Latest news with #LakeForest
New York Times
10 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
The Ben Johnson Show starts now at Bears camp. All eyes and ears are on him
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — For the first time reporters could remember, the Bears' general manager appeared at a training-camp-opening news conference and didn't take questions. Typically, it's one of our few chances to hear from him during the season, and it's the rare time he can be optimistic before things go to you-know-where. Advertisement On Tuesday afternoon, Ryan Poles gave some updates on injuries and signings — he wouldn't detail his own contract extension but he acknowledged it — but that was it. He spoke for about 3 1/2 minutes, said he'd be around to talk to reporters during camp, and quickly exited to the side to cede the lectern to head coach Ben Johnson. Most GMs whose teams go 15-36 over three years — and whose third season is a catastrophe even by Bears standards — get their security card revoked, but Poles got a longer contract to match Johnson's deal, so he'll be around for a while. Poles was allowed to spend the kind of money it takes to land a promising young coach like Johnson and get a fresh start in Year 4. But once Johnson knotted up his orange tie and signed his massive contract, there was no question he was in charge at Halas Hall. No offense to Poles, Kevin Warren or George McCaskey, but it's Johnson's show here. And don't just limit his power to Lake Forest. As he prepares to start his first season in charge, you could say Johnson is the most important coach, player or sports executive in Chicago. All eyes and ears are on him. Coach Johnson is live at the podium — Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 22, 2025 Every NFL head coach is a leading man, but the Bears' casting process doesn't exactly bring to mind the glory days of the Hollywood studios. At this time last year, Johnson's predecessor, Matt Eberflus, was in full glow-up mode as the 'Hard Knocks' cameras documented his season-opening party at his local mansion. Johnson looks the part with a winsome smile and a quick wit, but can he take the Bears offense into the 20th century? (Baby steps.) He was brought in from Detroit to see what the Bears have in Caleb Williams, the erstwhile No. 1 pick and the crown jewel of the team's latest rebuild, and to get the Bears back to the playoffs, a destination they've reached just three times in the last 18 seasons. He needs to make Williams better than the three would-be quarterback saviors who came before him. Advertisement Having a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards in a season and making the playoffs are achievable goals for many NFL franchises, but not this one. Here, it's a summit that hasn't been reached. With all of that prologue in mind, Johnson offered some encouraging words to the people who are sick of losing seasons and perpetual disorder in Lake Forest and Soldier Field. 'This is a race now,' Johnson said. 'Everything is a race.' And he doesn't mean it in a 'put your track shoes on' kind of way like Eberflus. While it's my firm belief that the NFL starts too early — football practices should start on Aug. 1 — I can see why Johnson is in a hurry. Yes, he's had offseason workouts to install his offense, but the Bears' opener is Monday night, Sept. 8, and there's a lot of work to do between now and that national spotlight home game against the Minnesota Vikings. Training camp is hot, mundane drudgery, but for a coach like Johnson, it's heaven. He seems most excited about getting into the dog days of practice and seeing that zone where his offensive players are reacting instead of thinking. We saw a lot of thinking last season during Williams' rookie year and a lot of losing. 'It's how you get good at anything,' Johnson said. 'It's repetition, over and over and over again. You watch tape. You put yourself in that mindset: 'If I was here now in this situation, what would I do?' That's why the situations we practice over the course of camp are going to be huge, not only for me but the rest of the staff and the players to figure out how my mind works, so that they can play off of that accordingly. I just hope we can, in six weeks, get enough reps to feel good going into Week 1. That's the challenge.' Every coach has these zen-like goals before camp starts and then reality gets in the way. Guys go down, the quarterback's throws go wide. We've seen it year after year. Advertisement Too many offensive coaches overcomplicate the process. Remember Matt Nagy? This shouldn't be brain surgery. It's just football. For all the adulation heaped on Johnson's creative offense, I appreciate that he seems to have a workmanlike attitude to his job. Training camp should be interesting this year. Or as interesting as watching football practice in the hot summer sun gets. If environmental reporters covered climate change with the fervor that we're about to cover Johnson's offense with, the world would be a better place. We should be plenty busy, from the three-man competition for the starting left tackle job to analyzing every Williams throw, Rome Odunze pass route and DJ Moore facial expression. 'Going into camp, it's going to be a lot here early on,' Johnson said. 'These first two weeks, we're still going to do a lot. And it's not so much to attack the defense or anything like that. We've got to find out who we are, and I'm going beyond just the quarterback here. I don't know if we're going to be a wide-zone team up front. I don't know if we're going to be a gap team yet. There's a lot of things that got to play out, and we won't know until we get the pads on.' It's late July and there is much to learn about this Bears team. But one thing we know is who's in charge. Halas Hall is officially Ben Johnson's world.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Bears veterans report for training camp
The long wait is over as the Chicago Bears are back at Halas Hall for the start of training camp this week ahead of what's expected to be a thrilling 2025 season. After Bears rookies and quarterbacks reported to Halas Hall on Saturday, veterans are now reporting to the team's Lake Forest facility on Tuesday. Chicago's first practice will be held on Wednesday, July 23, which is closed to the public. The Bears' first open practice will be on Friday, July 25, where a free ticket is required for entry (See the full schedule here). It's been quite an impactful offseason for the Bears, including most importantly the hiring of new head coach Ben Johnson. But they also overhauled the offensive line, with the trades for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, as well as the signing of center Drew Dalman and they drafted offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo in the second round. They also drafted more weapons for quarterback Caleb Williams in tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III. On defense, their additions were most modest, but they could wind up being impactful. The addition of new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will be huge coupled with the free-agent signings of defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo. Bears 2025 training camp schedule Wednesday, July 23 (8:30 a.m. CT) Thursday, July 24 (8:30 a.m. CT) Friday, July 25 (8:30 a.m. CT) - OPEN Saturday, July 26 (8:30 a.m. CT) - OPEN Monday, July 28 (8:30 a.m. CT) Tuesday, July 29 (8:30 a.m. CT) - OPEN Wednesday, July 30 (8:30 a.m. CT) - OPEN Thursday, July 31 (8:30 a.m. CT) - OPEN Saturday, August 2 (8:30 a.m. CT) - OPEN Sunday, August 3 (Family Fest) - OPEN Monday, August 4 (10:10 a.m. CT) Tuesday, August 5 (11:40 a.m. CT) Thursday, August 7 (11 a.m. CT) - OPEN Friday, August 8 (10:30 a.m. CT) - Joint practice with Dolphins - OPEN Monday, August 11 (12:30 p.m. CT) Wednesday, August 13 (12:30 p.m. CT) - OPEN Thursday, August 14 (11 a.m. CT) - OPEN Friday, August 15 (10:30 a.m. CT) - Joint practice with Bills - OPEN Monday, August 18 (8:30 a.m. CT) Wednesday, August 20 (12:30 p.m. CT) Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears veterans report for training camp
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Bears rookies, quarterbacks report for training camp
The wait is finally over as the Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of training camp next week under new head coach Ben Johnson. Bears rookies and quarterbacks report to Halas Hall beginning Saturday, July 19. The rest of the team will report to the team's Lake Forest facility on Tuesday, July 22. Chicago will practice for the first time on Wednesday, July 23, which is closed to the public. The Bears' first open practice will be on Friday, where a free ticket is required for entry. The Bears have an impressive group of rookies this year, including several who are expected to be immediate contributors. That includes tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden III and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner. Other notable rookies include linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, cornerback Zah Frazier, offensive lineman Luke Newman and running back Kyle Monangai. All eight rookie draft picks are under contract following a delay in second-round signings, where Burden, Trapilo and Turner inked their deals recently. Quarterback Caleb Williams is entering his sophomore season and will have a strong supporting cast around him. Chicago prioritized building around Williams this offseason, including the hiring of Johnson, revamping the interior offensive line and adding even more weapons to the mix. Safe to say, the stage is set for a Year 2 breakout. Meanwhile, veteran Case Keenum was brought in to serve as another voice in the quarterback room while also competing with Tyson Bagent for the backup job. Bears 2025 training camp schedule Wednesday, July 23 (8:30 a.m. CT) Thursday, July 24 (8:30 a.m. CT) Friday, July 25 (8:30 a.m. CT) - OPEN Saturday, July 26 (8:30 a.m. CT) - OPEN Monday, July 28 (8:30 a.m. CT) Tuesday, July 29 (8:30 a.m. CT) - OPEN Wednesday, July 30 (8:30 a.m. CT) - OPEN Thursday, July 31 (8:30 a.m. CT) - OPEN Saturday, August 2 (8:30 a.m. CT) - OPEN Sunday, August 3 (Family Fest) - OPEN Monday, August 4 (10:10 a.m. CT) Tuesday, August 5 (11:40 a.m. CT) Thursday, August 7 (11 a.m. CT) - OPEN Friday, August 8 (10:30 a.m. CT) - Joint practice with Dolphins - OPEN Monday, August 11 (12:30 p.m. CT) Wednesday, August 13 (12:30 p.m. CT) - OPEN Thursday, August 14 (11 a.m. CT) - OPEN Friday, August 15 (10:30 a.m. CT) - Joint practice with Bills - OPEN Monday, August 18 (8:30 a.m. CT) Wednesday, August 20 (12:30 p.m. CT) Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears training camp: Rookies, quarterbacks report to Halas Hall
CBS News
4 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Program in Lake Forest provides therapy through connection between horses and humans
Horses and humans and the gentle bond between them. For a program in north suburban Lake Forest, the motto is "best days happen here." Equestrian Connection provides therapy services to people ranging in age from 2 to over 100. There's great care to match people to the horses who are changing their lives. Nelly has been coming to equestrian connections for around five years. She said her favorite horse, Apple Annie, is much more than a pretty face. "Apple Annie is like my soulmate. She really loves being around me, and I love being around her," Nelly said. "She knows what people think, feel, what they're going through." Several studies show what Nelly knows; that horses can help their human buddies feel calm and confident. "That movement of the horse is very regulating to the nervous system," said Equestrian Connection director of mental health programs Colette Collins, a clinical psychologist. Equestrian Connection provides programs for clients with a wide gamut of issues, including trauma, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, grief, and more. "There is a growing body of research that shows that doing psychotherapy while your body is in movement, that the brain processes information differently," Collins said. With time, a horse and its rider are in synch, even in their breathing. Elle Eason rides horses and reads to them. Her mom, Lindsey, said Equestrian Connection is a safe space – a second home to Elle. Lindsey said the program has been lifechanging. "She's dyslexic. So we were having struggles with reading, and it kind of affected her confidence over time," she said. "Horses actually have this very calming and grounding presence, and that taught my daughter to take a step back, go slower, take a breath. And really, she began to believe in herself again." Equestrian Connection founder and executive director Diana Schnell said it began out of sheer determination 24 years ago. "I have a daughter, and four years later, we had twins. They're disabled," she said. "The doctors threw up their hands after three years of trying to get a diagnosis, and said 'Do everything you can.'" Another special needs mom told Schnell about the wonders of horse therapy. She knew what she had to do. "Called my husband, said, 'Can I quit my job and start this program?' and he said – probably later regretting it a few times, because it's been a tough road – 'sure,'" she said. "So we did. We opened it at a little barn down here. … Started with four horses and 15 kids." That little barn grew to 16 acres, with a 16,000-square-foot heated arena. There's also a pond, grazing area, and sensory garden. Since it began, Equestrian Connection has helped hundreds of thousands of clients, both kids and adults. "Since I was about 12 years old, I've loved to be with horses and ride horses," said client Deanne Basofin. "But then I found later, when I was about in my 50s, I found out that I have multiple sclerosis, which kind of left that off the table." Or so she thought. Then Basofin found Equestrian Connection. "It's like going back to … one of my things I love. Being able to do something that I love that I was not able to do before," she said. "I'm here to get stronger and work on balance and strength. … It's done tremendous things for me." Equestrian Connection holds annual fundraisers called Marty's Barn Parties, named for one of the program's original supporters. Past performers include Martina McBride and Kenny Loggins. All party proceeds go to services to help clients and keep projects going. After all, Schnell said doing good is the whole idea. "That's why we're here on the Earth, right? To help each other," she said. "Somebody's looking over us, and it's working." Equestrian Connection offers more than a dozen programs to enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being – including some for veterans. It gives out $150,000 in scholarships every year. The next Marty's Barn Party" is Sept. 27.
Forbes
12-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Success Of Ryan Poles, Ben Johnson Is Tied To Caleb Williams
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles, right, speaks as head coach Ben Johnson, left, listens ... More before introducing new players Drew Dalman and Dayo Odeyingbo at Halas Hall on March 13, 2025, in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) Patience has indeed proven to be a virtue with Ryan Poles, the Chicago Bears' fourth-year general manager. He was hired for a four-year term in 2022 and is being rewarded with a contract extension that runs through 2029. This gives Poles an eight-year commitment from Bears ownership and president Kevin Warren despite his having produced a 15-36 record in his first two seasons. His predecessor, Ryan Pace, had a 48-65 record over seven seasons, including a 22-27 mark in his final three. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Friday Poles is receiving an extension that gives him the same timing on his deal as head coach Ben Johnson, who Poles hired in January after making Matt Eberflus the Bears' first-ever coach fired in midseason. Poles had hired Eberflus on his third day on the job after inheriting a coaching search that had been run at the same time Chairman George McCaskey was searching for a new GM to replace Pace. It was a dubious process that did little other than to allow the Bears to assemble talent through the draft in the Eberflus years, biding their time in hope of becoming relevant again. That time arrives in 2025, with the Bears hoping for at least a winning season in the deep NFC North. The success of quarterback Caleb Williams, who was taken with the first overall pick in the '24 draft, is critical for both Poles and Johnson, who chose to sign with Chicago after earning respect while building an explosive offense behind Jared Goff in Detroit. Poles has proven to be a skilled negotiator in seemingly upgrading the roster. He rebuilt the offensive line after Williams was sacked 68 times in his rookie season, adding Chiefs All-Pro guard Joe Thuney at the cost of only a fourth-round pick while also signing free agent center Drew Dalman and trading for guard Jonah Jackson. His signature move was the trading of the first overall pick to Carolina in '23, which at the time committed a third season to struggling quarterback Justin Fields, whom Poles had inherited from Pace. Rather than draft Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, he took wide receiver D.J. Moore and a package of draft pick to allow the Panthers to move from ninth to first overall. Poles turned those picks into Williams, tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, punter Tory Taylor and wide receiver Luther Burden III. "Yeah, I feel pretty good," Poles said after selecting Burden in the second round last April. 'I think it's worked out for us.' The moves have certainly worked well for Poles, who had worked in the Chiefs' front office before being hired by McCaskey. The hope is they also work out for the franchise and its fans. Leila Rahimi, the insightful talk show host for WSCR, summed up the feeling in Chicago nicely. 'You just got paid for winning an offseason, not a season,' Rahimi said. 'I want to see a season.'
