Bears players who can turn heads and emerge as surprising training camp darlings
The Chicago Bears open training camp at the end of next week and several players can look to stand out and surprise a lot of fans when they return to the team facilities.
The Chicago Bears open training camp next week, which means football is finally on the horizon again. Rookies report back to the team facilities on July 25 with veterans expected to be back on July 28. Opening weekend for the public is set for July 31 and August 1.
Every year at training camp, certain players make a name for themselves and we tend to call those players “Training Camp Darlings.” Sometimes that hype and momentum carries over into the regular season and those players become vital pieces to the team.
Last year, the Bears had two players I would consider “Training Camp Darlings” in cornerback Nahshon Wright and undrafted rookie wide receiver Jahdae Walker. Few people mentioned either player going into camp, but by the end of August, they earned spots on the 53-man roster and produced when their number was called in the season.
Here are four surprising candidates I expect will become Chicago’s “Training Camp Darlings” in 2026.
Predicting the Chicago Bears’ surprising training camp darlings
WR Zavion Thomas
Zavion Thomas already turned plenty of heads during the offseason program and earned high praise from head coach Ben Johnson for the way he consistently made plays in every practice. I’m still putting Thomas in this category because there’s still so much more excitement this guy can create among the fanbase over the next month or so.
I’m interested to see how much of the playbook Thomas has mastered during the summer break and a big way to know that is how much the Bears work him in with the first-team offense, and where they utilize him. Thomas can be a game-changer on special teams and has long-speed to stretch defenses vertically, but I believe he can prove to be much more than that once pads come on.
DT Jordan van den Berg
Going with another rookie here in sixth-round defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg. Heading into camp, defensive tackle was named as Chicago’s biggest remaining roster issue, and it’s something I agree with despite the cries for adding a veteran edge rusher. A player that can change that narrative is van den Berg.
Jordan van den Berg has rare athletic traits, something that’s sure to pop in practice. He will likely open camp working with the second-team defense behind Gervon Dexter Sr. and Grady Jarrett but it won’t be long until we see camp reports about the rookie causing havoc in the backfield and being a constant pain in the rear for the offense. If that’s the case, don’t be surprised if he starts getting looks with the ones.
CB Terell Smith
In the secondary, the player I could see making a Nahshon Wright-like impact is Terell Smith. However, with a healthy Jaylon Johnson and a more motivated Tyrique Stevenson, it’ll be harder for Smith to parlay that momentum into a starting role, unless Stevenson’s inconsistent play returns.
Smith quietly had a strong camp performance last year until he suffered a torn patellar tendon that ended his chances of playing in 2025. Now, he’s set to enter into a contract year and will be looking to use camp as an avenue to remind fans who he is.
WR Scotty Miller
Scotty Miller is another one that turned some heads in the spring back at rookie minicamp with his speed and veteran experience. Those two traits will continue to show up in training camp working with the second/third-team offense with quarterbacks Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum.
Miller is a pro’s pro and will be a trusted target for those backup quarterbacks, which will be something to watch out for come preseason action. The question is, will Scotty Miller show enough to earn a spot in a crowded wide receiver position filled with young talent?