3 burning questions as Bears offseason minicamp begins
The Bears' first minicamp under head coach Matt Eberflus is upon us. Fans will learn about their new coach when the team practices Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The camp is voluntary. All players are veterans, since the draft isn't until next week. Here's what to watch for.
1. What does Matt Eberflus' coaching style look like?
There has been much talk about what Eberflus will bring to the Bears, and this week's practices will provide a glimpse of what's to come.
This isn't training camp. The intensity of the practices will likely be relatively light. The team has been doing organized workouts for several weeks, but those were limited to strength and conditioning.
On the day he was introduced, Eberflus warned his players to grab their running shoes. Based on the pictures the team posted from last week's closed training sessions, he wasn't kidding. He'll probably want to portray that message while the media and cameras are watching.
With several players speaking prior to each practice, fans will hear what the players think about Eberflus now that they've had a chance to see him in action. These spring practices set the tone for the rest of the year.
2. What does Justin Fields think of the new coordinator?
When the quarterback last spoke with the media in January, he had barely done more than exchange text messages with Eberflus. The two shared a handshake at Halas Hall that day after their media obligations were finished.
Now, Fields will have had several months of contact with not only Eberflus, but also offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. Nobody knows what Getsy's offense is going to look like. He didn't get specific when he took over as coordinator. This week probably won't indicate too much in that area, but should provide some insight.
Fields' impression of Getsy - as a coach, a tactician and a person - will be vital. This offense is never going to work if Fields and Getsy aren't on the same page. A good working relationship in September has to begin building in April and May. Getsy helped revitalize the Packers' offense under head coach Matt LaFleur for three seasons, guiding Aaron Rodgers' return to MVP form as his QB coach.
The Bears envision a similar offensive revitalization. His relationship with Fields will likely make or break the next few years of Bears football. It has to start on the right foot.
3. At which positions can the Bears still add talent?
It's too early to judge the team that general manager Ryan Poles has built for the 2022 season. It's an incomplete job at this point. The Bears have six selections in the draft, which begins April 28. They still have time to add via free agency. In fact, Monday they signed tight end James O'Shaughnessy.
This week will give Poles a better idea of where his roster stands. After this week, he'll know where he needs to add depth and talent. Poles should already have an idea of what he wants to do with his top draft picks, but this week could make it crystal clear what the most pressing needs are. The Bears have two second-round picks (39th and 48th overall) and a third-round pick (71st overall). In theory, each pick could nab potential starters. They also hold two fifth-round picks and a sixth-round pick.
Wide receiver and offensive line remain key spots to watch. The Bears haven't done much to give Fields additional weapons at receiver. The team added free agents Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown, and has six receivers. It will need several more to fill out the 90-man roster by training camp.
There could be additional veterans hitting the free agent market following the draft and after June 1, when teams can spread the cap hit over an additional year.