The Bear’s Den, June 12, 2025

Bears young players taking the forefront during this offseason

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

QB Caleb Williams joins mostly rookies on field as Chicago Bears wrap up OTAs – The Athletic – The Bears finish up their offseason training program this week, and it’s mostly rookies, but Williams made sure to attend.

Why Rome Odunze, stronger and playing ‘freely’ in Year 2, has high hopes for 2025 – The Athletic – Just 23 and now with a year of experience, Odunze said he feels much more prepared for his second NFL season.

Pro Football Focus 2025 All-Breakout Team features two high-profile Chicago Bears – SI – Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles has done a commendable job this offseason setting his team up for success, and Pro Football Focus seems to be buying in on the hype.

The Bears rookie who answered loudest when opportunity knocked – SI – Most Chicago Bears rookies had chances to show what they could do when working with starters at times in OTAs or minicamp but one had an extended look and impressed coaches.

Johnson: Bears ‘understand what the expectation level is’ – 670 – More than anything else, first-year Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s hope during the offseason program was to set a standard for his team. That chapter of work ended Wednesday with the Bears’ final practice of OTAs at Halas Hall.

Bears’ top two draft picks were able to do very little on the field this offseason – Chicago Sun-Times – At the very least, Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III will have to play catch-up during their first NFL training camp.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Sean McVay confirms Aaron Rodgers to the Rams was a “possibility” – NBC Sports – The Rams tried to trade for Rodgers in 2021 and had him as a backup plan this offseason.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Saquon Barkley unseats Patrick Mahomes as leader of NFLPA’s top 50 player sales list – The Athletic – Jayden Daniels cracks the top five as a rookie

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

2024 Rearview Mirror: Keenan Allen Trade – Windy City Gridiron – In this series, we look back at the biggest moves from a year ago and review how they have panned out up to this point.

2025 Chicago Bears OTA/Minicamp Wrap Up with Herb Howard – Windy City Gridiron – The latest Bears Banter Podcast is breaking down OTAs and Minicamp!

What to Expect out of Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears Offense in 2025 – Windy City Gridiron – Is Johnson’s highly touted offensive mind finally the difference maker in Chicago?

Ohio Senate passes budget with $600 million for domed Browns stadium – NBC Sports – Enjoy the snow games while you can, Browns fans.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE PAGE

2nd City Gridiron is our video home! So hit the link and help us grow that brand!

THE RULES

Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines – SBNation.com – We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following are not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender-based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.

2nd City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bears Banter hosted by Bill Zimmerman, Bear & Balanced from Jeff Berckes and Lester A. Wiltfong Jr., Bears Over Beers featuring a rotating host line-up of Ryan Droste, Khari Thompson, Jacob Infante, and Bryan Orenchuk, Making Monsters with Taylor Doll, Bear Bones from Dr. Mason West, and an occasional T Formation Conversation from Lester; Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert is another fun one.

Click on our names to follow us on Twitter: Jeff Berckes; Dr. Patti Curl; Ryan Droste; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Dan Durkin; Taylor Doll; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Dr. Ken Mitchell; Danny Meehan; Bryan Orenchuk; Jack R Salo; Khari Thompson; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; T.J. Starman; Khari Thompson; Dr. Mason West; Bill Zimmerman; 2nd City Gridiron; Like WCG on Facebook; Like 2nd City Gridiron on Facebook.

A few of us are also over at Bluesky.