Full Breakdown
Bears 2026 Training Camp: High-Stakes Battles for Five Players
7/17/2026, 9:16:39 PM
Core Event
Chicago’s 2026 NFL training camp opens in late July (rookies report July 25, veterans July 28). Under head coach Ben Johnson, five players—cornerback Kyler Gordon, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, left tackle Braxton Jones, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, and wide receiver Rome Odunze—face the greatest pressure to secure roster spots and contract futures.
Background & Context
The Bears concluded the 2025 season with a league-high 33 takeaways but saw key contributors miss time. Gordon, the NFL’s highest-paid nickel corner after a three-year, $40 million extension in April 2025, appeared in only five games due to a cascade of soft-tissue injuries. Stevenson, a fourth-round pick, entered a contract year after a season in which the secondary lost several veteran playmakers. Jones returned from ankle surgery and signed a one-year deal to fight for the left-tackle job. Odeyingbo, a three-year, $48 million contract with $32 million guaranteed, missed most of 2025 after rupturing his Achilles. Odunze, the No. 9 overall pick in 2024, suffered a stress-fracture foot that limited him to 12 games, yet he finished as quarterback Caleb Williams’ most-targeted receiver (90 targets, six touchdowns, 661 yards).
Key Players & Position Battles
- Kyler Gordon (CB) – Competing to retain his starting nickel role despite limited availability.
- Tyrique Stevenson (CB) – Vying for the No. 2 cornerback spot against rookie Malik Muhammad.
- Braxton Jones (LT) – Seeking to keep his starting left-tackle position against Jedrick Wills Jr. and Kiran Amegadjie.
- Dayo Odeyingbo (DE) – Battling Austin Booker and Shemar Turner for a pass-rush slot.
- Rome Odunze (WR) – Aiming to become the Bears’ WR1 after DJ Moore’s trade, while Luther Burden III also eyes the top spot.
Data & Statistics
- Gordon’s 2025 line: 45 games, 214 tackles, 10 TFL, 17 PD, 5 INT.
- Stevenson’s 2025: 33 takeaways by the defense (league-high).
- Jones logged 44 career starts; his 2025 benching occurred in Week 4.
- Odeyingbo recorded 1 sack in 8 games before his Achilles injury.
- Odunze posted 90 targets, six TDs, and 661 receiving yards in 12 games.
- Bears’ pass-rush win rate ranked 31st (29%); pressure percentage 28th.
Official Statements & Responses
Coaches emphasized availability and trust. Johnson noted that “trust level is a huge thing for this team… you can only develop that trust by being available.” Cornerbacks coach Al Harris praised Stevenson’s growth, calling him “focused in, he’s locked in.” Johnson highlighted Odeyingbo’s progress, saying the player’s presence “is just another step forward in terms of him gaining confidence again.” Tight-end coach Ryan Poles described the unit as “top five” in 12- and 13-personnel groups, underscoring the importance of the new inline tight end Sam Roush. Offensive line veteran Garrett Bradbury was acquired to shore up the center position after Drew Dalman’s retirement.
Criticism & Opposition
Injury concerns dominate the discourse. Gordon’s repeated soft-tissue setbacks have led Johnson to admit, “We spoke last year, and neither one of us were really happy with how it went… we’re still trying to get that availability piece going.” Odunze’s own description of his foot as a “new normal” raises doubts about long-term durability, prompting analysts to label his recovery a “band-aid” solution. Jones’ competition with former first-round picks adds uncertainty to the left-tackle hierarchy.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the severity of Odunze’s foot condition: his OTA comments suggest lingering structural changes, while coach Johnson’s June remark, “He looks like the same old Rome,” implies confidence in his health. No definitive medical update has been released, leaving his 2026 performance an open question.
What’s Next
Training camp will determine starting roles for the five high-stakes players. Roster cuts are slated for late August, with the Bears’ season opener against the Carolina Panthers on September 13. The outcomes of these position battles will shape Chicago’s defensive stability, receiving corps, and offensive line continuity for the 2026 campaign.
