The Bears practiced without pads for the third straight day and the first time in front of their fans Friday at Halas Hall. Here's what transpired:
Last season the Bears rallied to win seven games they trailed in the final 2:00 of the fourth quarter, the most by an NFL team since at least 1970.
The NFC North champions were not as successful at the end of the second period, however, ranking 27th in the NFL with 29 points in the last 2:00 of the first half.
During the offseason, coach Ben Johnson identified that area of the game as one that the Bears must improve in 2026.
"It's a huge point of emphasis for us," he said. "We were not good two-minute/end of half. We weren't very good in the second quarter in general. We didn't score as many points as the other quarters. We gave up more points in that quarter as well."
The 2025 Bears outscored their opponents in the first (102-61), third (92-87) and fourth (148-124) periods, but had a minus-50-point differential (143-93) in the second.
"Anytime you put emphasis on something, you normally see good things happen because of it," Johnson said. "Our guys understand how important that is. It's a way for us to possibly steal a possession through the course of the game if we handle the before-half procedure correctly. And of course, we want some more momentum going into halftime as well than what we did [last season]."
The Bears discussed the end-of-first-half scenario Thursday night and worked on it in Friday's practice, producing exactly the kind of results that Johnson expects.
Beginning a drive at their own 39 with the score tied 10-10 and 1:37 to play in the half, Caleb Williams marched the offense the length of the field. The third-year quarterback completed three passes to tight end Colston Loveland in a four-play span, capped by a 14-yard touchdown on first-and-goal from the 5.
"Anytime we score the ball at the end of half, that's big for us," said right tackle Darnell Wright. "Something we really need to work on. Something that we really need to improve on from last year. It's good that we are starting that and getting better."
"I just think it's execution," added left tackle Braxton Jones. "We made a clear emphasis on getting better there. And what the O-line can do better in those situations is doing our job, communicating as an O-line. When we're getting the funky looks at the end of the half, where they're trying to get us, being real cerebral and understanding of the looks we're getting and then communicating on the low-end side, and then just having each other's back. Something might go wrong in those situations. Being able to come back and have a straight face and just get the next play and keep on rolling."
Catch this
Loveland had a productive day, catching three TD passes from Williams, including two in a red-zone drill. The second-year tight end also made an impressive tumbling grab downfield with a defender draped all over him.
"He's got a lot of versatility," said linebacker D'Marco Jackson. "He's a good route runner. I feel like he's really good at his catch point, his radius. He's a good all-around player and I feel like he's going to be a challenge in camp to keep working with and good preparation for the season."
The loudest reaction from the crowd Friday came when receiver Rome Odunze reached high to pluck a pass out of the air over the middle. Receiver Jahdae Walker also impressed with a diving catch on a throw from backup quarterback Tyson Bagent near the sideline.
Blessed to be here
After making the most of expanded playing time late last season with the Bears, Jackson signed a two-year contract in March to remain in Chicago.
"I'm blessed to be here," he said. "I'm glad they brought me back to be a part of what coach Johnson's building here. We're out there right now, we're building a foundation. It's really a lot of grit and hard work taking place, a lot of work being put in."
The Bears claimed Jackson off waivers from the Saints last Aug. 27. He played primarily on special teams until injuries pushed him to the top of the depth chart. In Jackson's first NFL start, he recorded a career-high 15 tackles in a 31-28 win over the Steelers. Three weeks later he was named NFC defensive player of the week after registering his first pro sack and interception in a 31-3 rout of the Browns.
"Going from my situation last year from New Orleans being cut, you're just grateful to be in this league," Jackson said. "So, I'm grateful to come in the locker room and work with these guys and to be here."
Jackson was selected by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2022 draft out of Appalachian State. After spending his rookie season on injured reserve, he appeared in 17 games in 2023 and 10 contests in 2024 with New Orleans, all as a reserve who contributed primarily on special teams.
Jackson made a smooth transition with the Bears in part because he was familiar with the defense and coordinator Dennis Allen, who was Saints head coach in Jackson's first two seasons.
"There are guys like that every year that you really don't know a whole lot about and they end up helping you win ballgames," Johnson said. "Certainly, he did in a critical stretch of the season a year ago. I didn't have a history with him; DA did and that helped. DA knew him, he knew the scheme, he knew the defense, so he was able to hit the ground running from that regard. He was a vital part of what we were doing on special teams as well.
"It didn't take long just to see how he was in the building, how he communicated with his teammates, to know that he was going to be a great fit for who we are and what we do. And I think he's got a little attitude to him. I love his demeanor, his approach. He's a Carolina boy, too, so you got that shared bond. But I can't say enough good things about D'Marco."
Familiar face
Former Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long attended press conferences and practice Friday, representing CBS Sports. (He was recently named a studio co-host for "The NFL Today," joining James Brown, Bill Cowher, Nate Burleson and Russell Wilson).
Selected by the Bears with the 20th pick in the first round of the 2013 draft, Long spent seven seasons in Chicago, earning Pro Bowl invitations in each of his first three years.
