4 bold predictions for the Chicago Bears heading into the first week of training camp
The Chicago Bears open training camp on Wednesday and have plenty of storylines to watch, not only at camp, but going into the 2026 season as well. I was joined by two other Bears experts to break down four bold predictions for the team.
The Chicago Bears are set to open training camp on Wednesday once the rest of the veteran players report back to the team facilities on Tuesday.
The Bears will have plenty of top storylines to watch throughout the next few weeks and some that will extend into the 2026 season, including some key roster battles across the roster. I was joined by Taylor Doll, host of ‘Making Monsters’ on 2nd City Gridiron, and Nicholas Moreano, Bears beat reporter at REKAP, this weekend to break down what to expect over the next few months.
We came up with four bold predictions (two for training camp, and two for the 2026 season). Let’s get into it.
Bold Predictions for the Chicago Bears’ Training Camp
Taylor Doll: Kalif Raymond is WR3 and a big part of the offense
With DJ Moore no longer in the picture, one of the biggest questions heading into training camp is who will emerge as the Bears’ WR3 by Week 1. There’s been plenty of discussion about how often Ben Johnson will lean on 12 and 13 personnel with Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, and Sam Roush, but there’s still a significant question mark behind Rome Odunze and Luther Burden in the wide receiver room. My early pick to win that job is Kalif Raymond.
Raymond already has a proven track record under Ben Johnson. In Johnson’s first season as Detroit’s play caller, Raymond posted a career-high 616 receiving yards despite sharing targets with Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, and Josh Reynolds. Raymond brings elite speed, reliable hands, and legitimate big-play ability, while also providing All-Pro value as a punt returner. His versatility gives Johnson another chess piece to move around the formation.
Kole Noble: Left tackle and center battle isn’t much of a competition
The Bears have two starting positions on the offensive line up for grabs heading into the start of training camp at left tackle and at center. Both will be among the top positional battles to watch heading into the season. The left tackle competition will be between Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills Jr., Theo Benedet, and Kiran Amegadjie while Garrett Bradbury and rookie Logan Jones go head-to-head for the starting center position.
My prediction is that both battles won’t be much of a competition. I see Braxton Jones and Garrett Bradbury quickly earning the starting job for Week 1 and carry that status throughout the season, unless their performance significantly drops off during the regular season. I don’t want to see these two battles drag out throughout the entirety of camp, like the left tackle battle did last season. The faster the Bears identify the starting five, the better for the cohesiveness of this entire offense.
Bold Predictions for the Chicago Bears’ 2026 season
Nicholas Moreano: Bears lead the NFL in rushing yards
Ben Johnson’s offense is built through the run game. The Bears’ head coach leads the team’s run installs, proving how important establishing a ground game is for Chicago. D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai helped the Bears become the No. 3 rushing team last season, running for 2,456 yards.
With the two running backs going into the second year of Johnson’s scheme, the playmakers in the backfield have everything in place to push the Bears to the No. 1 spot this season.
Kole Noble: Caleb Williams breaks his own single-season record throwing for over 4,000 yards
Quarterback Caleb Williams is coming off a franchise record-breaking season after throwing for 3,942 passing yards in his second season with the team. Going into his second season under Ben Johnson’s offense, I see Williams rewriting the record books once again, this time eclipsing the 4,000-yard mark.
Heading into the 2026 season, the Bears have been harping on Williams’ accuracy and being able to do the easy things. I believe he will show growth in both areas and once he does so, the arsenal of weapons at his disposal will make hitting this benchmark much easier.