The Chicago Bears held multiple player press conferences following Day 4 of training camp on Saturday, including pressers with tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Both were selected by Chicago in the 2020 NFL Draft, making them the longest-tenured players on the roster.
Now entering their seventh season with the organization, Kmet and Johnson have experienced many transformations the Bears have undergone over the past six years. From various coaching staffs and quarterbacks to major
roster changes, their perspective offers a unique look at how the team has evolved and why this year’s group feels different.
Both players spoke about those changes during their press conferences.
“It’s a different feel to camp than maybe in years past,” Kmet said. “I’ve spent a lot of my career wondering what’s next and how’s tomorrow going to go. I feel like I kinda know what to expect at this point, especially with this staff, and what they want to get done and what they expect from each individual.”
Kmet pointed to the continuity within the current coaching staff and the clarity of expectations as a major difference compared to previous training camps.
“It’s nice coming in and getting ready for a season understanding how you fit in the scheme of things, and then also the direction of this offense, where we want it go, and the identity we want to forge.”
He described the start of this year’s training camp as “operationally sound.”
Johnson echoed similar sentiments, noting that the changes within the team have translated to the field and are reflected in the confidence and talent he has seen from this year’s group during training camp.
“This is the best offense I’ve had in 7 years, as far as going against them … Caleb’s the best quarterback I’ve had since maybe Nick Foles if you want to go back that far. Just as far as slinging it, he’s doing his thing. You can see the accuracy. You can see the confidence throwing the ball in tight windows.”
He also highlighted the players’ buy-in to the offensive system and the belief the unit has in itself.
Training camp is still in its early stages, and there is still plenty to prove before the Bears take the field for a regular-season game. However, for veterans like Kmet and Johnson, the changes within the team have created a sense that this is a different chapter in Chicago.
