Five storylines to follow as the Chicago Bears return for training camp

The Chicago Bears have officially returned for training camp as the boys in blue and orange gear up for what many fans are hoping should be a promising season ahead. With new faces and old alike, all descending upon Halas Hall, the city gets its first looks at the narratives that could shape the upcoming campaign.

Caleb Williams’ progression

There might be no sport where one singular position, one singular player, has more sway over a team's success than a quarterback for a football team. Bears fans have experienced this all too viscerally over the years, which is why the city has so wholly embraced the exciting and talented Caleb Williams. However, despite the incredible plays and late-game heroics, Williams and the offense floundered for large parts of games last season, struggling to find a rhythm and flow to the aerial attack. 

With Williams, the highs were high, but the lows could be low…and frequent. This season will be all about Williams' ability to take the next step by adding consistency and leadership to his overall game, a progression that remains one of the key drivers for the Bears' success this year.

A defensive line with something to prove

Entering the offseason, most fans were in agreement that the number one area the Bears needed to address was the defensive line. Coming off a year where the team finished 22nd in sacks, 23rd in rushing defense, and 29th in total yards, according to NFL.com; the defensive line stood out as a key weak point that needed to be addressed either through the draft or free agency. The Bears front office felt different. 

While GM Ryan Poles and his staff brought in some promising talent, no major additions at either end or tackle were made. This decision alludes to leadership’s confidence in the existing squad, opening opportunities for the likes of Austin Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, Shemar Turner and maybe even late-round rookie Jordan van den Berg to have breakout seasons.

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The new faces

Several fresh faces arrive at training camp this year, ready to add a new element to an already talented foundation. Defensively, two new safeties join, ready to form what the Bears hope will be a strong secondary partnership for years to come. Coby Bryant arrives from Seattle after a successful Super Bowl-winning season, while Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman was selected with the Bears' first-round draft pick this offseason and is expected to immediately slot in as a starter. Linebacker Devon Bush also joins the linebacker core from Pittsburgh. 

On the offensive side, new centers Garret Bradbury and Logan Jones will compete for first-team reps while second-round pick Zavion Thomas hopes to fill some of the gap left behind by DJ Moore, who was traded to Buffalo.

Offensive line changes

One of the clear strengths from last year's team was its imposing offensive line, led by veteran Joe Thuney and former first-round selection Darnell Wright. Wright just signed a massive new long-term contract and will be joined once again by Jonah Jackson on the right side of the line. However, competition at left tackle after an injury to Ozzy Trapillo late last season and the surprise retirement of center Drew Dalman present some uncertainty that the coaching staff will want to resolve promptly. If the O-line can again be one of the more dominant units in the league, the Bears offense should have a great chance to flourish this season. 

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Managing the hype

With great power comes great responsibility, and with success comes expectation—expectation that Chicago has not had to carry in a long time. The Bears will be one of the most publicized teams this year, with five primetime games, Super Bowl aspirations, and a media darling quarterback; there will be no shortage of spotlight in the 2026-27 campaign. How the organization manages this pressure and blocks out the noise, starting in training camp, may play a big role in how the year progresses. 

The Bears will host the first of their three preseason games at Soldier Field on Saturday, Aug. 15, ahead of their official season opener in Charlotte against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 13.