Chicago Bears open 2025 camp with Caleb Williams & DJ Moore, but Pro Bowl CB Jaylon Johnson is injured. Get the latest on the team's outlook and roster moves.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The gates of Halas Hall swung open Friday, and a wave of navy and orange optimism poured in. Fans finally got their first live look at the new-look Chicago Bears, with rookie phenom Caleb Williams slinging passes to star DJ Moore under the watchful eye of new head coach Ben Johnson. But the palpable excitement of a new era was quickly tempered by a dose of harsh NFL reality: Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson is already sidelined.
Keep an eye on the edge rusher side.
For the first time under head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears welcomed the public to training camp, marking a new chapter for the franchise. The energy was electric as thousands of fans watched the team's first open practice. All eyes were on the new QB-WR duo of Caleb Williams and DJ Moore, who are expected to power a revamped offense. The event, complete with merchandise stands and family activities, officially kicks off a season where the Bears aim to end a six-year NFC North title drought and build a contender.
The biggest news of the day came from GM Ryan Poles, who announced that Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson will miss 'a few weeks' with an unspecified injury. While the team expects him back for the regular season opener, his absence is a significant blow to the defense's camp preparations. In a corresponding move to shore up the secondary, the Bears signed veteran corner Tre Flowers. The injury news didn't stop there, as rookie WR Luther Burden is considered day-to-day with a lingering soft-tissue issue, slowing his integration into the offense.
While the skill positions get the headlines, the real battles are being waged on the line of scrimmage. The left tackle competition is officially a three-man race between rookie Kiran Amegadjie, Ozzy Trapilo, and the returning Braxton Jones, who is ramping up his activity. On the other side of the ball, the pass rush could be getting a major boost. Poles fueled speculation by telling a fan to 'keep an eye on the edge rusher side,' amid rumors linking the Bears to veterans like Matthew Judon and Za'Darius Smith. The signing of DE Tanoh Kpassagnon adds depth, but it feels like a precursor to a bigger splash.
While Friday was a celebration, reports from Thursday's practice offered a glimpse of the learning curve ahead for Caleb Williams. The No. 1 pick reportedly struggled with pre-snap penalties and consistency on his deep throws, a typical 'welcome to the NFL' moment for any rookie. Coach Ben Johnson's primary task will be navigating these growing pains and ensuring the offense finds its rhythm before the season kicks off. It's a reminder that while the hype is real, the process takes time.
The first open day of camp delivered exactly what we expected: a mix of unbridled hope and pressing questions. All eyes will now be on the development of Caleb Williams, the health of Jaylon Johnson, and the heated competition at left tackle. But the biggest question of all might be which veteran edge rusher Ryan Poles will bring to Chicago to complete this roster. The journey to the top of the NFC North has officially begun, and it's already proving to be a bumpy, exciting ride.
