The Bears conducted their 11th training camp practice and sixth in pads Tuesday at Halas Hall. Here's what transpired:
Coach Ben Johnson set the tone during Tuesday's team meeting and the Bears responded with their most physical training camp practice in years.
"He let us know early this morning that's what he wanted today," said cornerback Nahshon Wright. "Coach is demanding physicality. That's going to be our identity."
The intensity level was ratcheted up with live tackling drills, which resulted in hard hits, chirping, and chippiness that led to multiple scuffles.
Wright revealed that there was only one live period scheduled for the workout, but that session ignited players on both sides of the ball—especially with an emphasis being placed on running plays.
"There's a switch you turn on," Wright said. "As soon as you tell somebody we're going live, it's hard to dial back, so it just became live practically the whole practice."
"I feel like that's [how] we should practice like every day," added cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. "That's the message the team shot to us, the coaching staff and everybody, that's what we need to see out there every day to be a championship defense and championship offense. Moving forward, that's what we want to see at practice."
Johnson hinted at what was to come when he met with the media before the workout, saying: "It will be a good, physical practice. This is a big one for us. I'm really expecting big things here from our guys."
In the trenches
The first live period was a goal-line drill. Carrying on three straight plays from the 2 for the No. 1 offense, running back Roschon Johnson scored two touchdowns after getting stopped by linebacker T.J. Edwards on a big hit in the hole.
The second unit followed by scoring a TD on quarterback Tyson Bagent's 2-yard pass to tight end Joel Wilson in the left corner of the end zone. The No. 3 offense was stopped on one play as defensive tackle Jonathan Ford knifed into the backfield and dropped running back Ian Wheeler for a two-yard loss.
Top plays
Quarterback Caleb Williams and receiver Rome Odunze teamed up to generate the offensive highlight of the day with a long TD pass down the left sideline.
The only takeaway in team drills came when safety Tysheem Johnson intercepted a deflected pass thrown by quarterback Case Keenum.
To be determined
Focused on Friday's joint practice with the Dolphins, Johnson has not yet decided how much starters will play in Sunday's preseason opener versus Miami at Soldier Field.
"To be determined," Johnson said. "I'm going to visit with the staff [Wednesday] and finalize that. I need to talk to [Dolphins] coach [Mike] McDaniel tonight and just make sure we're on the same page with what Friday looks like. We've already had those discussions, but just nail that down—and then we'll be on to the game on Sunday after that. But first things first: we're focused on this practice and then we'll make a decision on starters; who's playing what, how long and all that."
Ready to multitask
Sunday will mark the first time that Johnson calls offensive plays while also managing a game as a head coach.
"We've done a lot behind the scenes with our walkthrough settings that both educate the players and allow the coaching staff to get on the same page with what's going on and what some of the words mean," Johnson said. "Once you get into crunch time and the guns are going off, you have to make sure that one word tells everybody what's going on.
"It has been a learning process because it's our first year doing it all together. The guys have handled it really well so far, but we're going to put ourselves in those situations as much as we can, whether it's a walkthrough or full-speed practice, and that's really why I'm excited about these preseason games, is that it's actually going to occur organically."
Hybrid running game
With the Bears completing their last of 12 installations on offense Tuesday, their plan for running the football is becoming more crystalized.
"We have a bunch of really smart individuals up front and so our volume is going to be able to be pretty healthy," Johnson said. "I think we're going to able to carry a lot into the games, a combination of running off the ball on our wide zone scheme and I think we've got some guys that can create some movement in the gap scheme game as well.
"So inside, outside, I think we have backs that can get it on the perimeter and make things happen out there. And then I think the exciting thing for me is we've got some quarterbacks that are pretty athletic players as well that maybe they can do some damage on the ground also."
Quite the personality
Asked what he has learned about Stevenson since becoming Bears coach, Johnson said: "He's an awesome person. That stands out first and foremost. He has quite the personality. He's good to talk to. I think he works hard. Sometimes he talks a little bit too much, and you have to tell him to be a little bit quiet.
"He's a guy that you want on your side. He understands that this is a big year for him. Going into Year 3 is make-or-break-it for a lot of guys. He understands that, and I think he's approaching this the right way. The competition that we've had in that room has been really good not only for him but for the rest of the guys. I'm excited for the direction he's headed right now."
Smart as a whip
Asked by a reporter about Bagent, Johnson was effusive in his praise for the third-year quarterback.
"Man, he's been phenomenal," Johnson said. "I mean, he's smart as a whip. Appreciate the seriousness and intent that he brings every time he walks into a room. Meeting room, walk-through, it doesn't matter, he's locked in. He's focused. I think his teammates feel that from him.
"Love the fact he'll throw the ball and he keeps working through his progressions just so it goes home with exactly where everyone's going to be in case he had to move on. I think he's taken this seriously. He's preparing the right way. And I couldn't be more thrilled that he's here with us."
