Larry Mayer Profile

More than 30 former Bears players participated in the team's annual alumni golf outing Monday at The Club at Strawberry Creek in Kenosha, Wis.

Bears receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Cole Kmet both displayed their playmaking ability in Thursday's training camp practice, hauling in downfield passes from quarterback Justin Fields while surrounded by defenders.

After three underwhelming seasons with the Patriots, receiver N'Keal Harry joins the Bears with a large chip on his shoulder, determined to prove he can be a dominant NFL player.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses who stood out in the Bears' first training camp practice, how much of a boost veteran offensive linemen Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield will provide and whether it's better to have the NFL's No. 1 offense or defense.

After reporting to training camp Tuesday and participating in the first practice Wednesday, veteran defensive end Robert Quinn told reporters that he wants to continue playing for the Bears.

The Bears kicked off training camp with a non-contact 80-minute practice Wednesday, beginning a five-day ramp-up period required by the NFL in advance of their first padded workout Tuesday.

The Bears added depth and experience to their offensive line this week by signing Michael Schofield and Riley Reiff, two established veterans who will help create competition in training camp.

The Bears on Wednesday placed LB Roquan Smith and DE Sam Kamara on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and put CB Michael Joseph, S Dane Cruikshank and WR Tajae Sharpe on the non-football injury list (NFI).

Bears quarterback Justin Fields is motivated not by what others think he can or can't do, but by his love for a game he's played since he was a child. Said Fields: "I just want to be great. This is my life."

With Bears veterans reporting to Halas Hall Tuesday, GM Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus spoke to the media about expectations for training camp, the status of Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith and much more.

The Bears on Tuesday signed rookie second-round pick Jaquan Brisker, a safety from Penn State. With Brisker in the fold, all 11 of the Bears' 2022 draft picks are now under contract.

The Bears on Tuesday added a veteran offensive lineman for the second straight day, signing tackle Riley Reiff to a one-year deal. Reiff has played 10 NFL seasons with the Lions, Vikings and Bengals.

The Bears will kick off Enjoy Illinois Training Camp Tuesday when veterans report to Halas Hall, joining their rookie teammates who arrived Saturday. The first practice is slated for Wednesday.

The top storylines to watch on the defense this summer include the ongoing transition to a 4-3 scheme and the emergence of young pass rushers, such as third-year pro Trevis Gipson.

The Bears on Sunday announced the unveiling of a new alternate orange helmet that they'll wear during two games this season, Oct. 13 against the Commanders at Soldier Field and Oct. 30 versus the Cowboys in Dallas.

The Bears' special teams are led by Cairo Santos, who has eclipsed Robbie Gould as the most accurate kicker in franchise history, having made 89.1 percent of his field goals (57 of 64).

Bears top draft picks Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker have joined returning veterans Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson to bolster a promising young secondary.

The Bears' linebacking corps will once again be led by five-year veteran Roquan Smith, who has been voted second-team All-Pro each of the past two seasons.

Third-year pro Trevis Gipson, who moves from outside linebacker to defensive end in the Bears' new 4-3 defense, will look to pick up this year where he left off last year when he emerged as a key playmaker.

The top storylines to watch in the Bears offense in training camp this summer include the continuing development of promising young quarterback Justin Fields, who looks to take a big leap from Year 1 to 2.

The most intriguing battles for starting jobs in training camp are expected to be waged at both offensive tackle positions, with three young players among those vying for two spots.

The lone returning tight end on the Bears roster, Cole Kmet will look to build on his performance last season when he more than doubled his rookie year output with 60 catches for 612 yards.

The Bears on Wednesday acquired receiver N'Keal Harry from the Patriots in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round draft pick. Neal has appeared in 33 games with New England over three seasons, catching 57 passes for 598 yards and four TDs.

Ascending star Darnell Mooney—whose 142 receptions are the most by a Bears player in his first two NFL seasons—returns to lead a receiving corps that was bolstered by free agency, the draft and a trade.

Running back is arguably the Bears' deepest position heading into training camp, featuring starter David Montgomery, backup Khalil Herbert and rookie sixth-round pick Trestan Ebner.

Former Bears punter/tight end Bob Parsons passed away last Friday at the age of 72. Selected by the Bears in the fifth round of the 1972 draft, Parsons played his entire 12-year NFL career in Chicago.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the Bears rookie who could make the biggest impact, an under-the-radar signing who could emerge as a regular contributor and the last time the Bears played four of their last five games at home.

After taking second-team reps as a rookie last summer, Justin Fields will look to pick up in training camp where he left off in offseason practices as the Bears' undisputed starting quarterback.

ESPN fantasy football experts are predicting big things for three Bears' skill-position players this season: quarterback Justin Fields, receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Cole Kmet.

Tickets for all Bears 2022 public training camp dates are on sale now. Fans can select up to four tickets per event date, based on availability.

ESPN has selected defensive end Trevis Gipson as the Bears' most underrated player. Last season he registered 39 tackles, 7.0 sacks, seven tackles-for-loss and five forced fumbles.

During a recent visit back home to Macon County in central Georgia, Bears All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith conducted a football camp for about 200 kids and had his high school number retired.

Bears fifth-round pick Braxton Jones, a left tackle from Southern Utah, hopes to pick up in training camp where he left off in offseason practices when he worked with the No. 1 offense.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discussed whether Cairo Santos is the most accurate kicker in Bears history, a player who will have a breakout season and if it's been decided how much starters will play in preseason games.

Bears third-round pick Velus Jones Jr., a receiver from Tennessee, is buoyed by the faith that veteran teammates have in him and is determined to emerge as a playmaker as a rookie.

The Bears on Saturday signed top 2022 draft pick Kyler Gordon, a cornerback from Washington, to a four-year contract. The team now has 11 of its 12 draft selections under contract.

Bears second-round pick Jaquan Brisker appears to be making a smooth transition from college football to the NFL due in part to what he experienced the past three years at Penn State.

Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham was thankful to speak at the second annual Ozzie Newsome General Manager Forum this week in Los Angeles, an event named after his mentor.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses whether rookie Braxton Jones will be ready to start at left tackle in Week 1, how cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. has fared in practice and the passing of longtime Bears reporter John Mullin.

After the Bears concluded their offseason program with a final minicamp practice last Thursday, coach Matt Eberflus delivered an important message to players about staying in shape.

The Bears will host 2022 Enjoy Illinois Chicago Bears Training Camp at Halas Hall in Lake Forest from July 26 through Aug. 21. During that span, 11 practices will be open to the public.

The Bears on Tuesday signed cornerback Jayson Stanley and placed guard Dakota Dozier on injured reserve. Stanley, 25, has appeared in eight NFL games, all as a reserve with the Seahawks in 2020.

The Bears commemorated the 52nd anniversary of former running back Brian Piccolo's passing by having all their players wear No. 41 at practice and welcoming his family to Halas Hall for a special visit.

Coach Matt Eberflus is confident that some of the Bears' young defensive players will excel in a scheme that relies on technique, fundamentals and player/coach relationships.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the Bears' most underrated player, how rookie receiver Velus Jones Jr. has looked in practice and if Teven Jenkins could be moved from tackle to guard.

After training together in Atlanta earlier this offseason, Bears quarterback Justin Fields and receiver Darnell Mooney continue to push and challenge each other on and off the field.

Kicking off their mandatory minicamp with the first of three practices Tuesday, the Bears continued to experiment with their offensive line. That, and more news from Halas Hall.

The Bears on Monday signed veteran nose tackle Mike Pennel and released linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu.

The Bears have added six college coaches to Matt Eberflus' staff for minicamp and training camp as part of the NFL's Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.

More comfortable entering his second NFL season, Bears quarterback Justin Fields has been impressing coaches and teammates with the leadership he's demonstrated during offseason practices.

Instead of conducting their final OTA practice of the offseason Thursday, Bears players, coaches and staff bused to Wrigley Field for a team-bonding excursion.

As they've done all offseason, the Bears on Wednesday continued to experiment with players at different positions, lining up rookie fifth-round pick Braxton Jones with the starting unit at left tackle.

The Bears returned to the practice field Wednesday after being forced to cancel Tuesday's workout due to violating a CBA rule that prohibits live contact in OTAs.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the Bears' best comeback victory, the unquestioned leader of the Bears defense and if the Bears can sign USFL players.

After being cancelled each of the past two years due to COVID-19, the annual Bears Care Gala returned to Soldier Field Saturday night.

Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham and defensive coordinator Alan Williams were honored to participate in the inaugural NFL Coach and Front Office Accelerator Program at the Spring League Meeting.

The Bears lost one of their longest-tenured employees earlier this week when Joe Krajniak passed away at the age of 83. A groundskeeper assistant, Krajniak had worked with the team since 1988.

Former NFL running back Marion Barber, who spent the final season of his seven-year pro career with the Bears in 2011, has passed away at the age of 38.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses expectations for second-year receiver Dazz Newsome, where former Bears players would be drafted today and the longest pass in team history.

As Bears director of team logistics and business processes liaison, Simon Gelan works with virtually every department in Halas Hall and sees himself as "a problem solver and a support system for the players, coaches and staff."

Fully recovered from a back injury that forced him to miss the first 11 games of his rookie year, a slimmed-down Teven Jenkins is determined to show a new Bears regime that he can thrive in the NFL.

Through the Bears rookie minicamp and first five OTA practices, top draft picks Kyler Gordon—a cornerback from Washington—and Jaquan Brisker—a safety from Penn State—have excelled in a vital aspect of the game.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus has been impressed with Justin Fields throughout the offseason program, but one aspect of the young quarterback's game has stood out above everything else.

Having studied his playbook since the start of the offseason program April 4, tight end Cole Kmet is excited about the role he envisions playing in the Bears' new offense.

Signed in March, Khari Blasingame is the first true fullback on the Bears roster since Michael Burton in 2018. But Blasingame isn't an old-school fullback who can only contribute as a lead blocker. 

Cornerback Jaylon Johnson has emerged as one of the Bears' top ascending young players. But with a new coaching staff taking over, he feels like he has to prove himself all over again.

Veteran center Lucas Patrick is enjoying serving as the offensive lineman with a nasty demeanor the Bears were seeking during the offseason, saying: "It's definitely a challenge and I'm loving it."

Bears general manger Ryan Poles on Thursday announced several promotions involving the team's scouting staff and football administration department.

Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham and defensive coordinator Alan Williams will attend the inaugural NFL Coach and Front Office Accelerator Program early next week in Atlanta.

Speaking to the media, Bears offensive position coaches discussed running back David Montgomery's determination to improve, receiver Darnell Mooney's hunger and more.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the importance of team captains, the best players drafted by the Bears after the seventh round and if this year's Week 14 bye is the latest in Bears history.

The ball skills that second-round pick Kyler Gordon demonstrated at Washington were on display during the Bears' first two OTA practices Monday and Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday at Halas Hall, three individuals who have been working closely with Justin Fields raved about the Bears' second-year quarterback.

The Bears on Tuesday signed third-round pick Velus Jones Jr., an explosive receiver and return specialist, to a four-year contract. The team has now signed nine of its 11 draft choices.

ESPN analyst Matt Bowen thinks that the Bears and second-round pick Jaquan Brisker, a safety from Penn State, are a perfect fit, likening Brisker's playing style to Bills All-Pro safety Micah Hyde.

The Bears on Tuesday signed tackle Shon Coleman and waived punter Ryan Winslow. Coleman, 30, has appeared in 23 NFL games with 16 starts in two seasons with the Browns in 2016-17.

Veterans and rookies practiced together for the first time Monday as the Bears conducted the first of nine voluntary OTA workouts at Halas Hall.

The Bears on Monday signed sixth-round draft pick Zachary Thomas, a tackle from San Diego State, to a four-year contract. Thomas is the eighth of the Bears' 11 draft picks to sign his rookie contract.

Bears preseason and regular-season single-game tickets and suites for the 2022 season are on sale now.

The Bears' 2022 schedule, which was released Thursday at 7 p.m. (CT), features three prime-time games, 13 noon kickoffs and the most regular-season home contests in franchise history (9).