Bears general manager Ryan Poles
wants the team 'to be hunting at all times'
[July 29, 2026]
By JAY COHEN
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears are coming off their
first NFC North title since 2018. They have one of the NFL's best
young quarterbacks in Caleb Williams, and an array of talent on both
sides of the ball.
They are no longer an afterthought when it comes to preseason Super
Bowl conversation. But they are staying with the same approach they
had at this point a year ago.
“I think it’s important to have that mindset that you’re always
hunting,” general manager Ryan Poles said. “And that’s what we’re
going to do. ... We're going to be hunting at all times.”
That process is beginning to ramp up again. Rookies and quarterbacks
reported to Halas Hall on Saturday, and the veterans were expected
to arrive by Tuesday. The first official practice of training camp
is on Wednesday.
Chicago went from finishing last in the NFC North for three straight
seasons to the top of the division with an 11-6 record in coach Ben
Johnson’s first year. The Bears advanced in the playoffs by edging
the Green Bay Packers in a wild-card game before losing to the Los
Angeles Rams in overtime in the divisional round.
“We’ve got a high level of talent on this roster,” Johnson said
Tuesday. "I’m not concerned about that at all. I’m more concerned
about how we come together as a group right now.”
Health also is a concern at the start of training camp. Montez
Sweat, who had a team-high 10 sacks last season, was placed on the
non-football illness list on Tuesday. Safety Elijah Hicks was added
to the physically unable to perform list because of shin discomfort.
The team said it's a short-term illness for Sweat, and the veteran
defensive end is expected back in a few days.
Linebacker T.J. Edwards was placed on the non-football injury list
on Saturday, and cornerback Kyler Gordon, offensive lineman Ozzy
Trapilo and defensive lineman Shemar Stewart went on the PUP list.
The 26-year-old Gordon has a calf issue. He was limited to three
regular-season games last year because of groin and hamstring
injuries. He also played in both of Chicago's postseason games.
The Bears have Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson on the outside,
but Gordon is the team's best nickel back — when healthy.
“He was here all offseason training, getting right,” Poles said. “We
had a delay in that. All hands on deck to get him back. ...
Obviously, he’s frustrated. We’re frustrated. We just want him back.
He helps our football team. We have to move forward with the guys we
have and when he’s ready to go, he’ll be ready to go.”
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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson talks with players during the
NFL football team's practice, June 3, 2026, in Lake Forest, Ill. (AP
Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Gordon agreed to a $40 million, three-year contract
extension in April 2025. If he is out for a prolonged stretch,
rookie Malik Muhammad and Josh Blackwell could be in line for a more
prominent role.
“There will be certain players that certainly flash
here, and we’ll give them opportunities to run with the ones, you
know, while Kyler’s out, and we’ll see where it goes from there,”
Johnson said.
Poles said Edwards has a sore right calf, but the GM didn't think it
was a major issue. Trapilo (left knee) and Turner (torn ACL) are
coming back from surgeries.
The Bears' offensive line — one of the team's biggest strengths last
season — also is worth watching during training camp.
Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, Jedrick Wills Jr. and Kiran Amegadjie
are part of an open competition at left tackle. Jones has been
hampered by injuries since he started 17 games as a rookie in 2022.
Wills signed a one-year deal with the Bears in free agency, but he
hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since 2024.
Johnson said he thinks Jones has “got another step up in terms of
his confidence level than he did a year ago at this time.”
Chicago also has an opening at center after Drew Dalman decided to
retire. Garrett Bradbury is the front-runner for the job after he
was acquired in a March trade with New England. The Bears also
selected Logan Jones in the second round of the draft.
Right tackle Darnell Wright is in line for a contract extension
after he was second-team All-Pro last season. Wright, who turns 25
on Aug. 10, was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2023 draft.
“I think there’s a window to get a deal done and then at some point
we’ve got to go play football," Poles said. “So we’ll figure that
part out. But obviously I think I’ve said it before, Darnell’s a guy
we want here long term.”
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