Chicago Bears training camp: Takeaways from Day 2

USA Today

24-07-2025

The Chicago Bears were back at Halas Hall for the second practice of training camp on Thursday, where it was another rough day for the offense.
During Thursday's closed practice, the offense had another shaky workout marred by pre-snap issues that plagued them on Day 1 and need to be ironed out this summer. It's certainly no reason to panic at this point of training camp, and this is why practice is important to hammer out issues before the season starts.
Here's what we learned from the second practice of training camp, where the offense continues to struggle, the left tackle battle is heating up and some young players are taking advantage of opportunities.
Another sloppy day for the offense
It's been a rough start for the Bears offense to open training camp, as they had another rocky outing on Day 2. According to Courtney Cronin, there were some issues that had to be corrected -- again -- for the starters that included huddle procedure and getting lined up. Ben Johnson pulled the first-team offense on Wednesday for their struggles lining up, but it doesn't sound like that happened today. There were also issues with false starts and botched snaps, which 79th & Halas Podcast said wasn't "because defense looked good, it just looked like the offense was out of sync more than anything." It's not a cause for concern at this point of training camp, and it's to be expected as the offense learns a new scheme. But it's a reminder that it's going to take some time for things to get going.
Kiran Amegadjie gets crack with first-team offense
The Bears have made it clear that the starting left tackle job is up for grabs, and the competition continued into the second day of training camp. After rookie Ozzy Trapilo got most of the reps with the starters, it was Kiran Amegadjie's turn on Thursday. But it's worth noting that Braxton Jones, the three-year starter, is still ramping up and he was with the first team during install before Amegadjie stepped in during drills. Jones' experience will no doubt help him -- and it seems like it could be his job to lose -- but this battle is far from over, especially as the pads have yet to come on.
Kyle Monangai was a standout player
The Bears didn't take a major swing at running back this offseason, but they might've found a hidden gem in seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai, who's currently third on the depth chart behind D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson. Monangai was a standout player for Chicago during Thursday's practice, where he had a long run that included a juke move at the end to pick up some extra yards. According to Alex Shapiro, Monangai also got a little work with the first-team offense. Courtney Cronin said that Monangai and last year's "Hard Knocks" star Ian Wheeler are in competition for fastest player, noting "both had moments where they turned on the jets today." For Monangai , including a long run from Monangai during team.
Tyson Bagent's turn with the second team
The Bears have an open competition at backup quarterback between journeyman Case Keenum and third-year pro Tyson Bagent. Keenum was signed to serve as a mentor for starter Caleb Williams, but he's also a strong candidate for the QB2 role. While Keenum got second-team reps during the offseason program and on Day 1 of training camp, it was Bagent's turn with the backups on Thursday while Keenum worked with the third team. Expect this rotation to continue throughout camp and into the preseason.
Noah Sewell continues as third linebacker
Another position battle brewing this summer comes at the third linebacker spot between Noah Sewell and fourth-round rookie Ruben Hyppolite II. Hyppolite was a standout during veteran minicamp, and the battle between him and Sewell was deemed one to watch in training camp. Right now, it sounds like the job might be Sewell's to lose as Zack Pearson said Sewell continues to line up as the strong side linebacker alongside T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds.
Nashon Wright getting work at CB2 with Jaylon Johnson sidelined
The Bears are down Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who suffered a leg injury while training away from the team. With Johnson sidelined, fifth-year veteran Nashon Wright has stepped up in his place. According to Alex Shapiro, Wright continues to work with the first-team defense alongside Tyrique Stevenson. It's an indication that Wright could very well have a chance to make the 53-man roster -- or perhaps find a spot elsewhere.
Jaquan Brisker isn't wearing a guardian cap
ESPN's Courtney Cronin had an interesting observation during Thursday's practice, where she noted that safety Jaquan Brisker hasn't been wearing a guardian cap. Cronin noted that some defensive backs and wide receivers are wearing the guardian caps, but not all. Brisker notably missed most of last season with his third concussion in as many seasons, so you'd expect Brisker to be donning one as an extra layer of protection. But it could be because the pads have yet to come on. It's definitely something worth monitoring heading into the remainder of the summer. Brisker is entering a contract year where he'll need to stay healthy for an entire season -- something he's yet to do in three seasons.
Luther Burden III is day-to-day with soft tissue injury, other injury updates
The Bears don't have a long injury report at this point of training camp, but rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III was a surprising addition on Day 1. The expectation was he was recovered from the soft tissue injury suffered during rookie minicamp -- which forced him to miss OTAs and minicamp -- but that's not the case. Head coach Ben Johnson provided an update before Thursday's practice noting that Burden is day-to-day with his soft tissue injury, which is believed to be a hamstring. But the good news is that it doesn't sound like anything serious. Elsewhere, rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner injured his ankle during Wednesday's practice and didn't participate Thursday. Rookie cornerback Zah Frazier was excused from practice for personal reasons.
Olamide Zaccheaus had a scare at the end of practice
The Bears are hoping to avoid injuries during practice, and there was a scary moment involving wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus near the end of practice. According to Brad Biggs, newly-signed cornerback Tre Flowers put a big hit on Zaccheaus, who was down for a little bit before getting back up.