Chicago Bears kick off 2024 voluntary offseason workout program

The Chicago Bears kicked off their 2024 voluntary offseason workout program at Halas Hall on Monday in what felt like a pre-party waiting for quarterback Caleb Williams to arrive.

The Bears are expected to select Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on April 25, and once his name is called, all things Bears will be all about the new QB1.

Until then, Bears veterans are (sort of) back.

The first phase of Chicago’s offseason program will be limited to strength and conditioning and will last for two weeks. In the second phase, which lasts three weeks, the Chicago Bears can have coaches on the field and includes individual player instruction and drills (no helmets and no offensive vs. defense). The third phase is conducted over four weeks and includes up to 10 OTA sessions. That’s when players can wear helmets, but contact is prohibited.

The Bears’ 2024 OTA sessions will occur on May 20-21, May 23, May 28-29, and May 31. The veteran minicamp will take place June 4-6.

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The Chicago Bears will play in the 2024 Hall of Fame Game, which means training camp will begin a little earlier than usual, likely sometime in mid-July.

“What I love is when the players come back,” coach Matt Eberflus said at the 2024 NFL owners meetings. “This is going to be a critical nine or 10 weeks in the offseason before we go to summer break. That’s going to be fun to be able to bring those guys together.”