Following an off day, the Chicago Bears are returning to Halas Hall on Friday for their third straight padded practice of training camp.
With media and fans in attendance, there’s plenty to keep an eye on during Friday’s practice, which is the third straight padded practice for the Bears. The offense remains a work in progress, which is to be expected at this point of the summer. But all eyes will once again be on the offense’s overall performance in another padded practice.
Here are some instant observations from those in attendance at the Bears’ eighth practice of training camp:
Practice has concluded.
#Bears practice is getting rolling and no sign of Teven Jenkins on the field.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 5, 2022
T Gill working on kickoffs.
Santos watching.#DaBears pic.twitter.com/xjmecB0pN0— Rob Schwarz Jr. (@ChiRuxinBGO) August 5, 2022
Practice No. 8 has begun. Teven Jenkins remains absent from the O-line group. It’s the 7th straight practice where we have not seen Jenkins. pic.twitter.com/9ihugjo4b8
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 5, 2022
#DaBears To Clarify. It doesn’t look like Kyler Gordon will be practicing today.
No Pads on.
— The Irish Bears Show (@IrishBearsShow) August 5, 2022
Kyler Gordon on the bikes along with Vildor, Pettis and Duke Shelley. Angelo Blackson back after a few days not practicing
— Josh Schrock (@Schrock_And_Awe) August 5, 2022
#Bears practice is just beginning. I haven’t see Robert Quinn yet. Kyler Gordon doesn’t appear to be practicing. He’s on an exercise bike. Teven Jenkins still absent.
Angelo Blackson is back in pads.
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) August 5, 2022
Angelo Blackson is back at practice today… but now Khyiris Tonga is on the bike and not participating.
— Alex Shapiro (@AlexShapiroNBCS) August 5, 2022
off to a good start https://t.co/1dcLnjPjxe pic.twitter.com/m28xhCZFHb
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) August 5, 2022
Looks like no Duke Shelley, Khyiris Tonga or James O'Shaughnessy today. They are all riding on the bikes right now.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
There isn't a love like Darnell Mooney and a jugs machine. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/L4iXuAV72V
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
Justin Fields working on that I-formation. pic.twitter.com/lQxJs8sHaO
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) August 5, 2022
Bears Friday. pic.twitter.com/m8gYeRcEg5
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) August 5, 2022
Sanborn showing some nice hands. #DaBears #BearsCamp
— Rob Schwarz Jr. (@ChiRuxinBGO) August 5, 2022
Jason Garrett spotted at Bears camp today. 🤔
— Jack Wright (@BearDownJack) August 5, 2022
Back to work for Justin Fields and the Bears at Halas Hall. pic.twitter.com/LSuIFwgcWg
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) August 5, 2022
Bears practice is underway. No sign of Teven Jenkins, which is seven consecutive practices missed. Day-to-day appears to be week-to-week.
Also not spotted: Robert Quinn and Khyiris Tonga.
DT Angelo Blackson and TE Chase Allen are back at practice.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 5, 2022
With Gordon, Graham, and Vildor not practicing, we'll get a good look at the backend of the secondary today. Could be a big day for the offense.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
Matt Eberflus watching the LBs.
Noah Dawkins being coached up. #Bears #BearsCamp pic.twitter.com/4a7t7dg8nv— Rob Schwarz Jr. (@ChiRuxinBGO) August 5, 2022
The following Bears are on exercise bikes:
CB Kyler Gordon
CB Duke Shelley
LB C.J. Avery
TE James O’Shaughnessy
WR Dante Pettis— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 5, 2022
Should be a decent day for the offense. No Kyler Gordon & No Kindle Vildor along with the obvious no Thomas Graham jr.#DaBears
— The Irish Bears Show (@IrishBearsShow) August 5, 2022
We got 3-on-3s starting right now. Three pass catchers vs. Three defensive backs.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
Fields to Mooney #DaBears
Going to hear that often this year!
— Rob Schwarz Jr. (@ChiRuxinBGO) August 5, 2022
Isaiah Coulter made a leaping attempt in skeleton drills and came down awkwardly. He's walking off gingerly.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
Justin Fields connects with Byron Pringle along the left sideline. Jayson Stanley was in coverage.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
Impressed by DB individual session. Crisp pace. Greater sense of urgency. Attention to detail. Worked on punch outs 🥜🏈 and Cov1 WR jams.
Overall, better camp vibe under Flus. Players being held accountable. Attention to detail. @BearDownChiPod
— Jack Wright (@BearDownJack) August 5, 2022
Fields to Mooney followed by Fields to Pringle 👀
— The Irish Bears Show (@IrishBearsShow) August 5, 2022
Ro 👀 pic.twitter.com/85oOiABrXU
— Jack Wright (@BearDownJack) August 5, 2022
Peterman with a great pass and catch to Finke #BearsCamp
— Rob Schwarz Jr. (@ChiRuxinBGO) August 5, 2022
Now the #Bears are having two players block while the QB runs the ball. Ryan Griffin has been doing a good job with his blocking during this drill.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
Having said that, not sure #4 got the memo. 😠
— Jack Wright (@BearDownJack) August 5, 2022
Time for 11-on-11s
Fields to Pringle for a first down.Coverage to Brisker #DaBears
— Rob Schwarz Jr. (@ChiRuxinBGO) August 5, 2022
Braxton Jones with a really good block on Al-Quadin Muhammad. Justin Fields had enough time to find Byron Pringle.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
Braxton Jones remains with the Bears’ first-team offensive line at left tackle. Cody Whitehair, Sam Mustipher, Michael Schofield and Riley Reiff round out that initial group from left to right.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) August 5, 2022
Ryan Griffin again with a good block. First it was against Dane Cruikshank and now against DeAndre Houston-Carson.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
CB Kindle Vildor also isn’t practicing. The corner opposite Jaylon Johnson to open team drills is Greg Stroman Jr.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 5, 2022
Trestan Ebner showing off his quickness and speed on these 11×11 drills. Can't wait to see him in preseason next week.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
Rookie RB Trestan Ebner, who has made some nifty catches in camp, just made some elusive open field moves on a big run.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 5, 2022
Braxton Jones appears to be getting better with every practice & holding his own at LT. #DaBears
— The Irish Bears Show (@IrishBearsShow) August 5, 2022
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) August 5, 2022
On third-and-7, Justin Fields throws the ball to Cole Kmet on a screen to the left. Kmet lowers his shoulder to pick up the first down. Kmet made contact with Jaylon Johnson on the play and Kmet smiled at him after getting the first down.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
At this point it’s time to assume Bears dead serious about Braxton Jones day 1 OLT starter. His job to lose in exhibition games. Reiff definitely more effective on right, good there, but leaves Larry Borom odd man out & that’s disappointing though he is ideal swing tackle.
— Hub Arkush (@Hub_Arkush) August 5, 2022
None of the QBs have looked great in team drills yet. Quite a few airmails aside from dump passes.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
If you are looking for Flus at camp, just look to Fields’ right.
A constant so far.
— Jack Wright (@BearDownJack) August 5, 2022
Justin Fields to Cole Kmet on another screen pass in 11-on-11s. Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield were in a good position to block for Kmet
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
Justin Fields first team drill today: completions to Pringle, Herbert and Kmet. Maybe a sack by Pennel on the Herbert reception. Griffin also had a drop on another play.
First offense is going against scout team right now in next drill. Fields just connect with Jones deep.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 5, 2022
The Screen Game is gonna be a pretty substantial part of the offensive game plan.
— The Irish Bears Show (@IrishBearsShow) August 5, 2022
Fields just emerged with a nice bomb on a flag route to Velus Jones.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
Justin Fields connects on a DEEP pass to Velus Jones Jr. Good ball placement by Fields.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
Poetry in motion #Bears pic.twitter.com/mkW4uODQIx
— John Herff (@JohnHerff_NFL) August 5, 2022
It’s clear the Bears believe in Khalil Herbert, while Trestan Ebner has looked impressive in training camp. I’m expecting there will be more of a share in the backfield alongside David Montgomery.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) August 5, 2022
Fields has made a couple of great deep passes going against a scout defense.
First was to Velus Jones, second to Cole Kmet.
— Alex Shapiro (@AlexShapiroNBCS) August 5, 2022
Justin Fields to Cole Kmet downfield. The two have been in-sync so far today.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
3 pronged rushing attack. Matt Nagy could never
— The Irish Bears Show (@IrishBearsShow) August 5, 2022
Kmet w a sweet catch on a crossing route. Ball delivered perfectly by Fields.
Kmet displayed incredibly soft hands on that particular catch.
— Jack Wright (@BearDownJack) August 5, 2022
If Braxton Jones is day 1 plug and play OLT starter as 5th round rookie out of Southern Utah and just better than average to good, Ryan Poles 1st Draft is a success almost regardless of how the others do.
— Hub Arkush (@Hub_Arkush) August 5, 2022
Same drill vs scout team: Justin Fields connects deep to Cole Kmet.
I can’t recall the Bears under Nagy getting into scouted looks and plays this early in camp.
Early takeaway: it’s good to see.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 5, 2022
Justin Fields overthrows Equanimeous St. Brown, who ran a double move and was open on the left side of the field.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
Against the scout team, Justin Fields connected with Velus Jones Jr. on a nice deep ball. Later, Fields slightly overthrew Equanimeous St. Brown on a similar play.
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) August 5, 2022
Interesting sidebar at #ChicagoBears camp today as a German film crew is here shooting a documentary on #19 @Equanimeous who is half German & carries dual citizenship
— Peggy Kusinski (@peggykusinski) August 5, 2022
Same deal with the Bears’ first-team offensive line.
LT Braxton Jones
LG Cody Whitehair
C Sam Mustipher/Doug Kramer
RG Michael Schofield/Ja’Tyre Carter
RT Riley Reiff— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 5, 2022
Justin Fields to Byron Pringle!! pic.twitter.com/tdEiP7weE6
— The Tape Never Lies Network (@TTNLNetwork) August 5, 2022
Couple of general notes with @BearDownJack and @ThatPodGuyDuke.
1. Special teams coverages are way more emphasized under Flus than Nagy. A lot more attention is being put on it.
2. The sense of urgency and mix between team and group drills is nice. You can feel a faster energy.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
First team OL
LT: Jones
LG: Whitehair
C: Mustipher
RG: Schofield
RT: Reiff— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
Fields just found St. Brown on a deep fly, catching it easily over the DBs.
His size is such an advantage.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
Justin Fields connects on a deep pass to Equanimeous St. Brown, but there was a flag before the snap. The defense stopped moving.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
Justin Fields overthrew Tajae Sharpe going against scout defense again, and he was picked off by AJ Thomas.
— Alex Shapiro (@AlexShapiroNBCS) August 5, 2022
Tavon Young just put Darnell Mooney on the ground. Mooney was blocking on the play.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
Fields 🤝 Mooney #Bears pic.twitter.com/lAU1LGofjJ
— John Herff (@JohnHerff_NFL) August 5, 2022
Fields to EQ!! #Bears pic.twitter.com/o6YZQDctHo
— David Peters🐻⬇️ (@David_Peters_04) August 5, 2022
Jaylon Johnson, Lamar Jackson, and Tavon Young are running with the 1s on D at CB.
Passing offense struggled in redzone. Mooney couldn't bring in a diving catch and Fields had a tipped pass.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
Tavon Young makes another play in team drills. He tipped a pass intended for Darnell Mooney. The ball went in the air and Mooney had a chance of making the catch, but Eddie Jackson hit Mooney to dislodge the ball. Justin Fields was the QB on the play.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
In the scout team period, Justin Fields definitely had more completions than incomplete. He was intercepted by safety A.J. Thomas on a shot to WR Tajae Sharpe. They were rotating different skill players with him.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 5, 2022
David Montgomery scores on a run and he and Eddie and Jackson got tied up, getting after it.
EJax is showing a lot of fight today.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
Fields is finding Mooney often, with a good amount of success.
He did miss an open Harry in the endzone though trying to fit it to Mooney in coverage.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
.@DmoeSwagg23 makes a jumping grab in the endzone for the touchdown from Siemian. First receiving TD in this series from the offense.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
Trevor Siemian to No. 18 David Moore for the touchdown. In coverage was No. 18 Jayson Stanley.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2022
#ChicagoBears GM Poles spends a lot of time within earshot of all drills … very hands on observer. Also chatting up new @SNFonNBC new analyst Jason Garrett for@er Cowboys HC
— Peggy Kusinski (@peggykusinski) August 5, 2022
Fields found Kmet for what would have been a nice gain, but Brisker pops the ball out as he went to the ground.
The hype is real. He's making plays on the ball.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
Bears offense went 0-for-2 in finding the end zone in the red zone drill.
Then in a end of half/game drill starting at the 50, Fields found Mooney on fourth down but the receiver was stopped short. Turnover on downs. Brisker had nice PBU on Kmet on second down
— Josh Schrock (@Schrock_And_Awe) August 5, 2022
Julien Davenport was down for a few minutes with trainers. He's slowly walking off now.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 5, 2022
Fields did have several nice deep completions against the scout team defense today. Some good runs by Khalil Herbert as well.
— Josh Schrock (@Schrock_And_Awe) August 5, 2022
The Bears have rotated less on their offensive line during practice today, but the exception is at right tackle. Riley Reiff and Larry Borom seem to be platooning at that position. Will be curious to see when and how that starting group settles.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) August 5, 2022
Defense won the “1 minute drill” vs Fields and Co.
A holding penalty and a third-down drop by Kmet didn’t help.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 5, 2022
#Bears tackle Julien Davenport appeared to suffer a leg injury of some sort. He’s walking off the field now.
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) August 5, 2022
Yes, might have been on the Kmet drop. The defense was definitely celebrating like there was one. https://t.co/XVKmsqcTap
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 5, 2022
The scout team stuff could be immensely beneficial. It’s some game-like prep. And early on. https://t.co/8HminlaO8C
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 5, 2022
Among today’s new notable DNPs at Bears camp:
— Kyler Gordon
— Robert Quinn
— Kindle Vildor
— Khyiris TongaMatt Eberflus won’t be meeting w the media today and the team will not be offering updates on those players’ statuses.
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) August 5, 2022
Carded periods reduce the competitive periods when you have 1s vs 1s and 2s vs 2s and can really evaluate players on the roster.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 5, 2022
D-linemen wore blue pinnies, Linebackers wore green and DBs were in red on the look team defense. That's likely to help QB Justin Fields see the defense and the play the right way.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 5, 2022
Very few team drills today with 1s vs 1s and so on. So there wasn't too much shuffling on the O-line. Only note here is that Larry Borom was subbing in for Riley Reiff at RT at times. https://t.co/k9GT51oUsv
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) August 5, 2022
#Bears LB Roquan Smith went to an alternate field at the start of practice with strength & conditioning coach Jim Arthur again today. That was also the routine on Wednesday. Smith remains on the PUP list.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 5, 2022