Bears rookie minicamp takeaways: Coaches offer early impressions of draft picks
It's probably fair to trust him when he sets the tone about rookie minicamp.
'Look, obviously, rookie minicamp, we're just getting into the introduction phase of what we're doing with these young guys, so we're not going to get into a lot of instant reactions in terms of how everybody's doing,' he said Saturday at Halas Hall. 'These guys are out here excited about working … and we're excited about working with them.'
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We don't want to completely downplay the first opportunity to see the rookies on the field in Bears uniforms, but it's a nice reminder that there's only so much we can glean from the sideline. The coaches know how well the rookies are picking up the playbook and handling their assignments.
One way the 2025 class of rookies aimed to prove themselves after Day 1 of rookie minicamp was meeting up in position groups at the hotel to go over the playbook. That initiative had to impress the coaches.
Squad up, 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/98htzNlpFV
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 11, 2025
'We wanted to have a better practice today as a whole group and not just one person,' fifth-round corner Zah Frazier said. 'That's how we're repping each other, you know, no man left behind.'
Fourth-rounder Ruben Hyppolite II helped get the linebackers together to help show improvement for the weekend practices.
'We got together, went over some of the install and then, for myself, just went over the install on the iPad, writing down, taking notes, doing what I do best and locking in and maintaining,' he said. 'I spent like an hour and some change last night just going through everything again before coming out today. Just want to be prepared and ready to go.'
Rookie minicamp might be a little more of what we heard than what we saw, and over the weekend, we got to meet with Bears coordinators for the first time since the draft.
At the end of the 2024 season, Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle was in his office in Denver as the Broncos' tight ends coach when he started watching film of Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.
His first reaction?
'He's competitive,' Doyle said. 'He's super competitive. … I was like, 'Man, I would love to be able to coach this guy.''
What stood out to Doyle, presumably in addition to Loveland's ability to separate and make big-time catches, was that competitiveness, reflected best at how he finishes the play.
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'I think that you see him finishing at a high rate and you'll see him jaw a little bit at whoever he is playing against,' Doyle said. 'That's the biggest thing that stands out is just his ability to finish and his willingness to play through the whistle.'
Doyle was with the Saints when they drafted tight end Adam Trautman in the third round in 2020, who then headed to Denver to reunite with Doyle and coach Sean Payton. Having worked under Payton, Doyle probably has a good sense of how tight ends can be used as a weapon. Payton had a pretty good one in Jimmy Graham.
Loveland is at practice with a helmet, doing a few things, but still isn't full-go.
'He's really inquisitive and he's very involved just right from the tip,' Doyle said.
Just Lovely pic.twitter.com/lT0gaCb3xs
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 10, 2025
Second-round wide receiver Luther Burden III had the highlight of Saturday's practice when he hauled in a deep ball, but he came down hard on the ball and was slow to get up. He returned Sunday and participated in the final practice of rookie minicamp.
As far as Doyle's evaluation of the former Missouri wideout, it mirrors what we heard from head coach Ben Johnson.
'He's an explosive athlete,' he said. 'He's really exciting. His tape was really impressive in college. He's a playmaker and when the ball's in his hands, he was one of the best guys that we evaluated in this process.'
Burrrr Down 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/2Eu5bkIheU
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 9, 2025
Veterans are in the middle of their offseason training program. They had three days of practices in April, and otherwise have been limited to strength and conditioning, and classroom work.
That's allowed Doyle to get to know his quarterback, Caleb Williams. Something Williams did last weekend, in the dead time of the NFL calendar, caught Doyle's eye.
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'He is very eager to do work, he's here after hours. He's really trying to get it right. We're giving him scripts. He came in last Saturday and he's in the indoor (facility), trying to walk through it by himself,' Doyle said. 'I think it's really important to him that he gets it right. I think his teammates can feel that. I think his teammates feel a guy that's trying to take the next step. It's been a really positive exposure thus far.'
The Bears' first practice as a full team begins in two weeks with OTAs.
Year 2 loading 📶 pic.twitter.com/BZKqBmCiTj
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 8, 2025
Allen likes second-round pick Shemar Turner a lot. He talked about the athleticism, the explosion and power, and that Turner's 'got the right temperament for what we're looking for.'
Then the Texas native gave us a metaphor for how they'll bring Turner along.
'I think we'll have to put the saddle on him and break him a little bit but we'd rather have to pull the reins back rather than have to whip him to get him to go,' Allen said. 'We're excited about working with him.'
That career for Turner will begin at defensive tackle. While he played end earlier in his career at Texas A&M — also Allen's alma mater — Turner is best-suited, for now, inside.
'The first thing we got to do is we got to play him in at defensive tackle and let him learn there, let him develop there, both as a three-technique and a nose, and then we'll worry about trying to see that flexibility,' Allen said. 'From a skill set standpoint, yeah, he's got some flexibility. We'll just have to see what he can learn, how quickly he can learn and adapt to what we're doing.'
The best thing going for Frazier is his size — 6-foot-3 with 32 7/8-inch arms. Allen said, who better to learn the position from than secondary coach Al Harris, the former 6-foot-1 corner?
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Frazier said that Harris is working with him on his stance, and there was already a pass break-up on the stat sheet for Frazier.
On a deep ball down the left sideline for first-year receiver John Jackson, Frazier was able to make a play.
'I was press-man. He gave me a good release,' Frazier said. 'I kinda, I stabbed him. I just played my technique and I didn't panic. And once you don't panic, good things happen. So that was a good thing, having a little PBU. I want the ball, though.'
Getting the ball was something Frazier did at a high level last year at UTSA when he had a school-record six interceptions.
'Probably the biggest thing is you got a big, long press corner that can run,' Allen said. 'He made a play out there today along the left sidelines — defensively, as you look at it — and that's kind of what we saw with him. Here's another guy that's a young, developmental corner. He's got a lot of things that he's got to learn, but he's got the tools for us to work with.'
Offensive lineman Luke Newman earned the Bears' interest because of his positional versatility, particularly at center during the East-West Shrine Game. But the Bears narrowed his focus this past weekend at Halas Hall.
'So since I got here, majority focus has been at left guard but obviously that versatility was a huge reason why I was drafted, why I'm here,' Newman said. 'And I look forward to working the other spots, right guard, center as well. I think working the interior three will kind of be my main focus going forward. I have the tackle background but obviously working interior three is going to be a major focus.'
Big guys at work 😤 pic.twitter.com/p5fAR6vUz3
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 11, 2025
Newman said he feels natural at guard. He started on the left side at Michigan State last season after being a tackle at Holy Cross. But it's apparent that playing center intrigues him.
'Intellectually, obviously, it's a new playbook here,' he said. 'There's an adjustment period for that as well. But I really think that center, all in all, fits more of my body type. It's kind of more of what my strengths are. Obviously, I have that guard flexibility as well. But I really look forward to learning and adapting to center a lot more.'
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The brash and direct coaching style of running backs coach Eric Bieniemy was on display during rookie minicamp. Running back Kyle Monangai, the Bears' final draft pick this year, is happy to be on the receiving end of it.
'He's a legend, No. 1, to begin with, just knowing his history, the people he's coached, the teams he's been a part of,' Monangai said. 'And he's really insightful, a great coach, gets me ready for practice every day. I'm excited for the future of what he's going to be able to teach me, and being able to work with him.'
Monangai caught only 38 passes over five seasons at Rutgers but he's looking at the Bears' offseason program, which included rookie minicamp, as an opportunity to show Bieniemy and the rest of the coaching staff that he will be a threat out of the backfield.
'I didn't get as many opportunities to do it in college,' he said. 'I wish I could've, but my role on the team wasn't that. So whatever my role is going to be that Coach Johnson wants to put me in, Coach Doyle wants to put me in, if I can showcase that, then I'll showcase that. But it's definitely something that I work on each day.'
(Photo of Luther Burden III (87): David Banks / Imagn Images)
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Johnson will throw as much as he can at the 21-year-old, and he should become a favorite target of quarterback Caleb Williams sooner rather than later. -- Brendan Sugrue 15. RB D'Andre Swift Swift enters the 2025 season entrenched as the lead back in a room including Roschon Johnson and rookie Kyle Monangai. The former Detroit Lion is also reunited with his former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who has an understanding of how to utilize Swift. Following a disappointing first season in Chicago, Swift is looking to bounce back -- and he'll get to do so behind a revamped offensive line that includes newcomers Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson. When looking at Johnson's offense, the run game is a vital component, and Swift has the potential to play a key role. With Johnson, new running backs coach Eric Bieniemy and an improved offensive line, Swift could be poised for a bounce-back season. -- Alyssa Barbieri 16. DT Gervon Dexter Sr. The defensive line got better as a whole both on and off the field with the arrival of Grady Jarrett, and Dexter could be the biggest beneficiary of his presence. Dexter spoke about modeling his game after Jarrett when he was younger and now gets to learn from him personally. The two have trained together earlier in the spring, and the former Pro Bowler thinks Dexter's ceiling is sky high. With Jarrett and rookie Shemar Turner added to the mix, along with Billings back and ready to go, Dexter has the chance to shine in Dennis Allen's defense. Once again, he's a popular breakout candidate at just 23 years old when the season starts. -- Brendan Sugrue 17. DT Grady Jarrett Shortly after Jarrett was released by the Falcons, the Bears wasted no time signing him to a three-year, $43.5 million deal to anchor the interior defensive line. Jarrett comes to Chicago with a wealth of knowledge and experience that will make him a vital mentor for young players, including Gervon Dexter Sr., as well as his proven track record as a run defender and interior pass rusher. Jarrett was the first addition for new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who witnessed Jarrett up close during his time with the New Orleans Saints and played the Falcons twice a year. Jarrett is expected to start along the interior, alongside Dexter, to anchor a defensive line that will be key to the defense's success. While Dexter had a down year in 2024, coming off a torn ACL, another year of rest and rehab on that knee should have the soon-to-be 32-year old veteran primed to contribute in a big way in 2025. -- Alyssa Barbieri 18. TE Cole Kmet You'd be hard-pressed to find someone else on the Bears whose 2025 outlook changed as drastically as Kmet's following the draft. The Bears opted to select Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with their first-round pick, which immediately raised questions regarding Kmet's status. While the addition of Loveland will create some intriguing problems later on, Kmet is still going to be a productive player on offense. It takes time for rookie tight ends to develop, and Loveland is already playing catch-up due to being out with his offseason shoulder injury. While the Bears will deploy both tight ends in various packages, it's very possible Kmet outproduces Loveland in 2025. -- Brendan Sugrue 19. LB T.J. Edwards The Bears rewarded Edwards with a two-year, $20 million contract this offseason as they locked down their top linebacker through 2027. While Edwards left plenty to be desired on the field last season, as did many, the move is a testament to the veteran linebacker's importance on defense. With new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen stepping in, it's certainly noteworthy that Chicago opted to extend Edwards to a multi-year deal. That doesn't necessarily mean his future beyond 2025 is safe, especially if he struggles and the Bears find a better option. But, right now, Edwards is poised to return as 1-2 punch with Tremaine Edmunds for Year 3 in Chicago. The expectation is Edwards will be back at weak side linebacker, where he's thrived, but it's certainly noteworthy that Allen flipped Edwards and Edmunds during OTAs, which could mean something or could mean nothing. -- Alyssa Barbieri 20. S Jaquan Brisker For a while, there was real concern that Brisker may not be able to resume his playing career due to the concussion. Thankfully, he was cleared over the winter and has been a full participant during organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory mini camp. Brisker has also been working out separately with fellow teammates such as Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, doing everything he can to get back to his old self. If he can stay healthy, Brisker has the chance to flourish in Dennis Allen's new defense. The Bears' new defensive coordinator was eyeing Brisker during the 2022 NFL Draft when he was head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Now the two get to work together three years later, and Brisker can become a versatile chess piece in the secondary. It also helps that the entire starting defensive back room is returning for the 2025 season, giving Brisker some familiarity as he works his way back to action. -- Brendan Sugrue 21. S Kevin Byard The Bears defense is welcoming some new faces to the roster -- and coaching staff -- this season, but Byard will provide stability in a talented secondary looking to anchor this unit. Byard is coming off an encouraging first season with Chicago, where he played most of the year without Jaquan Brisker and aided by reserves Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks. Now, Byard is back with Brisker for the first year under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who's looking to instill a violent, aggressive mentality on defense. Byard's best ability was availability as he started every since game in 2024, which was sorely needed with Brisker missing 12 games. Outside of production, Byard will be relied on to once again serve as a veteran leader on this defense and team, a role that he thrived in amid chaos last season. The hope is this year will possess the stability lacking last season. -- Alyssa Barbieri 22. DE Dayo Odeyingbo Odeyingbo comes to the Bears on a three-year deal worth up to $48 million guaranteed and is slated to start opposite Montez Sweat at the edge position, taking over DeMarcus Walker's old spot. At 6-foot-6 and 286 pounds, Odeyingbo's profile fits new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's system when it comes to edge rushers, giving the Bears an interesting chess piece to work with across the line. Odeyingbo may move around the line a bit, playing some defensive tackle with the likes of Gervon Dexter, Andrew Billings, and Grady Jarrett. The Bears liked what they saw from Odeyingbo during his tenure with the Colts, but they're betting on his future at just 25 years old. Odeyingbo is just now reaching his prime, and his best football is still ahead of him. -- Brendan Sugrue 23. LB Tremaine Edmunds Edmunds is entrenched as the Bears' starting middle linebacker alongside T.J. Edwards heading into the 2025 season, and he'll be key to the success of this defense. Edmunds should benefit from the addition of new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who employs the kind of defensive scheme that could make him a formidable force in the middle of the field. Following a so-so first couple of seasons in Chicago, Edmunds needs a big year to justify his lofty contract and prove that he's worthy to remain on the roster in 2026. -- Alyssa Barbieri 24. RG Jonah Jackson With Jackson falling out of favor in Los Angeles, he became a predictable trade target early in the offseason. The Bears swooped in and acquired him for a 2025 sixth-round pick to be their starting right guard. The Bears also added a year to Jackson's deal, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season. This will be Jackson's third different position on the offensive line in three years, which could pose a challenge as he gets reacclimated to playing the right side regularly. He made one start at right guard to end the 2024 season. Jackson's best seasons came with Johnson as his offensive coordinator from their days with the Lions, so hopefully he can return to form as one of the better interior protectors in the conference. -- Brendan Sugrue 25. WR Luther Burden III The Bears landed a huge steal in Burden in the second round of the NFL draft, which gives Ben Johnson another weapon to utilize on offense. While Chicago already has its top two receivers in DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, Burden has the potential to make a significant impact as a rookie if utilized to his full potential. Johnson has talked about the importance of the slot receiver in his offense, as that's where the ball typically goes. While Johnson will move guys around, it's worth noting that Burden ran 88% of his routes from the slot over the past two seasons at Missouri. Burden is a speedy, explosive receiver who can line up inside, outside or even out of the backfield. -- Alyssa Barbieri 26. CB Tyrique Stevenson Many returning Bears players were happy to wipe the slate clean with a new coaching staff this offseason, but Stevenson has to be among the most excited. He gets a fresh start with a defensive staff that should be ideal for his skillset. New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen likes to have defensive backs play man coverage, which should suit Stevenson. His new position coach, Al Harris, will also play an instrumental role in his continued development. During his time with the Dallas Cowboys, Harris helped cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland earn All-Pro seasons. He's one of the best position coaches, and Stevenson will only benefit from his tutelage. Stevenson will need to earn his playing time, however. -- Brendan Sugrue 27. DT Andrew Billings The Bears have a new defensive coordinator in Dennis Allen, who is looking to employ an aggressive, violent defense that certainly fits Billings' style as he's been an enforcer along the interior. Chicago bolstered their interior defensive line this offseason with veteran Grady Jarrett, who brings experience and leadership, as well as second-round rookie Shemar Turner, who serves to benefit from Jarrett and Billings. The Bears will likely employ a three-player rotation between Gervon Dexter, Jarrett and Billings at defensive tackle with Billings continuing to play a key role in Chicago's run defense, which struggled in his absence last season. Allen could also look to kick Dexter outside on some downs, which would give the Bears an opportunity to feature a defensive front with Montez Sweat, Dexter, Jarrett and Billings to make life difficult on opposing offenses. -- Alyssa Barbieri 28. K Cairo Santos Entering his sixth consecutive season with the Bears, we have a pretty good idea of who Santos is as a kicker. He has excellent accuracy with a limited range. His longest field goal of 54 yards in 2024 was tied for 29th in 2024. That being said, Santos is the most accurate kicker in Bears history and has continuity on his side going into 2025. Despite the Bears overhauling their coaching staff over the winter, the special teams unit remained relatively unchanged. Richard Hightower is returning as special teams coordinator, while Daly and Taylor are back at long snapper and holder, respectively. Kickers love consistency, and Santos will have it for the upcoming season. -- Brendan Sugrue 29. QB Case Keenum The Bears signed Keenum this offseason to serve as another voice inside the quarterback room for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Keenum played a key role during Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud's rookie season, when he was dubbed Offensive Rookie of the Year. Now, alongside new head coach Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett, Keenum will serve as a sounding board for Williams and help him maximize his potential. But outside of that, Keenum will also be competing for the backup quarterback job with Tyson Bagent, who's been QB2 for the past two seasons. For what it's worth, Keenum has been taking reps with the second-team offense throughout the offseason program, according to the media in attendance, so it certainly feels like it's his job to lose at this point. But it's also something to monitor heading into training camp. -- Alyssa Barbieri 30. RB Roschon Johnson Entering his third season, Johnson hasn't become the starting-caliber running back some thought he could be when he was drafted out of Texas. That doesn't mean he still doesn't have an important role to fill. Despite rumors swirling that they could overhaul the position during the offseason, the Bears only made a minor addition at running back when they drafted Kyle Monangai in the seventh round. That gives Johnson a strong shot to earn important carries for the 2025 season. As of now, the Bears are expected to lean on Swift as their RB1, but Johnson has a relatively clear path in front of him to spell him. The Bears need a bruising back to carry the ball in between the tackles in key situations, and it would be surprising if Swift is the right man for the job. That's where Johnson could shine once again. -- Brendan Sugrue
