Bears get back to work; with one paw already in Indiana?

Four days ago, the Bears released a statement announcing intentions to advance their stadium development project in Hammond.

People were left wondering if it was another attempt to build leverage with lawmakers in Illinois, or if the Bears really are headed to a new home on the shores of Wolf Lake.

So when the Bears opened minicamp Tuesday, it made sense to check out whether the “Indianafication” process had already begun.

What would it even look like? Well, think about Indiana and the NFL, what comes to mind? Peyton Manning? He wasn't there.

Bears old-timers might remember the days when training camp was held in Rensselaer. It was documented in the greatest male tear-jerker of all-time, “Brian's Song.”

Maybe the Bears plan to relocate Halas Hall to the farmlands of Northwest Indiana. To replicate that experience, the first step would be to chop down most of the trees surrounding their practice field.

Wait a minute, can't do that in Lake Forest. Pretty sure there are laws against it now, a result of the backlash from Mr. T removing 100 or so trees from his estate in the 1980s.

What else? A new stadium is still several years away (at least), but a Bears-Colts rivalry would have to become a thing if they were state-mates. Permanent 17th game opponent maybe?

For now, there is a decent tight end rivalry brewing since most pundits thought the Colts' Tyler Warren would be first off the board in the 2025 draft, but the Bears took Colston Loveland instead.

Loveland stood at the podium Tuesday and was asked about building off his strong rookie season.

“There's certain things I need to get better at, which is dang near everything,” Loveland said. “If that means going over 1,000 (receiving yards), if it means going under 400, as long as we're winning games and hitting the main goal.”

Loveland was surely just being humble. Of course he plans on piling up 1,000 receiving yards. Can't let Indianapolis have the best tight end in Indiana. Bears newcomer Kalif Raymond put in a plug for Loveland.

“The day-to-day stuff, like Colston getting 100 jugs (catches) before practice,” Raymond said. “You've got guys with the work ethic, the will. You've got those kind of guys in the building, that's the kind of guys you want next to you in the fourth quarter.”

Raymond, of course, is a free-agent addition at wide receiver, who came from coach Ben Johnson's old team, the Detroit Lions. Yes, it will be a little weird if there's an in-state rivalry with the Colts, but the Bears keep playing in a division with the Lions, Packers and Vikings.

Anyway, the Lions represent exactly what the Bears don't want. Detroit faded from a 15-2 record to 9-8. The Bears are aiming to build off last year's momentum and become the NFL's next dominant team. Johnson and Caleb Williams are on a mission to win multiple Super Bowls, something Manning and coach Tony Dungy couldn't accomplish with the Colts.

Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter mentioned something that's different about the Bears — the D-line plans to be more aggressive. Are they trying to be more like Dwight Freeney, who once had 16 sacks during the Colts' glory days? Maybe that's an Indiana connection.

“On our D-line, we don't like to say the 'read' word,” Dexter said. “You can't be in no read stance if you want to attack.”

OK, we'll file that one away as possibly pointing toward Indiana. Johnson said he's sitting in on more defensive meetings this season. Hard to see a stadium link there, but the attention to detail is impressive.

Anyway, the star of Tuesday's practice session was cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who snagged 2 interceptions. Maybe he's back to his old self after being slowed by injuries in 2025.

With no pads on, this practice was a chance for speed to shine. The pass-rushers had a good showing, as did the smaller receivers like Raymond, Luther Burden and rookie Zavion Thomas.

Some injured Bears from the end of last season were back on the field, such as linebacker T.J. Edwards and defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo.

Tackle Braxton Jones didn't seem to be an active participant, but was on the field with the rest of the offensive linemen.

Maybe he's the answer. Braxton “Indiana” Jones starting at left tackle this season.

The Bears must be changing states, it couldn’t be more obvious.