Bears players excited for first padded practice of training camp

The ramp-up period is over at Chicago Bears training camp. The pads will come out Tuesday, giving offensive and defensive linemen, as well as the running backs and other positions built on physicality a chance to showcase their skill sets.

“We set the tone up front for sure,” Bears center Cody Whitehair said Monday in anticipation of the first padded practice. “There’s obviously a smart way to go about it. We’re still teammates, and we’re still trying to get to the season and make sure we can be as healthy as we can be. But we also have to callous ourselves and get ready. So it’s on us as veterans to set the tone.”

Tuesday’s padded practice will be the first time Chicago Bears coaches get a look at their 2023 rookie class in real football situations. Notably, running back Roschon Johnson will have a chance to showcase his trademark power running and pass protection. Defensive linemen Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens can unleash their power and pop at the point of attack.

The biggest name to monitor (no pun intended) is first-round pick Darnell Wright. He’s had some forgettable moments in pass protection without pads on, but that’s to be expected from a player with his style of play. Excuses will run out, however, if he struggles when the pass rush is live and full contact.

It’s like Christmas Eve for Bears rookies. For the veterans? Not so much, according to defensive lineman Justin Jones.

“I’m not really overanxious like some of these rookies are,” Jones said. “Guys are probably going to go to sleep tonight at 7:30, getting their mind right for the pads and everything. I remember those days in my rookie year. I went to sleep at 7 o’clock because I knew we had pads the next day. I had to make sure I was ready to go. Now? It’s just another day for me to come out and work certain techniques and different moves.”

It isn’t just another day for Bears fans, who like the rookies, can’t wait for the practice reports about who stood out in full-contact drills.

We’ll have all of Tuesday’s practice updates here on Bears Talk.