Chicago Bears Week 1 Training Camp Takeaways: A New Era Under Ben Johnson

The Chicago Bears kicked off their 2025 training camp at Halas Hall with a palpable sense of optimism, driven by the arrival of new head coach Ben Johnson and a revamped roster. After a rollercoaster rookie season for quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears are banking on Johnson’s innovative offensive schemes to elevate their game in a competitive NFC North. The first week of camp, spanning four practices, offered a glimpse into the team’s progress, struggles, and emerging storylines. Here are the key takeaways from Week 1 of Bears training camp.

Offense Struggles, But It’s By Design: The Bears’ offense, led by Caleb Williams, faced a rocky start, with pre-snap penalties, false starts, and miscommunications plaguing the first three practices. On Day 1, head coach Ben Johnson pulled the starting offense from a 7-on-7 drill after consecutive alignment errors, a clear signal of his high standards. Day 2 saw similar issues, with botched snaps and huddle procedure problems, while Day 3 included back-to-back interceptions from Williams in red-zone work—one tipped pass intercepted by Jaquan Brisker and another poor throw picked off by T.J. Edwards.

However, Johnson and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle have emphasized that this early turbulence is intentional. The coaching staff is overloading Williams with complex pre-snap procedures and defensive looks to accelerate his development. “It’s about drinking from a firehose now so we can narrow it down later,” Johnson noted, drawing from his successful tenure as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. By Day 4, Williams showed signs of progress, delivering his best performance yet in a two-minute drill, capped by a touchdown pass to Rome Odunze. While the offense is far from polished, the growing pains are part of the process as Williams adapts to Johnson’s system.

Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze Are Building Chemistry: Despite the offense’s early struggles, the connection between Caleb Williams and second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze has been a bright spot. The duo, entering their second season together, showed flashes of potential on Days 3 and 4. On Friday, Williams hit Odunze for a completion down the right sideline, and on Saturday, they connected on a short fade for a touchdown in a two-minute drill. Odunze’s route-running savvy and ability to execute precise plays, like the fade, have impressed coaches and fans alike. “You kind of want to meet the ball exactly at the point where you want to catch it,” Odunze said, highlighting his attention to detail. With DJ Moore still anchoring the receiving corps as WR1, the Williams-Odunze pairing could become a cornerstone of the Bears’ passing game.

Left Tackle Battle Heats Up: The competition for the starting left tackle job is one of the most intriguing position battles in camp. Incumbent Braxton Jones, recovering from a fractured fibula, is ramping up but has been limited, opening the door for rookie Ozzy Trapilo and second-year pro Kiran Amegadjie. Trapilo took the majority of first-team reps on Days 1 and 3, while Amegadjie got his chance on Day 2 and Day 4. Both young linemen have shown promise, with Trapilo earning praise for his performance and Amegadjie holding his own in one-on-one drills. However, Amegadjie suffered an apparent leg injury on Day 4, which could impact his case. Johnson has stressed that “every play matters” in this three-man race, and the real evaluation will intensify when pads come on next week. For now, Trapilo appears to have a slight edge, but Jones’ experience could still win out.

Rookie Tight End Colston Loveland Shines: First-round rookie tight end Colston Loveland, who missed the offseason program due to shoulder surgery, made an immediate impact upon his return. In his training camp debut on Day 4, Loveland recorded three catches, including two in 7-on-7 drills (one from Williams for a first down) and one in 11-on-11. Analysts noted that he “looked smooth” and showed no signs of rust. His chemistry with Williams is already developing, both on and off the field, as the two spent the team’s day off dining together in downtown Chicago. “He’s smart, he knows what he’s doing,” Williams said of Loveland. With his versatility and playmaking ability, Loveland could be a key weapon in Johnson’s offense.

Undrafted Rookie J.P. Richardson Turns Heads: Every summer, an under-the-radar player emerges, and this year, it’s undrafted rookie wide receiver J.P. Richardson. The former Purdue standout has been a consistent highlight through the first four practices, earning mentions for spectacular catches. On Day 1, he made a one-handed grab down the sideline with a defender draped over him, and on Day 3, he had back-to-back catches with the third-team offense. While the Bears’ top three receivers—DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and rookie Luther Burden III—are set, Richardson is making a strong case for a roster spot, potentially challenging veterans like Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay.

Injury Concerns Linger: The Bears have maintained a relatively short injury list, but a few key absences are worth noting. Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson is sidelined with a leg injury sustained away from the team, landing him on the Non-Football Injury list. He’s expected to miss a few weeks but should be ready for Week 1. Rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III, a second-round pick, missed the first four practices due to a lingering hamstring injury from rookie minicamp but is expected to debut soon. Rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner (ankle) and cornerback Zah Frazier (personal reasons) also missed time, while offensive linemen Kiran Amegadjie and Doug Kramer exited Day 4 with leg injuries. The Bears are hopeful these setbacks are minor, but the absences of Johnson and Burden could delay their integration into the new schemes.

Defense Dominates Early: Under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, the Bears’ defense has been the standout unit in Week 1, making life difficult for the offense. On Day 1, they intercepted Williams’ first pass of camp and consistently disrupted plays. Defensive end Montez Sweat applied pressure on back-to-back plays in 11-on-11 drills on Day 3, while safety Jaquan Brisker and linebacker T.J. Edwards snagged interceptions. Allen’s aggressive approach and the coaching staff’s emphasis on teaching have the defense ahead of schedule. However, the second cornerback spot opposite Jaylon Johnson remains a question mark, with Tyrique Stevenson, Nashon Wright, and Terell Smith competing for the role. Allen called it “completely up for grabs,” setting the stage for a heated battle.

Looking Ahead: The first week of Bears training camp has been a mix of growing pains and promise. Caleb Williams and the offense are navigating a steep learning curve, but the flashes of potential—particularly with Odunze and Loveland—suggest brighter days ahead. The left tackle competition and the emergence of J.P. Richardson add intrigue, while the defense’s early dominance sets a strong foundation. As the Bears put on pads next week and prepare for their first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on August 10, the focus will be on cleaning up the offense’s miscues and getting key players like Burden and Johnson back on the field. Under Ben Johnson’s leadership, Chicago is laying the groundwork for a modern, explosive offense—now it’s about putting the pieces together.

RunTheBlog will continue to provide updates as the Bears progress through training camp. Follow us for the latest news and analysis on Chicago’s journey to the 2025 season!