The Bear’s Den, July 23, 2025

Training camp is here, goals have been set, challenges accepted, and an old friend retires

WE WANT YOU!

Would you like to show your Chicago Bears spirit to the world? I’m starting a feature where Windy City Gridiron readers can share pictures of themselves and their families and friends in Bears attire. Simply email a picture to me at the following address: denmasterken at aol dot com. The pictures need to be clear, and full resolution (i.e. full size from your phone if that’s how you take them). Include any description information you like along with the photo!

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

DENMASTER KEN’S VIDEO GRAB BAG

BEARRRSSSS

Bears coach Ben Johnson sets QB Caleb Williams’ goal: Complete 70% of his passes – Chicago Sun-Times – Williams was nowhere near that mark last season, when he was near the bottom of the NFL at 62.5.

Bears TE Colston Loveland, LT Braxton Jones healthy enough to start training camp – Chicago Sun-Times – The Bears knew Loveland would need a six-month recovery from the shoulder surgery he had in January.

Bears CB Jaylon Johnson out ‘a few weeks’ with leg injury – Chicago Sun-Times – The Bears put Johnson on the non-football injury list last week.

Chicago Bears: Jaylon Johnson will miss ‘a few weeks’ – Chicago Tribune – Ryan Poles said Jaylon Johnson suffered a leg injury while training on his own. Here’s what else we learned on Tuesday as Bears training camp began at Halas Hall.

Column: 5 reasons for optimism as Chicago Bears open camp – Chicago Tribune – The Chicago Bears are starting over again, this time with coach Ben Johnson. Here are five reasons that potentially validate the latest wave of optimism.

The Ben Johnson Show starts now at Bears camp. All eyes and ears are on him – The Athletic – As he embarks on his first season in charge, you could say Johnson is the most important coach, player or sports executive in Chicago.

Bears training camp: Caleb Williams’ goals, Jaylon Johnson’s injury, left tackle battle – The Athletic – The Bears opened training camp on Tuesday, and we heard from GM Ryan Poles, head coach Ben Johnson, QB Williams and DT Jarrett.

Caleb Williams Speaks: Adjustments, Accountability, and Lofty Goals – BN – Excitement may mean nothing today. But it sure sounds like the Bears’ Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams are putting in the work to make it mean something in the long run.

Ben Johnson Speaks: Caleb Williams Goals, Fair Competition at LT, More – BN – Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson had his first training camp press conference on Tuesday at Halas Hall.

10 things we learned on Day 1 of Bears training camp – ChicagoBears.com – General manager Ryan Poles, coach Ben Johnson, quarterback Caleb Williams and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett spoke to the media Tuesday at Halas Hall as the Bears kicked off training camp.

Bears’ Ben Johnson embarks on ‘race’ to get himself ready for first season as head coach – Chicago Sun-Times – Players are working to earn Johnson’s trust, but he’s working to do the same as he tries to end the Bears’ run of fizzling coaches.

Caleb Williams wants to set Bears records — and ‘you’ve got to go win’ – Chicago Sun-Times – It’s a heady goal, at least said out loud.

Roster Moves: Bears sign veterans Tre Flowers, Tanoh Kpassagnon, activate two off NFI list – ChicagoBears.com – The Chicago Bears on Tuesday signed defensive back Tre Flowers and defensive lineman Tanoh Kpassagnon. They also activated wide receiver Jahdae Walker and running back Ian Wheeler from the Non-Football Injury list.

Bears support Maine South High School at NFL Flag Championships – ChicagoBears.com – Maine South High School’s girls flag football team competed in the second annual NFL Flag Championships in Canton, Ohio, over the weekend as a result of their win at the Bears’ regional tournament last October.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Packers sign WR Will Sheppard, K Mark McNamee – NBC Sports – The Packers signed wide receiver Will Sheppard and kicker Mark McNamee on Tuesday, the team announced.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Jimmy Graham to officially retire from NFL – NBC Sports – Tight end Jimmy Graham did not play in the NFL last season and he won’t be returning at any point in the future.

Report: UFL will relocate Birmingham, Michigan, Houston, Memphis – NBC Sports – Are Oakland, Tampa Bay, Philly, and New Jersey next?

Trevon Diggs on having pay reduced for missing offseason workouts: “It hurt my feelings” – NBC Sports – Cowboys should just use workout bonuses, like nearly every other team.

Micah Parsons cites back tightness for not participating in practice – NBC Sports – Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons showed up to training camp and was on the practice field with a helmet Tuesday.

Report: Chris Godwin underwent another minor ankle procedure this spring – NBC Sports – The Buccaneers placed receiver Chris Godwin on the active/physically unable to perform list Tuesday.

Browns place QB Deshaun Watson, DT Mike Hall Jr. on active/PUP – NBC Sports – The Browns placed quarterback Deshaun Watson on the active/physically unable to perform list, among several moves they announced Tuesday.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Were Chicago Bears close to drafting JJ McCarthy over Caleb Williams? – Windy City Gridiron – A quote from Ryan Poles caused quite a stir on Monday.

Bears’ First Four 2025 Draft Picks – Windy City Gridiron – With all three of the Bears’ second-round draft picks from the 2025 NFL draft officially under contract, we’re taking a deep dive into their first four picks on the eve of the first camp practice.

Should (and could) the Chicago Bears Trade for Trey Hendrickson? – Windy City Gridiron – Trey Hendrickson has reportedly refused to report to Bengals training camp as contract talks between the star defensive end and Cincinnati have broken down over guaranteed money. Hendrickson has…

Chicago Bears Training Camp 2025 Day 1 Notes: ‘This is a race now.’ – Windy City Gridiron – Ryan Poles, Ben Johnson and Grady Jarrett met with the media today at Halas Hall to open Training Camp. We share some takeaways here.

Chicago Bears sign DB Tre Flowers, DE Tanoh Kpassagnon – Windy City Gridiron – GM Ryan Poles announced two signings and two NFI list updates at his training camp presser

Chicago Bears 2025 Position Battles: Offensive line depth remains a concern – Windy City Gridiron – With camp opening this week, we’re breaking down every position group on the Chicago Bears.

Bears on the Bubble: Top 5 Players on the Roster Bubble – Windy City Gridiron – Which Chicago Bears players have the hardest road to make the team in 2025?

Five Questions Surrounding The Chicago Bears Heading Into Training Camp – Windy City Gridiron – Training Camp 2025 is officially under way! With the regular season under two months away, the Chicago Bears have plenty to figure out before their Monday night opener. We’ll take a look at five questions that need to be answered heading into camp.

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