Bears schedule minicamps while case moves in courts

The Bears plan to start their off-season program a week from Monday (May 9) and conduct their rookie minicamp May 6-8 and their full-squad minicamp June 3-5 at Halas Hall, according to the team’s website.

Those dates were set Thursday after the NFL had notified its clubs that they could resume operations at 7 a.m. Friday.

At that time, players will be permitted to work out, receive medical treatment, meet with coaches, watch tape and pick up playbooks.

The Bears’ off-season program originally was supposed to begin on Monday, April 11. It still has not been determined when the official league year will begin, which means that free agency remains on hold. But it’s possible that could happen as soon as Monday, with teams scrambling to sign free agents. Teams also cannot sign undrafted free agents or trade players under contract, but that too could begin on Monday.

However, the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis still may grant the NFL a stay of the ruling lifting the lockout.

U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson on Wednesday denied the league’s request for a stay of her Monday ruling that lifted the lockout.

If the lockout is reinstated, players would again be prohibited from entering team facilities.

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