Chicago Bears Training Camp ‘26 Opening Press Conference
· Yahoo Sports
Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles and Head Coach Ben Johnson met with the media today to open up training camp. Here are some noteworthy nuggets.
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Kyler Gordon / PUP
Kyler Gordon was the talk of the town today as he continues to not be healthy enough to play. Spidey opens up training camp on the Physically Unable to Participate list. Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson were understandably frustrated. According to them, he has done everything he has needed to do this off-season to prepare and get healthy, but when asked about what his message has been to Kyler Gordon, Ben Johnson succinctly said: “Get healthy.”
A healthy Kyler goes a long way for this team. But your best ability is availability, so it remains to be seen if he sees out his recently inked contract just a year ago.
Joining Kyler on PUP are TJ Edwards, Elijah Hicks, Keyshaun Elliott, and Montez Sweat, but none of them are expected to be long-term.
For more on the Bears’ roster moves today, you can click here.
Darnell Wright
The young stalwart at RT was also discussed today, specifically regarding his contract extension. According to Poles, that is something they are working on and they have a “window of time” they are focused on getting it done. But it remains to be seen if the window is now.
With Vikings RT Brian O’Neill signing a lucrative contract to open up camp in Minnesota, there is now a reasonable floor for Wright’s next deal.
4 years $96million
While Poles “doesn’t want any distractions” regarding the contract and dragging it on into the season, he also said Wright “is a guy we want here for a while.” So hopefully we hear some news in the coming days or weeks for one of the best tackles in the league remaining in Chicago.
Left Tackle Competition
I found it noteworthy to hear both Poles and Ben to highlight this position and how each player is looking healthy and ready to compete. Loved the mention of Theo Benedet as a player to watch and how Jedrick Wills has gained double digit lean mass weight. Braxton is the healthiest he’s been since his rookie season and seems to be the frontrunner but some encouraging update on Ozzy and even a positive mention of Kiran.
Center Competition
It sounds like Garret Bradbury will not be given the job to start the season. While he obviously has a leg up from an experience standpoint, rookie Logan Jones will have every opportunity to compete for the starting gig. Poles touted the “knowledge and wisdom, especially with a young QB behind him” in regards to Bradbury, but the “hunger” of Jones will be something to watch. I will add his athleticism and headiness for a young player.
Miscellaneous
- Thoughts and prayers for former Bears OC Eric Bieniemy and his wife Mia as she is in stable condition following a tragic shooting.
- Hats off to the Bears camp crew for preparing for camp. Sounds like there is some brand new bells and whistles this year with new fields, new “state-of-the-art” film setup on each field.
- Luther Burden III got yet ANOTHER glowing endorsement. This time from Ryan Poles.
- All Edge rushers will be entering camp healthy (I do not consider Sweat’s “illness” as unhealthy), including Dayo Odeyingbo who finished the season on IR.
- Caleb has Ben’s FULL trust and vote of confidence as a player and QB for this offense. “He can do everything,” coach said matter-of-factly.