Three takeaways from Bears' first week of OTAs
After an offseason featuring plenty of new additions, as well as a handful of departures, the new-look Chicago Bears were able to finally hit the field together. Coaches and players were able to speak to the media, which created a few intriguing storylines out at OTAs. With so much going on over at Halas Hall, […]
After an offseason featuring plenty of new additions, as well as a handful of departures, the new-look Chicago Bears were able to finally hit the field together. Coaches and players were able to speak to the media, which created a few intriguing storylines out at OTAs.
With so much going on over at Halas Hall, it’s easy to lose some of the new happenings in the shuffle. So let’s get into the three most important takeaways from the Bears’ first week of OTAs.
Matt Eberflus can’t get enough of Tremaine Edmunds
The Bears invested heavily in their defense during free agency, but no newcomer made quite the splash that ILB Tremaine Edmunds did. Starring in the middle of the Buffalo Bills’ defense over his first five seasons in the NFL, Edmunds brings ability and leadership to a Bears team in need of both.
“Just leadership,” Eberflus said on what impresses him most about Edmunds. “He really takes command in the defensive room, and he gives great suggestions. And he's very smart. And obviously he has the size and the range and the speed and all those things that he has physically, but I would just say the leadership.”
No show? No big deal
The Bears had just four players not in attendance for this voluntary portion of the offseason: RG Nate Davis, CB Jaylon Johnson, S Eddie Jackson and WR Darnell Mooney.
"It's a voluntary deal, ya know, and that's the way it is," explained Eberflus. "There's nothing you can do to get upset about it. We're going to coach the guys that are here."
Jackson and Mooney are each in the recovery process after suffering significant injuries in 2022. Davis and Johnson have provided a bit of mystery as to their absences. When asked about Johnson’s status, Eberflus didn’t exactly seem ecstatic about his absence.
"I'm not going to comment on that," explained Eberflus. "Ask him (Johnson) when you see him."
Justin Fields raves about Chase Claypool’s new mentality
Chase Claypool will undoubtedly be under a ton of pressure in 2023. Not only is it his last year on his current contract, but Claypool must prove that he can return to the form he showed in his first two seasons with the Steelers in order to continue signing lucrative deals in the NFL.
It sounds like Claypool understands the challenges in front of him, as head coach Matt Eberflus and quarterback Justin Fields have both spent time raving over the positive habits Claypool has picked up over the offseason.
“Chase has improved tremendously, just from the end of last year to now,” Fields said. “That’s one thing I’m truly proud to say, just seeing his work ethic, his attitude change, you can just see he’s taken another step. Definitely excited for that.”
Featured image via Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
