General manager Ryan Poles spoke to the media Tuesday at Halas Hall, shortly after the Bears reached the 53-man roster limit. Here are seven things we learned:

(1) While acknowledging that Caleb Williams experienced some growing pains in training camp, Poles believes that the second-year quarterback has made significant strides and will continue to improve while working with coach Ben Johnson.

"There were some up and down moments, which was expected when a new system is coming in and it's not easy; there are no wristbands," Poles said. "There's some foundational work that he had to work through as well, so there's some growing pains that happened. But I know when I put the whole timeline together starting from when he walked on campus from last year to this year, there's been a ton of growth there. And I notice when you get into game weeks and dial in, that speed of playing and being efficient should increase as we go.

"I know they loaded him up and they were really hard on him, which is going to be great for his development. And I know that he'd rather go through that tough time in order to have success later. I think we'll build off of this and it will be good."

(2) The upgrades the Bears made to their offensive line during the offseason have been evident to Poles.

The GM revamped the interior line in March by trading for Pro Bowl guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and signing top free agent center Drew Dalman.

"I'm proud of our whole [personnel] group for putting that thing together," Poles said. "I'm proud of the guys for working the way they have, and even [coaches] Dan Roushar and Kyle DeVan, the time they've put in with those guys, you could see that. I even think that KC [preseason] game was pretty good in terms of how they held up. The pocket was pretty strong.

"We've seen in the run game, really through training camp, you can see hip-to-hip, four numbers getting movement, and that's something we have to be good at to have success on offense this year, and I felt like you could see that throughout training camp and in the preseason games."

While the Bears have yet to name a starting left tackle, all four individuals who have competed for the job—Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie—made the initial 53-man roster. Additional reserve linemen include Ryan Bates and Luke Newman.

"[I] feel really good about that position now," Poles said. "That backup group has versatility, upside. Guys can plug in right now and play and there's a couple guys that, over the course of the year, should continue to get better to help us in the future this year or even down the road. We're in good shape there."

(3) Poles remains hopeful that Jaylon Johnson will be able to return from a soft tissue injury that he sustained before training camp and play in Week 1.

The sixth-year cornerback was activated off the non-football injury list Tuesday, making him eligible to open the season Sept. 8 against the Vikings.

"We're taking that really day-to-day," Poles said, "When I was going out to practice, he was running and doing agility work, so I feel like he's getting better.

"When you're going from not playing and just training to football, there are all kinds of different things that kind of change timelines, so we're hopeful that he continues to get better. But we also have to be smart to make sure he's good long-term as well. We'll just take that day-by-day and really work with our medical staff to make sure we're doing right by Jaylon."

(4) Poles is confident in the front four's ability to generate a pass rush.

"I think this was the best training camp Montez Sweat's had," Poles said. "He's in really good shape, ready to go. I think [Gervon] Dexter is ready to make a move. And then when you put those guys together with Grady [Jarrett] – he's been a great addition, not only on the field but his leadership – that whole group is really lifted in terms of their play and their mentality.

"And then with [defensive coordinator] Dennis [Allen], I'm sure there's things we haven't even seen yet in terms of him helping and enhancing and creating confusion to get to the quarterback."

(5) Two position groups that exceeded Poles' expectations in training camp were the receivers and linebackers.

Poles singled out receivers Olamide Zaccheaus, a veteran who excelled in his first camp with the Bears, rookie second-round pick Luther Burden III and undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker, who impressed all summer.

"Just the way Zaccheaus has played, he's been outstanding," Poles said. "Luther has taken huge steps, like he's just starting. When I think of Jahdae, when I think of Theo [Benedet], where they are today, I mean the discussion was developmental and then they kind of put themselves a little bit ahead of that curve."

It was difficult for Poles to waive receiver Tyler Scott, a 2023 fourth-round pick, but said "we have to stay true to competition and true to talent, not where guys were drafted. I'm proud of that. I'm proud of our group and with the development of [Walker], he earned it."

At linebacker, Poles lauded 2023 fifth-round selection Noah Sewell and rookie fourth-round choice Ruben Hyppolite II.

"Noah Sewell has made huge strides to come in and compete for that starting SAM position," Poles said. "He got himself in shape, got right. [He had a] choppy start to his career, which shows you, like some of these guys, it's going to take a few years. The NFL, it's no joke and you've got to get yourself right to compete.

"Hyppolite's been flying around and has pressed to be one of the top guys in that room too. So that's another [position group] that was ahead of whatever I thought it was going to be."

(6) D'Andre Swift was the only running back on the 53-man roster healthy enough to practice Tuesday, but Poles is confident that Roschon Johnson and Kyle Monangai will return from their injuries sooner rather than later.

"I feel good about their timelines," Poles said. "Kyle's coming along. Over the next few days, you'll probably see the practice field look a little different. I've got a lot of faith those guys will be ready to go [for the season opener]. If they're not, we'll still look out and see if there's guys that can help us. With Ben's creativity, who knows who will be lined up back there."

(7) Rookie cornerback Zah Frazier, a fifth-round pick from Texas-San Antonio, was placed on the non-football list and will miss the entire season.

Frazier sat out all of training camp due to a personal issue.

"As we dug into it, tried to help him out, it revealed itself as something that happened before he got here," Poles said. "So credit to our staff finding the root cause of what he was going through.

"He'll be down for the year, but he'll spend the time going to meetings, in the weight room, and with the medical staff to prepare for next season to get ready to play. So, kind of a bummer on the front end, but I think because of everyone's hard work and care here, we got him on the right path."