The Chicago Bears had their second training camp practice early this morning, but before the players took the field, head coach Ben Johnson met the media. It was another solid press conference, but the part that caught my ear was when he was asked about his principles in calling an offense and if he had a run-pass ratio in mind for the Bears.
He gave the type of answer you’d expect from a top-tier play caller.
“No. No. There are not,” Johnson said. “Every game is its own entity. That’s what I learned.
I saw it for a number of years when I was in Miami. The New England Patriots were really the top of the league for so long, and each week, you just didn’t know. Offense and defense, they just continued to morph, and they had their opponents guessing. You didn’t know what [Bill] Belichick was gonna pull out front-wise or coverage-wise on defense. You didn’t know what [offensive coordinator Josh] McDaniels was gonna do. He might throw it 50 times, he might run it 50 times.”
“And standing from afar, seeing how dominant that was, I think that’s a really good tactic to have. That’s something I would like to do here as well. The elements play a role. Our talent plays a role. Who we’re going against plays a role. It all plays a piece in the puzzle, and that’s what’s fun about each game week.”
He also gave an update on rookie wideout Luthur Burden III, saying he was day to day with a soft tissue injury. There was a follow-up question, and he again stated that he believed the injury was truly day-to-day. Fellow rookie Shemar Turner (DT) has an ankle injury, and rookie corner Zah Frazier has been excused from practice for personal reasons.
Also, corner Jaylon Johnson, who is on the NFI list, is at Halas Hall rehabbing.
Now for some Tweets from the beat.
Couple of observations from Bears practice No. 2:
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) July 24, 2025
-Braxton Jones got the reps with the 1s during install, still in a ramp up (not doing team drills)
-Kiran Amegadjie was with the 1st at left tackle during 11-on-11; Ozzy Trapilo with the 2s (swapped from yesterday)
-Tyson Bagent…
Couple of observations from Bears practice No. 2:
-Braxton Jones got the reps with the 1s during install, still in a ramp up (not doing team drills)
-Kiran Amegadjie was with the 1st at left tackle during 11-on-11; Ozzy Trapilo with the 2s (swapped from yesterday)
-Tyson Bagent was QB2 today, Case Keenum was QB3
-Couple issues that had to be corrected for the 1st team offense with huddle procedure/getting lined up
-Ian Wheeler and Kyle Monangai might have to have a race to see who’s faster. Both had moments where they turned on the jets today, including a long run from Monangai during team.
-Caleb Williams continues to do a lot of work under center
-No guardian cap for Jaquan Brisker at practice. Meant to ask about this during the spring when he spoke for the first time since his concussion. Some DBs, WRs are wearing them, not all.
Practice ended this morning with newly signed CB Tre Fowers putting a big hit on WR Olamide Zaccheaus.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) July 24, 2025
Zaccheaus was down for a bit before getting up. Camp gets physical and it's a grind but without pads on, I'm guessing this is the kind of play the #Bears hope to avoid.
Kevin Byard says Ben Johnson has, "as the young guys call it... Aura" #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) July 24, 2025
#Bears WR Rome Odunze goes through a drill w/ a cameo by DJ Moore. #DaBears pic.twitter.com/7vGVT1SEQb
— Josh Buckhalter (@JoshGBuck) July 24, 2025
Bears S Kevin Byard says under Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen "everyone is getting pushed to compete every single day." The intensity of practices have already been different than last season.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) July 24, 2025
Interesting hearing Ben Johnson talk about the outside perception of the #Bears' running back room and that it isn't the most talented unit in the world.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) July 24, 2025
Johnson said his running backs "like to hear that noise."
Best thing I saw at #Bears camp today was a long run by rookie RB Kyle Monangai with a juke near the end zone.
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) July 24, 2025
No photos allowed during that period, so …. pic.twitter.com/5Tb9Pd3gIU
D'Andre Swift on what he's seen from rookie RB Kyle Monangai, including a big run at the end of practice Thursday: "Great addition. He don’t really lack anything from what I’m seeing. Confident in his style of play, real low to the ground, great catching the ball out of the…
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) July 24, 2025
"He's been balling. He had a lot of turnovers in Spring." - #Bears safety Kevin Byard on Nahshon Wright.
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) July 24, 2025
Wright has been DB2 with Jaylon Johnson out.
Antwaan Randle El is the ultimate hype man pic.twitter.com/ck38FwGyjA
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 24, 2025
I’ll end with some wise words from former NFL player and soon-to-be TV analyst, JJ Watt, from a recent social media post.
Training Camp “stats” are insane and ridiculous.
Used to think it was always just people joking, but now seeing them seriously reported.
You have no idea what the purpose of that period is, what the goals are, what the context is, etc.
It could be a strictly 3rd & Long blitz period where every play is skewed to the defense's advantage. Coaches could be asking the QB to focus specifically on one route concept. DLine may be focusing only on bull rushes one day or just speed rushes for one period.
More importantly, practice is for practicing. You’re supposed to fail. You’re supposed to try new things, see what works and what doesn’t work, etc. If you only do what works, you’ll never grow, adapt, change.
The entire point of training camp is to build and grow towards the season so that you perform your best when the real games start.
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