The Chicago Bears are in the midst of their final voluntary organized team activity (OTA) running from June 2-4, and with the media at Halas Hall today, we got some updates.
Both defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo and linebacker T.J. Edwards were at practice today, although neither participated in the team portion. Odeyingbo tore his Achilles in November and Edwards broke his ankle in January. Their participation is a positive sign towards them being ready for the season.
Not at practice were nickel Kyler
Gordon, defensive back Cam Lewis, or defensive end Montez Sweat.
Regarding Gordon, head coach Ben Johnson said, “We know he’s a good player when he’s out there, but trust level is a huge thing for this team, for this coaching staff, for the locker room. You can only develop that trust by being available.”
This coaching regime was in place when Gordon’s contract was extended a year ago, so you know they value what he can bring to the table. He just needs to get himself healthy and on the field.
Speaking of Ben, he’s already in midseason form.
Wideout Rome Odunze is another player who battled through injuries in 2025, and while he’s participating, he doesn’t sound like he’s completely comfortable following his rehab.
“This is my new normal,” Odunze said about his recovery, “And it’s not from a standpoint that I’m always in pain, but the way my foot broke, there’s callouses in there that create a different type of foot structure with those bones — different types of things that kind of shift things around. So my new normal is kind of what I am going into.”
I’m not a doctor, but it sounds like he needs to get used to the way his foot feels and trust that it’s healed.
Ben Johnson didn’t sound quite as frustrated by Odunze’s situation as he does with Gordon’s.
“He’s a team player,” Ben said of Rome. “He’s going to lay it out on the line every time he gets on the grass. I think his teammates appreciate that, his coaching staff certainly appreciates that. Hopefully, we can get him 17-plus games this year, and his career will really take off for that.”
After tomorrow’s final voluntary OTA, the next big team activity will be the mandatory minicamp from June 9-11.
