Full Breakdown
Bears Kick Off 2026 Training Camp Amid Roster Overhaul
7/24/2026, 10:02:02 PM
Core Event: Opening Day and New Starters
The Chicago Bears’ training camp opens July 29 at Halas Hall, the first day the team will evaluate high-impact newcomers. Veteran center Garrett Bradbury arrives from New England to replace retired Drew Dalman, while rookie Logan Jones will compete for snaps. Linebacker Devin Bush joins the middle of the defense, safety Coby Bryant anchors the secondary alongside rookie Dillon Thieneman, and wide receiver Zavion Thomas is slated to contribute as a gadget player and return specialist. Special-teams stalwart Cairo Santos returns after a record-setting 2025 season, and the Bears will also assess depth at offensive line, edge rushers and cornerbacks throughout camp.
Background & Context
Chicago finished the 2025 campaign 11-6, captured the NFC North title and won a playoff game, largely on the back of quarterback Caleb Williams and a revitalized offensive line. Defensively, the Bears led the league in takeaways but ranked near the bottom in pass-rush metrics, recording only 35 sacks, prompting head coach Ben Johnson to emphasize internal development.
Data & Statistics
- Sack total (2025): 35
- Pass-rush win rate: 29 % (31st)
- Pressure percentage: 28 % (29th)
- Takeaways: 33 (league lead)
- Devin Bush’s 2025 production (Cleveland): 124 tackles, 3 interceptions, 8 passes defended, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
- Cairo Santos’ 2025 field-goal accuracy: 88.3 % (159/180)
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Johnson praised Bradbury’s communication, noting the veteran “impressed Day 1” and is “loud, demonstrative” in coordinating the line.
Verbatim Quotes
Position Battles & Player Spotlights
Center: Bradbury is expected to start Week 1; Jones will use camp to prove he can supplant the veteran.
Left Tackle: With Ozzy Trapilo on the PUP list, Braxton Jones leads the competition, backed by Jedrick Wills Jr. and Kiran Amegadjie.
Safety Duo: Bryant brings a Super Bowl pedigree; Thieneman’s “elite instincts” earned him a first-team nod at Oregon and could fast-track him to a starting role.
Linebacker: Bush’s 4.43-second 40-yard dash and 20.23 mph interception return underscore his speed-first approach.
Wide Receiver: Thomas, a third-round pick, posted 13.5 yards per punt return in 2022 and is expected to contribute on special teams while earning snaps as a “gadget” receiver.
Special Teams: Santos remains the most accurate Bears kicker in history; returner Kalif Raymond adds proven punt-return production, and Richard Hightower lauds Thomas’s “natural instincts” and “aggressive” return style.
Why It Matters / Impact
Stability at center is crucial for Williams’ offense, while a cohesive middle linebacker will shape defensive communication. The safety tandem of Bryant and Thieneman aims to replace the departed Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, preserving the unit that generated 33 takeaways. Improvements in the pass rush, driven by internal competition among edge players, could lift the Bears out of the bottom third and complement an already potent offense. Special-teams reliability, anchored by Santos and emerging returners, adds a hidden-weapon dimension that proved decisive in late-season victories.
What’s Next
Training camp runs through late August, after which the Bears will trim the roster to 53 players and set the Week 1 depth chart. The outcomes of the center, safety and edge-rush battles will shape the team’s strategic options heading into the 2026 season.
