4 biggest storylines ahead of Chicago Bears training camp

The Chicago Bears kick off their 2025 training camp on July 23, with the first open practice for fans scheduled for July 25.

With the start of a new training camp season comes daily updates on the Bears’ biggest position battles, player performances, and the overall atmosphere around the team. And this team is different than Bears teams in recent years. Indeed, the annual excitement surrounding a new year is palpable. But the arrival of head coach Ben Johnson makes this excitement feel justified.

Here are the four biggest storylines Chicago Bears fans should monitor during 2025 training camp.

How will Caleb Williams take to Ben Johnson’s offense?

The biggest — and most important — storyline from Bears camp will be the performance of Caleb Williams. While I’m not a big believer in overreacting to every good (or bad) play that’s made in a practice environment, it will be worth monitoring the good or bad days that Williams has as training camp unfolds.

In other words, Bears fans want to see Williams making steady progress in each practice.

I fully expect that training camp will get off to a rocky start. Williams is still a very young player, and he’s learning an entirely new offense for the second year in a row. Patience will be required. But improvement, week over week, is a fair expectation. And it’s something we must see from the young franchise quarterback.

Who’s blocking Caleb Williams’ blindside?

The biggest position battle at Bears training camp will take place at left tackle. Incumbent starter Braxton Jones is recovering from a fractured ankle that he suffered in December, and it’s unlikely he’ll be full-go for July 23.

As a result, rookie Ozzy Trapilo, the Bears’ second-round pick, is a name to circle.

He might be the most talented left tackle on the roster, and he’ll get a chance to prove it because of the opportunity created by Jones’ injury.

Remember: Braxton Jones is entering the final year of his contract. The Chicago Bears will have no problem handing the starting duties over to a rookie if all things are equal.

Can Dayo Odeyingbo be the pass rusher the Bears’ defense needs?

The Chicago Bears already have a franchise pass rusher in Montez Sweat, even if he regressed to just 5.5 sacks in 2024. There’s little doubt he’ll push for 10 or more sacks in 2025 in Dennis Allen’s scheme.

What was really lacking from the Bears’ defense in 2024 was a pass rusher opposite Sweat. Remember those 5.5 sacks? Yeah, that led the team. Not great.

Enter Odeyingbo, who Chicago signed to a three-year, $48 million contract. He doesn’t come to the Bears with a super-productive pass-rushing resume, but the theory around his addition is that his ceiling remains undefined. Perhaps he gets unlocked with Sweat taking most of the offensive line’s attention.

Here’s the problem: If Odeyingbo fails, who’s left on the roster to step up and fill that pass-rushing role? Austin Booker? Maybe.

The pressure on the big-ticket free agent is very real.

Will D’Andre Swift hold off the competition at running back?

The Chicago Bears didn’t make any significant investments at running back this offseason, but that doesn’t mean Swift can rest easily.

Third-year back Roschon Johnson profiles as a potential David Montgomery in Ben Johnson’s offense. Rookie seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai is a well-rounded, three-down back who can threaten Swift for any down-and-distance role.

But it will take a really impressive training camp for either back to unseat Swift, who signed a three-year, $24 million contract last offseason.

It won’t take long for buzz about any running back not named Swift who gets off to a hot start to grow.