The Chicago Bears have every reason for excitement, with it appearing they were simply a year behind expectations. The coaching staff changes and key additions in the trenches give this fan base hope that the 2025 season is finally the year they turn the corner. Caleb Williams should take a leap forward after an uneven rookie season.
Former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was the perfect hire to unlock the quarterback. With that said, not all headlines have been positive heading into the summer. This included the disappointing news that one Chicago rookie wasn't in proper shape for the rookie minicamp. Shemar Turner was reported to be out of breath and laboring throughout the minicamp. While it isn't ideal, this shouldn't be a huge concern.
Shemar Turner's Position and Past Injuries Fully Explain Reported Conditioning Concerns
Shemar Turner was playing through an injury during his final college season. The defensive tackle was giving his team everything despite the injury and only opted out of the Senior Bowl in what was a gutty performance. This is more than enough to explain these conditioning concerns. It stands to reason, with a leg injury that wasn't healed not long ago, Turner isn't in the best cardio shape.
This shouldn't be a concern for Chicago fans, but the expected result of a young player resting to let an injury heal. Turner will be joined by new Chicago addition Grady Jarrett. These two new additions alone should be enough to give the Bears a much-needed upgrade on the inside.
Turner will play into Chicago's rotation with plenty of time to get into proper shape. We are still in May, months away from the rookie needing to be in game shape. Even if there wasn't a clear explanation of the leg injury slowing his conditioning, this isn't a big concern.
Chicago fans finally have reason for hope and excitement that the 2025 season will be a page-turner. One that perhaps establishes the Bears as the threat to the Lions in the NFC North that the hated Green Bay Packers are believed to be. If that is the case, Turner is going to need to have a year-one impact.