If you thought the Chicago Bears were going to tiptoe into the Ben Johnson era with hugs and kumbayas, you haven’t been paying attention. Training Camp 2025 kicked off with all the tenderness of a bar fight, and nobody — not even #1 overall pick Caleb Williams — got spared.
The new coaching regime came in swinging, and what we saw over the first 48 hours at Halas Hall wasn’t just noise. It was a warning shot: This isn’t the same soft-ass operation that’s haunted Chicago fans for the last decade.
Here’s everything you missed from the first two days of Bears camp — and why it matters.
DAY 1: SHOCK THERAPY, BEN JOHNSON STYLE
Ben Johnson Says “Get the Hell Out”
You want accountability? Ben Johnson ripped the starting offense off the field during 7-on-7s because they couldn’t line up right. That includes golden boy Caleb Williams. Johnson didn’t hesitate. “You’re out!” he shouted like a pissed-off high school coach, pulling the whole unit mid-drill.
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Cole Kmet wasn’t fazed. “That’s Ben. You mess up? You sit. Simple.” Translation: the new boss gives zero handouts, even if your name is on billboards.
Caleb Williams’ Rough Welcome
Speaking of QB1, Williams opened camp by tossing a pick on his very first 11-on-11 pass — Tremaine Edmunds read it like a Kindle and took it away.
Williams also got sacked later after holding the ball too long. Sloppy mechanics? Nah. Just a young QB swimming in a brand-new scheme, with a head coach who won’t babysit.
Still, he rallied late in the session, hitting Cole Kmet and D’Andre Swift on rhythm throws. Rust, meet reset.
Dennis Allen’s Grit Gospel
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen came in with one message: “Pay the toll.”
Before individual drills even started, the entire defense did up-downs. In 2025. In the NFL. That’s the vibe. Allen’s not building a scheme — he’s building a damn identity.
“It reminded me of eighth grade,” said linebacker T.J. Edwards. “But it was kinda badass.”
So far? The defense has absolutely outpaced the offense.
Defense Steals the Show
Edmunds wasn’t the only guy shining. Dayo Odeyingbo got a sack. Jaquan Brisker nearly snagged a pick and made damn sure the offense knew about it.
Dennis Allen praised Edmunds: “It’s hard to throw over him.” He’s not kidding —Edmunds looks every bit the alpha on this unit.
The LT Battle Begins
With Braxton Jones still limited from last year’s ankle injury, rookie Ozzy Trapilo opened with first-team reps. Kiran Amegadjie worked with the 2s, and Jones stayed in walkthroughs only. This battle? Far from over. The reps are just starting to rotate.
Roster Spotlight: JP Richardson
Remember this name: JP Richardson. The undrafted rookie wideout from TCU made the highlight of Day 1 — a one-handed sideline snag over tight coverage. And it wasn’t from Williams. It was Tyson Bagent slinging it for the 3s.
Roschon Johnson also showed off soft hands with a one-handed grab. The RB2 spot looks like his to lose.
Case Keenum worked as QB2, but coaches say that’ll rotate. Bagent isn’t folding just yet.
Absences Worth Noting
- Luther Burden III is still out with a nagging hamstring.
- Jaylon Johnson (leg) missed both practices.
- Rookie CB Zah Frazier was also out.
DAY 2: GRIME, GRIT, AND GROWING PAINS
Still Sloppy
The offense looked… worse? High snap over Williams, breakdowns in alignment, and pressure from Grady Jarrett forced another hard reset. Williams even stumbled trying to scramble.
This isn’t panic time — it’s install week — but damn, this group has work to do. Johnson pulled them together mid-practice to get their heads on straight. Again.
Left Tackle Carousel
The LT reps flipped: Kiran Amegadjie ran with the 1s, Trapilo with the 2s. Braxton Jones is still doing install-only. If Johnson is hunting for a mauler, this battle might not settle for weeks.
Bagent Rising?
Tyson Bagent jumped to QB2. Keenum dropped to QB3. The switch isn’t final, but it shows Bagent’s not just a camp body — he’s pushing. Hard.
Rookie Runners Pop Off
Kyle Monangai had a highlight run with a smooth juke move. Ian Wheeler flashed some burst too. D’Andre Swift is locked as RB1, but behind him? It’s a scrap.
Roschon Johnson keeps stacking good days. No surprise there.
Defense Still Winning
Jaquan Brisker ditched the guardian cap (despite concussion history) and didn’t miss a beat. Nahshon Wright held it down again for the injured Jaylon Johnson. Noah Sewell is locked in as LB3.
Allen’s unit is flying around and loving the grind. That’s not a sentence we’ve written about the Bears defense in a while.
Injuries and Moves
- Shemar Turner (ankle) left Day 1, missed Day 2.
- Luther Burden is “day to day” but still sidelined.
- Zah Frazier missed another day due to personal reasons.
- Tarvarius Moore was cut. Alex Cook, former Panthers/Giants safety, was signed.
Final Verdict
Ben Johnson’s already shaken the snow globe.
He’s not tolerating mental errors, loafing, or anyone who coasts. Caleb Williams is learning that fast. Dennis Allen, meanwhile, is turning the defense into a brawler’s bar.
If you were hoping for training camp fluff? Sorry. This is hard coaching, and frankly, it’s exactly what the Bears needed.
The battles at left tackle, backup QB, WR depth, and RB2 will only get nastier. That’s a good thing. For once, this roster is being earned, not gifted.
The offense might be behind, but that’s expected in Year 1 of a complex system. Patience is warranted. Panic is not. What’s important is the culture shift—and it’s happening.
So buckle up. If the first two days are any indication, Bears camp is gonna be a war zone. Just how Johnson and Allen like it.
