 2026.

Jahns also shouted out D’Andre Swift in the short-yardage situations, and he shared that rookie defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg was with the first string during their goal-line/short-yardage packages.

The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs also highlighted the first team offense, saying they “ripped off big plays in short yardage – third and 1 – with runs of 29 and 25 yards and an 8-yard completion off a bootleg.” But he also mentioned the other side of the ball, saying the “Defense responded to close things out in end of game scenario.”

Biggs shared another defensive play. “Dontae Manning with a big hit on Roschon Johnson to force a fumble that Jon Rhattigan recovered for a safety in backed up period.”

WGN’s Eli Ong spotlighted a defensive standout by writing that “Devin Bush made the play of the day so far… He picked off Tyson Bagent on a play where Bagent wanted to go short, and the RB kept running. Bush returned it from just outside the red zone all the way inside the opposite 20.”

And one about the third phase from the Bear Report’s Zack Pearson, “Special teams drill was heated as they went 1 on 1 in blocking. Jahdae Walker was a big winner and let everyone know after each rep.”

A few other nuggets from the day.

Bad weather again forced the Bears to not allow fans to attend.

Jedrick Wills Jr. started with the ones at left tackle, with Kiran Amegadjie rotating in towards the end of practice. (link)

Linebacker T.J. Edwards, who had only been doing drills, got in plenty of work today and “looked good.” (link)

There were conflicting reports about why Cam Lewis left the field on a cart (injured or just a quick ride), but regardless, Biggs said he returned. (link)

Corner Tyrique Stevenson was not on for the final team period, but no one knew if it was injury-related. Malik Muhammad, who had been running with the ones at nickelback, kicked outside for Stevenson.

Linebacker Tony Fields was shaken up after a big hit and was carted off.

UDFA safety Skyler Thomas picked off Bagent in a drill. (link)

No Montez Sweat, Braxton Jones, Jaylon Jones, Zavion Thomas, Luke Newman, Luther Burden, Terell Smith, or D’Marco Jackson per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, who also had a good recap here.

Not many videos from the day, so here are the press conferences.