Introduction to Bears’ Training Camp
Training camp competition goes much further than vying for roster spots and climbing the depth chart. For the top players, especially on offense and especially with a new coach, it’s about establishing a pecking order.
Establishing Roles in the Offense
Bears’ cut day — Aug. 26 — will be a nonevent for weapons like wide receiver DJ Moore. Instead, he’s working to earn his role in the offense as coach Ben Johnson maps out who will be the focal points of his game plan.
Trusted Pass Catchers
When asked Sunday which pass catchers have earned his trust that they’ll be in the right spots at the right time, Johnson listed tight end Cole Kmet, Moore and wide receiver Rome Odunze as “the three that stand out to me first and foremost.” He added that veteran Olamide Zaccheaus has impressed as well, which is a good indicator that no matter how much flash second-round pick Luther Burden III has shown, Johnson puts a premium on reliability.
Reliability Over Flash
“The rookies, they’re still learning,” Johnson said. “They’re still growing and they just haven’t been out there enough to earn that trust yet.” Burden and tight end Colston Loveland, the No. 10 pick, both missed significant practice time because of injuries, but are healthy now.
Last Season’s Performance
Moore led the Bears with 140 targets last season, followed by Keenan Allen (121), Odunze (101) and Kmet (55). The team did not re-sign Allen, who recently met with the Chargers about a possible return.
Roster Battle at Wide Receiver
There is an intriguing roster battle at wide receiver, though. If the Bears keep six wide receivers, Moore, Odunze and Burden are automatic, and two-time Pro Bowl return man Devin Duvernay and Zaccheaus are near-certain, which leaves one spot for the other seven receivers.
Candidates for the Last Spot
The most compelling candidates are Tyler Scott and JP Richardson. The Bears drafted Scott in the fourth round in 2023, but he has 18 career catches and barely played last season. Richardson is an undrafted rookie from Texas Christian who has been a training camp hero, albeit predominantly against backups.
Richardson’s Performance
When asked Sunday how much Richardson has stood out to him in camp, Johnson replied, “Quite a bit.”
Conclusion
The Bears’ training camp has been a competitive environment, with players vying for roles in the offense. Coach Ben Johnson has identified Cole Kmet, DJ Moore, and Rome Odunze as the pass catchers he trusts the most, with Olamide Zaccheaus also impressing. The roster battle at wide receiver is heating up, with Tyler Scott and JP Richardson emerging as strong candidates for the last spot.
FAQs
Q: Who are the top pass catchers that have earned Coach Ben Johnson’s trust?
A: Coach Ben Johnson has identified Cole Kmet, DJ Moore, and Rome Odunze as the top pass catchers he trusts.
Q: What is the current roster situation at wide receiver?
A: The Bears are likely to keep six wide receivers, with Moore, Odunze, and Burden being automatic, and Duvernay and Zaccheaus being near-certain.
Q: Who are the top candidates for the last wide receiver spot?
A: The top candidates for the last wide receiver spot are Tyler Scott and JP Richardson.
Q: How has JP Richardson performed in training camp?
A: Richardson has been a training camp hero, albeit predominantly against backups, and has stood out to Coach Johnson.
