With the Chicago Bears’ mandatory minicamp in the books, we begin a long, six-week football-less trek on our way toward the upcoming 2026 NFL campaign. So, as we get ready to enjoy the summer, I thought it would be a good time to recap some things we learned from the Bears’ offseason workouts. We’re not going to learn everything we need to know about this Bears team just by watching them practice in May and June, but I definitely think we have some takeaways to make us feel optimistic.
We’re a little more than 24 hours out from the Bears officially wrapping up their offseason workouts, so let’s review some of the things we learned.
Bears 24-Hour Rule
The offense is miles ahead of where it was last year. I’m not saying there won’t be any bumps in the road along the way, but by all indications, Caleb Williams and company are ready to take the next step in year two of Ben Johnson’s system. We’re not hearing anything at all about pre-snap issues. Johnson has said they accomplished several goals they set in minicamp. All reports indicate that (granted, in a limited sample size), minicamp was a smooth operation from an offensive standpoint. For a fanbase that usually has to hear about how far behind the offense is in the offseason/preseason, this is a welcome development.3 takeaways from the Bears mini camp:▪️ The offense is operating much smootherThe operation looks far ahead of where it was last year. Caleb Williams looks more comfortable and in command with the motions, shifts, checks, and communication at the line.It’s still June, but… pic.twitter.com/1EuOX91DF3
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) June 12, 2026 Ben Johnson has a lot of weapons to work with. I’ll admit, while I thought the DJ Moore trade was the right move, I was a little worried about replacing him. It seems that through the draft and free agency, despite losing Moore, the Bears may have upgraded their pass-catcher group. Zavion Thomas has been all the rage so far, whether it’s his speed or his hands, the surprising third-rounder has turned heads. Kalif Raymond looks and sounds like more than just a gadget player. Luther Burden III appears ready to take the next step. Rome Odunze is back on the field. Caleb Williams is boasting about all three of his tight ends being weapons. Even the beat writers are impressed! How Ben Johnson chooses to deploy and use the weapons in his arsenal should be a lot of fun. Ben Likes What He Sees, Offense Clicking, Williams Blossoming, and Other Bears Bullets The lack of news on the offensive line is encouraging. Now, it’s hard to fully judge what the offensive line has looked like since they weren’t wearing pads, so I’m not ready to say there won’t be any dropoff after Drew Dalman’s surprise retirement or Ozzy Trapilo’s injury. However, if either the center or left tackle positions were an issue over mandatory minicamp, we’d have heard about it. We’ll learn a whole lot more when the pads go on in training camp, but right now, no news is good news. Jaylon Johnson is healthy, and that’s a really good thing. Credit to Jaylon Johnson, he tried his best to play through his core muscle injury at the end of the season last year. But clearly, he wasn’t himself. Through mandatory minicamp, Johnson has looked like his old self and came up with a couple of interceptions. Even Ben Johnson mentioned that he’s never seen this version of Jaylon Johnson because he was never really healthy last year. If Jaylon can stay healthy and be the All-Pro cornerback he was before last season, it will be a huge boost to Dennis Allen’s defense, which will need it. Bears CB Jaylon Johnson takes the field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images Montez Sweat is motivated. People can make all the “motivated Dayo Odeyingbo” jokes they want, but Montez Sweat — the Bears’ best defensive lineman — has heard the noise in the offseason and appears ready to try to silence the doubters. No, the defensive line likely won’t be a strength this season. But if Montez Sweat and Austin Booker can stay healthy, I don’t think the EDGE position will be a weakness, either. When both were healthy last year, Sweat had six sacks in nine games. He’s also outstanding against the run. Again, it’s hard to judge line play when the pads aren’t on, but we didn’t hear a whole lot of bad from this group this past week, and I’ll take that as a good thing.Montez Sweat on the perception that the Bears defensive line is the team's weakness: "We hear the chatter…Everybody has an opinion. It’s our job to go out there and do what we have to do. But I hear you."
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) June 10, 2026First day of Bears minicamp just wrapped up. -Lots of talk about get off by DLine this offseason. Not an issue for Montez Sweat who burst off the right edge and chased Caleb Williams to the other field. -Jaylon Johnson was all over the place. Had 2 INTs and a pass breakup…
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) June 9, 2026 Ben Johnson loves Montez Sweat. Sticking with Sweat, Ben Johnson let everyone know how important he believes Sweat is to the defense. This defense will likely go as Montez Sweat does, and he’s going to have a lot on his plate; his head coach believes he’s up to the task. Sweat’s impact doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet (though a 10-sack season is nothing to frown about), but there’s no doubt how important he is and that his head coach values that.Ben Johnson with some praise for DE Montez Sweat …"I loved him during the season — but when you watch the self-scout after the year, I think this was a guy who played at a very high level. I talked to him yesterday about, hey, I would argue it was the best year of his career.…
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) June 10, 2026 Ben Johnson has changed the culture at Halas Hall. While Ben Johnson had glowing things to say about Montez Sweat, Sweat was also speaking highly of his new head coach. Sweat is a veteran who’s been around many coaching staffs throughout his career. He admitted that while he was skeptical of Johnson when he came in last year, Johnson made all the difference for last year’s team. And of course he did. We knew after last season the culture was changed, but hearing a veteran like Montez Sweat talk this way about his head coach really confirms that not only is there a new culture at Halas Hall, but the tone has been set by the head coach, and he has been the ultimate difference-maker.Montez Sweat when asked what made the difference in 2025 for the Bears: “Ben.”Sweat adds that “everything was really about winning. If it wasn’t about winning it was nonexistent.”? pic.twitter.com/kl1vqPZtdt
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) June 10, 2026 Cairo Santos might have added some leg strength. Bears fans, myself included, were hard on Santos last season, and rightfully so after the awful start. However, he righted the ship in the second half of the season, made some massive kicks, and at least through minicamp, he appeared to add a little leg power. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported that Santos closed out minicamp with a 58-yarder followed by a 60-yarder through a crosswind. If Santos becomes a consistent threat from 55-60, that’s a huge upgrade for the Bears’ offense and special teams. I’m ready for football. I like the slow part of the football calendar sometimes. Summer is fun, and there’s no better city this time of the year in the world than Chicago. However, as much as I appreciate the slow news cycle and more free time to go play golf, I miss watching the Bears strap it up and take the field on Sundays. I’ll enjoy the next six or so weeks, but I’m ready to watch Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson, and company take the field this fall.Hence then, the article about bears 24 hour rule limited samples this summer provide plenty of reason for exictement was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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