Chicago Bears News: Notes from Day 1 of Training Camp

The Chicago Bears held their first practice of training camp on Wednesday and media members were in attendance.

New wide receiver D.J. Moore wasted little time in making his presence known in the team’s offense.

Chicago Bears offense impresses during the team’s first training camp practice.

By all accounts, it was an impressive first day for the Bears’ offense. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus spoke with reporters after practice and praised the readiness of the team’s offensive. unit.

Pretty soon, training camp lingo is going to grow old but as camp progresses for the Bears this season, there should be a comparison to 2019 that fans keep in their mind.

During the Bears’ training camp prior to the 2019 season, the team’s beat reporters were not shy with their critiques of quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky struggled all training camp with errant throws and interceptions and that ultimately was the precursor to a disappointing season.

The goal for Fields and the Bears’ offense during training camp should be to stack practices together like the one they had on Wednesday.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool speaks out against criticism.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool spoke with reporters after practice on Wednesday and responded to criticism of his work ethic.

"“Maybe people weren’t happy with how I dealt with the offseason, but that’s only the perception that was given to them and not the reality that’s true,” Claypool said. “I remember almost blowing my knee out against the Packers and being done for the game and kind of pleading to be put back in, putting the knee brace back on, went back in and tried to help my team win.“So if there’s any questions on how much I’m willing to do to help this team win, there shouldn’t be. You know? I think that I’m doing everything I can to be as healthy as possible and knowing in the game everyone gets injured.”-Alex Shapiro via NBC Sports Chicago"

There is no doubt that Claypool’s time with the Bears got off to the wrong start. Claypool was forced to try and learn the team’s system in-season while immediately being thrust into a starting role due to the lack of options that the Bears had at the wide receiver position last season.

For Claypool, the benefit is that the team acquired Moore this off-season. The addition of Moore pushes Claypool down the depth chart and likely into the slot wide receiver role.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr draws praise from Matt Eberflus.

After a disappointing rookie season, wide receiver Velus Jones Jr has drawn early praise from head coach Matt Eberflus.

With the drafting of Tyler Scott, the expectation had been that Jones may be facing an uphill climb in regard to making the Bears’ 53-man roster this season. If Jones can prove to be stable for the Bears on punt returns, then he may have renewed value to the team.