The Chicago Bears are set to open training camp on Saturday, July 19, with the rookies making the trek to Halas Hall, followed by the veterans a few days later on July 22.
There’s a lot of excitement and intrigue surrounding the Bears, especially with their rookie class, which could have multiple instant Day 1 contributors on both sides of the ball. After a frustrating 2024 season, Chicago fans are expecting to see better play and performances from everyone, including the head coach.
That said, Chicago’s front office had some last-minute business to handle with one of their draft picks before camp gets started.
Bears Sign 2nd-Round Pick Shemar Turner to Rookie Deal Ahead of Training Camp
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Bears and rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner agreed to terms on his four-year rookie deal.
The #Bears and second-round DT Shemar Turner have agreed to terms on his four-year rookie contract, source says, as the logjam slowly begins to open up. pic.twitter.com/d7Xkjgcduy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 17, 2025
In the days and weeks leading up to the start of training camp around the league, 30 of the 32 second-round picks were shockingly unsigned. The two second-round picks who initially signed were Houston Texans WR Jayden Higgins and Cleveland Browns LB Carson Schwesinger, as they received fully guaranteed deals.
However, the hope is that with Turner and Alfred West signing their rookie deals, the remaining second-round picks will follow suit. Chicago isn’t out of the woods yet, as they have two more second-round picks yet to be signed — WR Luther Burden III and OT Ozzy Trapilo.
Overall, six of the Bears’ eight picks from the 2025 class have signed their rookie contracts. The Bears are excited to get Turner locked in as he’ll play a huge part in Dennis Allen’s defensive scheme in the middle of the defensive line.
The 22-year-old Turner played his college football at Texas A&M, where he spent all four years. The former second-team All-SEC defender racked up 115 combined tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and three forced fumbles in his time at College Station.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound defender will likely play behind the starting defensive tackle duo of Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr, but that shouldn’t stop him from getting on the field in his rookie season.