10 storylines to watch as Chicago Bears open 2026 training camp

The Chicago Bears report to Halas Hall on Tuesday, and the first practice of 2026 training camp is Wednesday. After an 11-6 regular season, a division title, a playoff win over the Packers, and an overtime loss to the Rams, the Bears enter camp with legitimate expectations — and a long list of storylines.

Quarterback Caleb Williams, coming off a Madden NFL 27 cover and a season full of fourth-quarter heroics, leads a team that returns most of its core but must answer questions about the offensive line, pass rush, and linebacker depth. Here are the most important developments to track over the next six weeks.

Caleb Williams’ encore

Williams was inconsistent during last year’s training camp, with pre-snap penalties and a lack of rhythm. Once the regular season started, the offense became one of the league’s best, especially in the fourth quarter. This summer, the focus is on how smoothly the offense operates under coordinator Ben Johnson and how Williams handles the wrinkles defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will throw at him. Last year proved camp performance isn’t always predictive, but all eyes will be on Williams’ mechanics and decision-making.

Second-year weapons: Burden, Loveland, and Odunze’s recovery

Wide receiver Luther Burden III and tight end Colston Loveland emerged late last season, ranking 1-2 among rookies in receiving yards from Weeks 14-18. Both are healthy after missing portions of last year’s camp. Johnson has already said he’s “buying Burden stock.” Meanwhile, Rome Odunze is working back from a foot injury that limited him in 2025. He had five drops (including playoffs) and is adjusting to a “new normal” with his foot structure. Wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle-El said confidence is “restored” after reviewing Odunze’s college film. A strong camp from Odunze could set up a contract push.

Offensive line: Bradbury vs. Jones at center; left tackle battle

After center Drew Dalman’s surprise retirement, general manager Ryan Poles traded for Garrett Bradbury, who started in the Super Bowl and has 88 career starts. But second-round rookie Logan Jones from Iowa is pushing for snaps. The conventional plan is Bradbury starting, with Jones ready in 2027, but Iowa linemen often hit the ground running. At left tackle, Braxton Jones won a four-player competition last year but lost the job in Week 4 and later landed on injured reserve. With Ozzy Trapilo’s patellar tendon injury, Jones is the starter entering camp, but he must hold off Theo Benedet, Kiran Amegadjie, and Jedrick Wills. The Bears want Jones to leave no doubt once the pads come on.

Defensive line and pass rush concerns

The Bears ranked 29th in yards allowed per carry and 21st in sacks per pass attempt last season. The entire starting defensive line returns. Johnson and Allen spent the spring emphasizing fundamentals, especially get-off. The Bears are counting on bounce-back seasons from Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett, and a contract-year breakthrough from Gervon Dexter. Montez Sweat has often looked dominant in camp. If the pass rush doesn’t improve, Poles could look for outside help before the season.

Linebacker overhaul after Edmunds departure

The Bears parted ways with Tremaine Edmunds and added Devin Bush, who is coming off a career year in Cleveland. He will pair with T.J. Edwards, who dealt with multiple injuries last season and starts camp on the non-football injury list. Jack Sanborn returns and could compete with D’Marco Jackson for the No. 3 job. Rookie Keyshaun Elliott and Noah Sewell begin camp on the PUP list. Ruben Hyppolite barely played as a rookie due to injuries. How quickly the new duo gels and who emerges as depth will be critical.

Key facts

Why this matters for Bears fans

The Bears are no longer a rebuilding team. With a proven quarterback, a creative offensive coordinator, and a defense that needs to find its identity, training camp will provide the first real clues about whether they can build on last season’s breakthrough. The offensive line and pass rush are the two biggest unknowns, and the depth chart at linebacker is unsettled. Fans should watch how Williams handles increased pressure, whether Burden and Loveland can dominate, and if the defensive line can generate consistent pressure without schematic gimmicks.

Source: The Athletic – “Chicago Bears training camp storylines: Caleb Williams, Luther Burden, roster battles” (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7466780/2026/07/27/bears-training-camp-storylines-caleb-williams/)