The Bear’s Den, July 24, 2025

Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

WE WANT YOU!

Would you like to show your Chicago Bears spirit to the world? I’m starting a feature where Windy City Gridiron readers can share pictures of themselves and their families and friends in Bears attire. Simply email a picture to me at the following address: denmasterken at aol dot com. The pictures need to be clear, and full resolution (i.e. full size from your phone if that’s how you take them). Include any description information you like along with the photo!

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

DENMASTER KEN’S VIDEO GRAB BAG

BEARRRSSSS

Back from Break: Bears players on how they spent summer vacation - ChicagoBears.com - ChicagoBears.com spoke with five players — Kevin Byard III, Kyler Gordon, DJ Moore, Cairo Santos and Olamide Zaccheaus about how they spent their summers breaks recharging with family and friends.

Grote shares takeaways from Bears' first practice of camp - 670 - On the Rahimi & Harris Show, Score reporter Mark Grote called in from Halas Hall to report on how the Bears’ first practice of training camp went.

Ben Johnson, Bears begin camp with an emphasis on details - 670 - As Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and the first-team offense stepped up to the line of scrimmage early in practice Wednesday morning, they heard a loud yell from behind. Head coach Ben Johnson was already on them.

Bears Training Camp Notes: Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen Set the Tone Right Out of the Gate - BN - Bears head coach Ben Johnson made it clear on Wednesday that anything less than perfection won’t be tolerated.

Mixed bag for Bears’ rookie class on Day 1 of training camp as WR Luther Burden III remains out - Chicago Sun-Times - Meanwhile, tight end Colston Loveland was limited and Ozzy Trapilo got the first shot at starting left tackle.

Bears will lean on Dennis Allen’s experience — and grit — at defensive coordinator - Chicago Sun-Times - The defensive coordinator will have to operate the next few weeks of training camp without cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

Ben Johnson grants Bears’ wish to be coached harder on Day 1 by yanking 1st-string offense off field - Chicago Sun-Times - Johnson grew annoyed with pre-snap snags and sent the second unit in for Caleb Williams and the starters.

Bears TE Cole Kmet: NFLPA scandal ‘really unfortunate’ - Chicago Sun-Times - NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell resigned last week after a series of controversies.

Chicago Bears training camp: Caleb Williams needs to be sharper - Chicago Tribune - When Caleb Williams twice had difficulty getting a play called Wednesday, Ben Johnson yanked the Chicago Bears QB and the first-unit offense from the action.

Bears training camp report: Wednesday, July 23 - ChicagoBears.com - Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is expecting linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to make plays like the one he produced in Wednesday’s first training camp practice, saying: ‘I’m anticipating him being an exceptional playmaker for us.”

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Former Packers’ offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett returns to Green Bay in new role - Acme Packing Company - Everything old is new again

Packers’ Bo Melton will start training camp as a cornerback - Acme Packing Company - GM Brian Gutekunst confirmed that the position switch started in the spring will carry into the summer.

Green Bay Packers’ profits from operations rise 39.3% as NFL teams receive $432.6M from revenue sharing – Chicago Tribune - The Green Bay Packers’ profits from operations rose 39.3% for the 2025 fiscal year, thanks largely to the record $432.6 million it received in national revenue from the NFL.

Lions injury news: Dan Campbell updates timetables for several players - Pride Of Detroit - Dan Campbell gave updated injury timelines for Malcolm Rodriguez, Mekhi Wingo, Khalil Dorsey, and Miles Frazier.

Quay Walker had ankle surgery, Packers hope to activate him in about a week - NBC Sports - The Packers put linebacker Quay Walker on the physically unable to perform list ahead of training camp and General Manager Brian Gutekunst shared an update about when he might be back on the field during a Wednesday press conference.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Bengals plan to play Joe Burrow in preseason more than ever before - NBC Sports - Slow starts to the regular season have been an issue for the Bengals and head coach Zac Taylor shared one part of the team's plan to avoid that in a Wednesday press conference.

Brian Callahan: Cam Ward will take the majority of ones reps, obviously - NBC Sports - It's not a surprise given his draft status, but the Titans are going to use training camp to get No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward ready to be a starter.

Patrick Mahomes: I have to be better at throwing the ball down the field - NBC Sports - Throughout the offseason, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has talked about a need to complete more deep passes to open up the club's offense.

Gabe Jacas Leads Illinois Playoff Push With NFL Buzz Building - rg.org - Illinois star Gabe Jacas is rising on NFL Draft boards as the Illini return 18 starters and push for a College Football Playoff spot in 2025.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Chicago Bears 2025 Position Battles: Are they done adding at defensive end? - Windy City Gridiron - With camp underway, we’re breaking down every position group on the Chicago Bears.

Bears Over Beers: Chicago Bears 2025 Training Camp Extravaganza - Windy City Gridiron - We open Chicago Bears training camp season with a huge show featuring some fun guests.

Chicago Bears make another roster move - Windy City Gridiron - On Wednesday, the Chicago Bears announced that safety Tarvarius Moore was released. There was no corresponding transaction, so Chicago currently has one opening on the 90-man roster.

Chicago Bears hold first training camp practice of the Ben Johnson era - Windy City Gridiron - There were ups and downs, you know, just like every other practice.

Chicago Bears 2025 Position Battles: Any changes to the Special Teams? - Windy City Gridiron - With camp opening this week, we’re breaking down every position group on the Chicago Bears.

Pre-Training Camp Chicago Bears 53-Man Roster Projection - Windy City Gridiron - Who doesn’t like a 53-man roster projection as the start of Training Camp kicks off? Well, maybe that’s a rhetorical question but we’re doing it anyway! Check out who we believe will make the final roster as the fun is just ramping up.

What advice would you give a new fan of the Chicago Bears? - Windy City Gridiron - They walk up to you, all big-eyed and bushy-tailed, their newly minted Caleb Williams jersey noticeably lacking any mustard stains or the faint smell of stale Old Style. Their face is full of...

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE PAGE

2nd City Gridiron is our video home! So hit the link and help us grow that brand!

THE RULES

Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following are not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender-based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.

2nd City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bears Banter hosted by Bill Zimmerman, Bear & Balanced from Jeff Berckes and Lester A. Wiltfong Jr., Bears Over Beers featuring Ryan Droste and Bryan Orenchuk, Making Monsters with Taylor Doll, Bear Bones from Dr. Mason West, The Mac & Read Show from Evan McLean and Ross Read, and an occasional T Formation Conversation from Lester; Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert is another fun one.

Powered by RedCircle

Click on our names to follow our Windy City Gridiron and 2nd City Gridiron teams on Twitter: Gary Baugher Jr.; Jeff Berckes; Dr. Patti Curl; Sarah DeNicolo; Ryan Droste; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Dan Durkin; Taylor Doll; Donald Gooch; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Evan McLean; Dr. Ken Mitchell; Danny Meehan; Bryan Orenchuk; Ross Read: Jack R Salo; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; Khari Thompson; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; T.J. Starman; Khari Thompson; Dr. Mason West; Bill Zimmerman; 2nd City Gridiron; Like WCG on Facebook; Like 2nd City Gridiron on Facebook.

A few of us are also over at Bluesky.

More from windycitygridiron.com: