The Chicago Bears held their first practice of Week 1 on Monday at Halas Hall, a lighter 50-minute session that launched the team into its full preparation for Sunday’s season opener against the Tennessee Titans.
Here are three things we learned from that session and the interviews that followed.
1. The Bears have named their team captains for the 2024 season.
Players voted for four offensive captains and four defensive captains, ultimately electing quarterback Caleb Williams, receiver DJ Moore, tight ends Cole Kmet and Marcedes Lewis, linebackers TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, cornerback Jaylon Johnson and safety Kevin Byard.
That’s a strong nucleus of leaders inside the locker room even if the eight-man captain committee may seem a bit bloated to some.
“It’s a larger group than we’re used to,” Eberflus said after Monday’s practice. “But we have a bigger group of leadership now. We’ve had a couple years now under our belts and now we have this third year going. So I really feel strongly about those guys.”
Williams’ inclusion as a captain, while somewhat expected, was still notable. The rookie quarterback will make his NFL regular-season debut Sunday at Soldier Field. But since being drafted in January, he has ingratiated himself to teammates with his personality, work habits and approach to the game.
Said Moore: “When you come to work every day like he did and go through the things he had to grow through — especially against this defense — and you see the work he was putting in day-in and day-out, you can’t do anything but respect that and want him to be a captain for you.”
Eberflus didn’t need to overload Williams with advice on handling his captain responsibilities as a rookie.
“Just be yourself,” Eberflus said. “Be authentic. And let it come to you, which he has done. He has worked his tail off. He’s prepared. He has great passion for practice and in the games. So that (leadership) will all come to him naturally.”
2. Jaylon Johnson continues to showcase his competitive edge.
Johnson acknowledged he was surprised to be voted a captain and somewhat taken aback when he received a text message with the news from defensive backs coach Jon Hoke. “I didn’t even believe it, honestly,” Johnson said.
Still, the fifth-year cornerback has been proud of how he has grown into a leadership role during his career with the Bears. And he knows his on-field production will continue to be tone-setting.
“Nothing changes,” Johnson said. “For me, it’s not, ‘Oh yeah I’m this captain now, so I have to go out here and do something different.’ (I’ll) just continue to work and continue to lead by example.”
Coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2023, Johnson seems hellbent on establishing himself as one of the league’s elite lockdown corners this season. He knows opposing offenses will likely be hesitant to target him frequently. But that won’t impact Johnson’s discipline or make him overly eager to showcase ball production when the football is thrown his way.
“My mentality, regardless if I get targets or not, is complete dominance,” Johnson said. “And I don’t need to have a ball thrown at my receiver to know he was never open. If I don’t get the ball thrown my way or if I do, my mentality is that if they do throw it, it’s a wasted rep for them.”
3. The Bears’ health is worth monitoring as Week 1 progresses.
The team isn’t required to put out its first official injury report of the regular season until after Wednesday’s practice. But among the players who were off to the side or absent during the portion of Monday’s practice that was open to the media were running back Roschon Johnson and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens.
Other starters or key reserves who have been limited recently include Montez Sweat, Keenan Allen, Teven Jenkins and Ryan Bates. All four were on the field to start Monday’s practice. Still, it will be worth keeping tabs on their status throughout the week.
