The Chicago Bears held their first training camp practice in front of fans Tuesday during an invitation-only community day at Halas Hall.
Players will take a day off Wednesday before returning for a set of three straight practices, including their first padded session on Friday.
Here’s a rundown from the practice and the news conferences afterward.
Player in the spotlight
Gervon Dexter, the Bears’ 6-foot-6, 312-pound defensive tackle, said he tried to get in “marathon shape” this offseason. He ran hills and did track workouts, did a “strongman workout” and tried to eat healthier, including cutting out late-night snacks.
“(Before) I was just like, ‘Man, one honey bun won’t hurt me,’” Dexter said. “So yeah, I cut that out and now I feel a lot better.”
Dexter said he lost body fat and feels “a lot different” as a result. He can move around easier. He can get off the ball quicker. He can go longer during practices. He felt so good that he did his first-day conditioning test with the defensive ends instead of the tackles.
The Bears drafted Dexter out of Florida in the second round last year, and when he first entered Halas Hall, he told himself he wanted to be among the greats whose names graced the building entrance hall. The body transformation is a part of that aim.
“I’ve noticed that the good ones can do it one or two plays, but the ones that go down as great ones are consistent in being able to play one through four quarters,” he said.
With the departure of three-technique defensive tackle Justin Jones in the offseason, the Bears are putting a lot of responsibility on Dexter, who had 2 1/2 sacks, 12 quarterback hits and two passes defended in 17 games last year.
Dexter is approaching that bigger role with a level of focus that defensive coordinator Eric Washington said is uncommon for a second-year player.
“When Dexter comes on the practice field every day, when he comes into the meetings, for a young player, he’s got blinders on,” Washington said. “He is really focused on himself, what he needs to do in that particular practice. We kind of preview what we’re going to do on the field the day before. And so, I can see that he has taken that meeting outside to the grass. And when he comes into the meeting, he’s ready to go.”
Caleb Williams watch
Second-year wide receiver Tyler Scott broke free down the left sideline and made a diving catch of a Caleb Williams deep ball to provide the highlight of the day for the fans getting their first glimpse of the new Bears quarterback Tuesday. That play was part of a sharp early-practice showing for Williams.
But the Bears defense showed off, too, with linebacker Jack Sanborn breaking up a pass to tight end Gerald Everett earlier in the 11-on-11 period.
In a two-minute drill near the end of practice without wide receivers Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, the defense stopped the offense three times from the 7-yard line. Williams threw incomplete to Rome Odunze on third down. And linebacker Tremaine Edmunds broke up a pass to Cole Kmet in the end zone on fourth down to seal the defense’s win in the drill.
Afterward, right tackle Darnell Wright said he thinks Williams is handling the early ups and downs well.
“He’s done a great job,” Wright said. “You can see him getting better and better and better and more confident and getting everybody on the same page.”
News of the day
When Washington joined the Bears as defensive coordinator this offseason from the Buffalo Bills, he inherited star pass rusher Montez Sweat.
As he has gotten to know Sweat better, Washington has found that Sweat is stronger than he perceived him to be, he understands how to use his length — and he’s a quick study.
That last part helps the Bears because Washington said they are asking Sweat to do different things defensively that he’s done in his career.
“We want flexibility where we can align him,” Washington said. “We want to utilize his skill set against the offensive line and not just specific to one position. First of all, I really appreciate the fact that he’s embracing that challenge, and everything he’s doing to make his game as well-rounded as possible.”
Washington said Sweat’s professional approach and his willingness to engage with questions are helping him to pick things up.
Defensive tackle Andrew Billings said the idea of moving Sweat around to throw off opposing offenses is “awesome.”
“Offensive line don’t know where to go, and we know exactly where they’re going to go,” Billings said. “It’s like, all right, he’s gonna be on this side? Then I’ve got a one-on-one on this side now. Offensive line, they’ll have to flip the whole call because he’s going to be somewhere else.”
Quote of note
“He’s got D-line in his blood, so it’s all translating in the room.” — Billings on working underneath Washington, who provides helpful notes for the defensive line to supplement position coach Travis Smith.
Seen and heard
Washington said cornerback Jaylon Johnson “solidified himself as one of the top players at his position in pro football.” This season for Johnson, who ended practice with a red zone pass breakup, is about bringing more of the production that pushed him to be a Pro Bowler — and elevating his leadership too, Washington said.
“Now it’s about taking what he can do and bringing the leadership, bringing the production and pushing our defensive unit toward elite status,” Washington said. “Every time I speak to him that’s what I hear from him. He knows we need him to be on the high end of certain production qualities and continue to provide that leadership and direction he’s capable of doing.”
Injury report
Veterans Marcedes Lewis and Keenan Allen were given a rest day Tuesday.
Nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon was limited in practice, as was left tackle Braxton Jones and linebacker T.J. Edwards. Linebacker Noah Sewell remained sidelined.
