9 takeaways from the first week of Chicago Bears training camp

The first week of Chicago Bears training camp is in the books. It consisted of four practices and a whole lot of optimism as Bears’ offense performed up to fans’ expectations.

Justin Fields is having an impressive start to training camp, as is DJ Moore, who’s already injected juice into a passing game that had none in 2022.

The first four Chicago Bears practices weren’t all about the offense, as some newcomers on defense also showed out.

Remember: pads don’t go on until Wednesday, so we’ll get a better feel for how the Bears’ critical players are performing once they go live.

Here are nine key takeaways from the first week of practice.

Justin Fields is living up to the offseason hype

By most accounts, Justin Fields is having the kind of start to Chicago Bears training camp that his coaches and Bears fans were hoping for.

He’s in command of the offense, has shown improved processing and timing with his passes, and is connecting with DJ Moore like the duo has played together for years.

Fields hasn’t been perfect, but he’s shown no signs of off-season rust or stalled development. The Bears should feel really good about their decision to stick with him and not buckle under the pressure to select Bryce Young in the 2023 NFL draft.

Fields is playing like a legitimate QB1 right now.

DJ Moore is everything the Chicago Bears offense needed

The biggest star from the first week of training camp practices has been wide receiver DJ Moore. He’s made multiple big plays daily, regardless of who’s covering him.

Moore has given rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson a baptism by fire. Veteran Jaylon Johnson, who wants a new contract, has struggled to keep Moore contained.

The best development from the first week of sessions is how quickly Fields and Moore have bonded, both on and off the field. Lots of touchdowns are coming from these two in 2023.

Fields recently predicted that he’d be the first Bears quarterback to surpass 4,000 yards passing in a season this year, and if he does, Moore will be a big reason why.

Chase Claypool needs more consistency

Chase Claypool may be the biggest X-factor on the Chicago Bears offense. If he can stay healthy and assimilate into Luke Getsy’s system, he’ll unlock the maximum potential of Justin Fields and the downfield passing game. But consistency is key for the fourth-year wideout.

Practice reports are littered with a good rep, followed by a questionable one for Claypool. This follows Claypool beginning Bears training camp on the PUP list (albeit only for one day).

Claypool was hampered by a knee injury during the latter portion of Chicago’s offseason program, and he may need a few more practices to get settled. Hopefully, it happens soon because competition is brewing for wide receiver reps.

Tyler Scott has been the Bears’ best rookie at training camp

Wide receiver Tyler Scott was the Bears’ fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he has a chance to impact this season like a guy drafted several rounds earlier.

Scott’s blazing speed has been on display during training camp practices. He’s making plays with yards of separation from the defensive backs, and his professional approach to the game has impressed his coaches.

I thought Scott was one of the biggest steals of the 2023 NFL Draft, and if he keeps playing the way he has in the first week of training camp, he’ll have a chance to earn meaningful reps early in his career.

Rookie battle is brewing at cornerback

When the Chicago Bears selected cornerback Tyrique Stevenson in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, it was assumed he’d be a starter opposite Jaylon Johnson as an outside defender. Those assumptions proved true, as Stevenson was a starter throughout the offseason program.

That may all be ancient history now that training camp practices have begun. Stevenson has had some rookie struggles against DJ Moore and other Bears pass-catchers, which has opened the door for fellow rookie cornerback Terrell Smith to get some run with the first-teamers.

The initial narrative was that it was a rep-count issue, but that’s slowly changing and beginning to feel like a closer competition for starter’s reps than anyone would’ve predicted.

Circle this position battle as one to monitor.

At the very least, Darnell Wright is in great shape

First-round pick Darnell Wright showed up to Chicago Bears training camp in fantastic shape, and he dominated the team’s physical conditioning test. He lost weight, improved his body composition, and barely broke a sweat during the workout.

We later learned that Wright was training for wide receiver target numbers (on accident). It’s impressive that a 6-foot-6, 333-pound man could maintain a workout regiment like that, and it speaks to his work ethic and character that the Bears referred to after making him their first-round pick.

However, it’s tough to gauge how he’s performing on the field. The pads haven’t gone on yet, and for a player whose game is predicated on power and violence, it’s unfair to make any assessments until he can unleash both.

Tremaine Edmunds is as advertised

The Chicago Bears spent big money in free agency on linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, and through one week of Bears training camp practices, it’s easy to see why.

First, he’s an imposing figure in the middle of Chicago’s defense. He conjures memories of Brian Urlacher with his frame. Second, his athleticism and football IQ have reportedly stood out. He’s making plays in coverage, including a pick-6 to close Saturday’s session.

Edmunds has taken a leadership role off the field from the moment he signed with the Bears. He’s playing like one on the field too, and with a defense that needs a front-seven defender to become its identity, you can bet Edmunds will fill that role.

Cole Kmet and Robert Tonyan are becoming a dangerous tight end duo

Sure, the Bears signed Cole Kmet to a sizable four-year, $50 million contract extension on the first day of training camp, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be the only relevant tight end in Chicago’s offense in 2023.

Veteran Robert Tonyan, who the Bears signed away from the Green Bay Packers in free agency, has been a smooth route-running playmaker during training camp. He’s catching touchdowns, and onlookers have been impressed by his athleticism in the open field.

He’s now two years removed from a torn ACL that knocked his ascent into the top tier of tight ends off track. He may be regaining that career momentum with the Bears this season.

So far, so good on the injury front

Keep that prayer circle going, Bears fans. Chicago escaped the first week of training camp practices without an injury. And while some of you may be angry that I’m writing this (it’ll be a jinx!), it’s OK to acknowledge the good fortune the team is having so far.

Training camp gets more violent, and the injury risk increases once the pads go on and live contact begins. For now, it’s been all positive at Bears camp.