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The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of training camp, where second-year head coach Ben Johnson will look to prepare his team for the 2026 season. Chicago is coming off an impressive 11-6 season, where they won the NFC North and their first playoff game since 2010. Now, expectations are higher than ever.
When the Bears hit the practice field at Halas Hall later this month, there will be no shortage of storylines to keep an eye on, including some notable position battles. There are two starting spots up for grabs along the offensive line, as well as cornerback and special teams, on top of depth and roster spots elsewhere.
While Chicago was already hard at work during the offseason program, the real test starts in training camp, especially when the pads come on in August. With that in mind, here are the top position battles to watch this summer.
For the second consecutive summer, the Bears will have a battle for the starting left tackle job. With Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the 2026 season after rupturing his patellar tendon in the wild-card playoffs, Chicago is searching for a new starter. They brought back veteran Braxton Jones on a one-year deal to compete with returning veteran Theo Benedet, who replaced Jones last season at one point, and former first-round pick and free-agent addition Jedrick Wills Jr. Jones is the presumed frontrunner given his experienced as a three-year starter before returning from injury last season, which hampered his production. Assuming Jones is healthy, this is his job to lose along an offensive line that's considered one of the best in the league.
At one point, center was considered a strength for the Bears with Pro Bowler Drew Dalman in place. But following Dalman's shocking retirement, the Bears were forced to pivot and find a suitable replacement. Chicago traded a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for veteran Garrett Bradbury, who's spent most of his career in the NFC North, for a one-year rental. The Bears doubled down with the selection of rookie Logan Jones in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he's expected to be the long-term answer. Ben Johnson made it clear that Jones will have an opportunity to compete for the starting job as a rookie, but Bradbury currently has the advantage given his experience.
This might be one of the more interesting battles to watch this summer given it might come down to more than just who wins the job opposite Jaylon Johnson on the outside between Tyrique Stevenson and rookie Malik Muhammad. While that will certainly be a competition to watch, there are questions about Kyler Gordon's status and overall availability during the course of a season, as he's yet to play a full year in the NFL. Muhammad actually got some work inside at nickel during the offseason as the Bears explore his best fit. And with Gordon already sidelined with another soft tissue injury, he might make the decision easy for Chicago if he can't get on and stay on the field.
The Bears have a ton of talent at wide receiver, and there's multiple battles going on in that room. Following the departure of veteran DJ Moore, Rome Odunze was expected to be the top wideout for Caleb Williams. But last year's rookie standout Luther Burden III has been a standout this offseason, and he could challenge Odunze for that job -- be it this summer or at some point this 2026 season. Meanwhile, newcomers Kalif Raymond and rookie Zavion Thomas will battle for the third receiver spot behind Odunze and Burden. Raymond, who previously played under Ben Johnson in Detroit, has the upper hand at this point, but Thomas has been a standout all offseason, and he might just challenge for reps. Finally, there should be competition for the final roster spot presumably behind Odunze, Burden, Raymond, Thomas and Jahdae Walker, where veteran addition Scotty Miller might have the upper hand.
Following the departure of Devin Duvernay in free agency, the Bears will be looking for a new return specialist, and two newcomers in veteran Kalif Raymond and rookie Zavion Thomas will battle it out -- both on offense for that WR3 role and special teams as a returner. Raymond has proven success as a punt returner in the NFL as a two-time All-Pro (2022, 2024). But Thomas has impressive speed that made him a threat back in college, and he could provide a spark in the return game. Both have had success in the past few years, so it'll be interesting to see how this battle unfolds in training camp and preseason. Cornerback Josh Blackwell, a special teams standout, could also factor into the return game. But the big battle will be between Raymond and Thomas.
This isn't the sexiest position battle that will be taking place during training camp, but it's an important one between two inexperienced players. After the Bears let veteran Scott Daly walk in free agency, they'll let first-year pro Luke Elkin and undrafted rookie Beau Gardner battle for the long snapper job. Elkin, an undrafted free agent in 2025, spent last season with Chicago's practice squad, and he has experience playing with punter Tory Taylor at Iowa. Meanwhile, Gardner is coming off six seasons in college and having just won the Patrick Mannelly Award as the nation's top long snapper. Elkin might have the upper hand going into this competition given his experience playing with Taylor, and the pair already have that working relationship down. But Gardner certainly has a chance to make a strong impression and earn the job.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 6 training camp battles to watch during Chicago Bears training camp
Continue reading...
When the Bears hit the practice field at Halas Hall later this month, there will be no shortage of storylines to keep an eye on, including some notable position battles. There are two starting spots up for grabs along the offensive line, as well as cornerback and special teams, on top of depth and roster spots elsewhere.
While Chicago was already hard at work during the offseason program, the real test starts in training camp, especially when the pads come on in August. With that in mind, here are the top position battles to watch this summer.
Left tackle
For the second consecutive summer, the Bears will have a battle for the starting left tackle job. With Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the 2026 season after rupturing his patellar tendon in the wild-card playoffs, Chicago is searching for a new starter. They brought back veteran Braxton Jones on a one-year deal to compete with returning veteran Theo Benedet, who replaced Jones last season at one point, and former first-round pick and free-agent addition Jedrick Wills Jr. Jones is the presumed frontrunner given his experienced as a three-year starter before returning from injury last season, which hampered his production. Assuming Jones is healthy, this is his job to lose along an offensive line that's considered one of the best in the league.
Center
At one point, center was considered a strength for the Bears with Pro Bowler Drew Dalman in place. But following Dalman's shocking retirement, the Bears were forced to pivot and find a suitable replacement. Chicago traded a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for veteran Garrett Bradbury, who's spent most of his career in the NFC North, for a one-year rental. The Bears doubled down with the selection of rookie Logan Jones in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he's expected to be the long-term answer. Ben Johnson made it clear that Jones will have an opportunity to compete for the starting job as a rookie, but Bradbury currently has the advantage given his experience.
Cornerback
This might be one of the more interesting battles to watch this summer given it might come down to more than just who wins the job opposite Jaylon Johnson on the outside between Tyrique Stevenson and rookie Malik Muhammad. While that will certainly be a competition to watch, there are questions about Kyler Gordon's status and overall availability during the course of a season, as he's yet to play a full year in the NFL. Muhammad actually got some work inside at nickel during the offseason as the Bears explore his best fit. And with Gordon already sidelined with another soft tissue injury, he might make the decision easy for Chicago if he can't get on and stay on the field.
Wide receiver
The Bears have a ton of talent at wide receiver, and there's multiple battles going on in that room. Following the departure of veteran DJ Moore, Rome Odunze was expected to be the top wideout for Caleb Williams. But last year's rookie standout Luther Burden III has been a standout this offseason, and he could challenge Odunze for that job -- be it this summer or at some point this 2026 season. Meanwhile, newcomers Kalif Raymond and rookie Zavion Thomas will battle for the third receiver spot behind Odunze and Burden. Raymond, who previously played under Ben Johnson in Detroit, has the upper hand at this point, but Thomas has been a standout all offseason, and he might just challenge for reps. Finally, there should be competition for the final roster spot presumably behind Odunze, Burden, Raymond, Thomas and Jahdae Walker, where veteran addition Scotty Miller might have the upper hand.
Punt/kick returner
Following the departure of Devin Duvernay in free agency, the Bears will be looking for a new return specialist, and two newcomers in veteran Kalif Raymond and rookie Zavion Thomas will battle it out -- both on offense for that WR3 role and special teams as a returner. Raymond has proven success as a punt returner in the NFL as a two-time All-Pro (2022, 2024). But Thomas has impressive speed that made him a threat back in college, and he could provide a spark in the return game. Both have had success in the past few years, so it'll be interesting to see how this battle unfolds in training camp and preseason. Cornerback Josh Blackwell, a special teams standout, could also factor into the return game. But the big battle will be between Raymond and Thomas.
Long snapper
This isn't the sexiest position battle that will be taking place during training camp, but it's an important one between two inexperienced players. After the Bears let veteran Scott Daly walk in free agency, they'll let first-year pro Luke Elkin and undrafted rookie Beau Gardner battle for the long snapper job. Elkin, an undrafted free agent in 2025, spent last season with Chicago's practice squad, and he has experience playing with punter Tory Taylor at Iowa. Meanwhile, Gardner is coming off six seasons in college and having just won the Patrick Mannelly Award as the nation's top long snapper. Elkin might have the upper hand going into this competition given his experience playing with Taylor, and the pair already have that working relationship down. But Gardner certainly has a chance to make a strong impression and earn the job.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 6 training camp battles to watch during Chicago Bears training camp
Continue reading...
