The Chicago Bears wrapped mandatory minicamp last week at Halas Hall, which marked the beginning of summer break for most players ahead of training camp next month.
There was plenty to unpack from the three-day minicamp (we’ve got Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 takeaways), where new head coach Ben Johnson made minicamp an extension of OTAs. The Bears had perfect attendance (although they were without some key players due to injury). But it was overall a production set of practices ahead of a final set of OTAs for young players and rookies before a six-week break ahead of training camp.
With that in mind, we’re taking a look at the biggest takeaways from Chicago’s three-day minicamp that featured some notable position battles and an offense in training.
Offense remains work in progress (but improving)
Ben Johnson made it clear that the defense had gotten the best of the offense throughout most of the offseason program, which is to be expected at this point. Johnson made it clear that the offense has made strides from the beginning of OTAs to the conclusion of minicamp, but they’re far from where they want to be at the start of the 2025 season. The offense’s best day came on Day 2, where they bested the defense during the two-minute drill that included an impressive 94-yard touchdown drive that culminated in a Caleb Williams touchdown pass to rookie Kyle Monangai. If the final minicamp practice was any indication, we can also expect to see some tricks up Johnson’s sleeve as he had offensive linemen and quarterbacks catching passes from running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.
Ozzy Trapilo, Kiran Amegadjie have real shot to win left tackle job
The Bears overhauled the interior offensive line with the additions of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and center Drew Dalman, but the starting left tackle job is still up for grabs. With incumbent starter Braxton Jones recovering from injury — and expected to be limited to start training camp — second-year pro Kiran Amegadjie and rookie Ozzy Trapilo have gotten a jump start on winning the job. Amegadjie and Trapilo have been rotating with the starting offense throughout OTAs and minicamp, and they’ll have another chance to get ahead in training camp. While it’s hard to judge the offensive line before the pads come on, the media in attendance have had nice things to say about Amegadjie and Trapilo.
Position battles taking shape
Left tackle isn’t the only position battle to watch heading into training camp, and we’re starting to get a glimpse at those other competitions are going to be. That starts with backup quarterback, where veteran journeyman Case Keenum and third-year pro Tyson Bagent will duke it out for the QB2 role behind Caleb Williams. According to the media in attendance, Keenum exclusively has taken the backup reps during minicamp, which could be an indication that it’s his job to lose. Elsewhere, with Jack Sanborn’s departure this offseason, the Bears are looking to fill the third linebacker spot behind T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. It appears to be a battle between two young players in Noah Sewell and rookie Ruben Hyppolite II.
Standout players (according to Ben Johnson)
With the Bears wrapping mandatory minicamp, the offseason program is complete for most players. While the true test will come in training camp next month, head coach Ben Johnson circled back about some players who have stood out to him during the offseason program. Johnson singled out defensive end Dominique Robinson, tight end Joel Wilson, rookie running back Kyle Monangai and rookie linebacker Ruben Hyppolite, who Johnson said is probably the most improved start to finish. Monangai and Hyppolite have the most potential to make an impact this season, as Robinson and Wilson figure to be on the bubble heading into training camp.
Notable absences
Ben Johnson said that the Bears had perfect attendance for mandatory minicamp. While everyone was accounted for “inside the building,” there were a number of players sidelined due to injury. That included cornerback Kyler Gordon, linebacker T.J. Edwards and rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III, who are all dealing with soft tissue injuries. Burden has been sidelined since the conclusion of rookie minicamp, which isn’t encouraging. But the expectation is all three of those players will be ready to go in time for training camp in late July. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland, recovering from shoulder surgery, is expected to be full-go for camp while left tackle Braxton Jones is expected to be limited to start.
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