DJ and Cole speak after fully-attended Mandatory Mini-Camp session for Chicago Bears and we have all the news about the team here

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Chicago Bears concluded their mandatory minicamp this week at Halas Hall, marking a significant milestone in their offseason program. Under the new leadership of Head Coach Ben Johnson, the atmosphere has been palpably different, characterized by a demanding yet supportive environment focused on precision and accountability. A key takeaway from the sessions, particularly on Tuesday, was the strong endorsement from veteran offensive leaders D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet regarding Johnson’s coaching philosophy and its impact on the team. Their comments, alongside other developments, paint a clear picture of a franchise collectively striving for a higher standard as the Caleb Williams era truly takes shape.

One of the most encouraging aspects of the minicamp was the near-perfect attendance. Coach Johnson had expressed his expectation for full participation, and the players delivered, with “everybody in the building.” While some key players, including cornerback Kyler Gordon, linebacker T.J. Edwards, and rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III, were sidelined with minor soft-tissue injuries, their presence at Halas Hall underscored a collective commitment to the new regime. This level of buy-in from the entire roster, including veterans and rookies alike, speaks volumes about the early impression Johnson and his staff have made.

Ben Johnson’s Obsession with Detail: A New Standard

The recurring theme from both D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet was Ben Johnson’s “obsession with the details.” Kmet, a respected veteran tight end who has experienced multiple coaching staffs in Chicago, noted that Johnson and his new staff are “relentless on the details.” He elaborated, “Not saying other coaches weren’t detailed, but it’s like an obsession with the details. You feel that from him and he just can’t let it go.” This meticulous approach extends beyond the practice field, permeating meeting rooms and every facet of the team’s operations.

Kmet shared a telling anecdote from an OTA practice a couple of weeks prior, where Johnson stopped a play because Kmet was a yard off his precise alignment. Kmet recalled Johnson playfully but firmly saying, “I was trying to get you the damn football!” This interaction, Kmet explained, exemplifies Johnson’s coaching style: “It all comes from a good place. I mean, he’s not yelling at you because he doesn’t like you. He wants things right, and he wants to win, and he knows that’s what you have to do.” This kind of immediate, precise feedback, coupled with a clear rationale, appears to be resonating well with the players, who are showing themselves to be highly receptive to Johnson’s rigorous demands.

For D.J. Moore, Johnson’s intensity is both “fun, but intense.” Moore acknowledged the demanding nature of the new system, stating that players “have to be on your Ps and Qs, and you’ve got to know the playbook.” This reflects Johnson’s focus on mental toughness and preparation. He has been openly working to eliminate the “bad body language” he observed on tape from the previous season. Moore himself admitted to a moment where he showed disappointment on the field, leading to a direct conversation with Johnson. Moore’s response was positive: “I did it once and then we nipped it in the bud, and it never happened again. Just don’t do it. Just keep it inside. We talked about it later and just don’t put it on film. Don’t put it on TV. So, you guys can’t run with it (laughter). So that’s how it is.” This swift correction and Moore’s acceptance of it highlight the buy-in from veteran players who are clearly embracing the new cultural standard.

Caleb Williams’s Development and Offensive Progress

The primary focus of this offseason has undoubtedly been the development of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. While Johnson acknowledged that the offense has had its “ups and downs” during the offseason program – which is to be expected when learning a new system – he noted clear progress in the operation, particularly in and out of the huddle.

Wednesday’s practice, in particular, offered a significant highlight for the offense. Williams engineered a 94-yard, two-minute touchdown drive, capped by a scoring pass to rookie running back Kyle Monangai. Johnson lauded Williams’s performance in this high-pressure scenario, noting that the defense had largely dominated these drills throughout OTAs. “What we thought about [Williams] was when the lights are bright that he was going to show up,” Johnson said. “And it felt like the game slowed down a little bit for him and he was able to just go out and find an open guy and get a completion.” This clutch performance is a strong indication of Williams’s ability to process quickly and execute under pressure, a trait Johnson is actively fostering through unscripted situational drills.

However, Johnson also remained realistic, acknowledging that Williams still has areas for growth, particularly with deeper throws and timing. He emphasized the importance of “repetition, repetition, repetition” to build chemistry with his receivers, drawing parallels to his experience with Ryan Tannehill in Miami. The coaching staff’s open and direct communication with Williams, as evidenced by Johnson correcting Williams when he was late checking down to a running back, is a testament to the coachability of their young signal-caller. Williams is reportedly “doing a great job” and is “very coachable,” indicating a strong foundation for their critical coach-quarterback partnership.

Offensive Line and Skill Position Battles

Beyond the headline-grabbing performances, minicamp provided further insights into key position battles. The competition at left tackle, with Braxton Jones still recovering from injury, continued between second-year pro Kiran Amegadjie and rookie Ozzy Trapilo. Amegadjie received starting reps on Tuesday, with Johnson emphasizing that the starting job will go to the “best” and “most consistent” pass protector once pads come on in training camp.

The crowded wide receiver room, featuring D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and now rookie Luther Burden III (who was sidelined with a soft-tissue injury), will undoubtedly lead to fierce competition for targets. Johnson has made it clear that “no depth chart right now” exists, promoting a culture where players must continuously earn their roles. The addition of tight end Colston Loveland, a high draft pick, further emphasizes the team’s commitment to building a versatile offense that can utilize 12 personnel (two tight ends). Kmet acknowledged this, stating the team is “identifying what guys do really well” and will “hone in on what guys do well and then really excelling with those things come training camp.”

Special Teams and Defensive Impressions

While the offense garnered significant attention, special teams and defense also continued their development. Devin Duvernay, the new return specialist, continued to impress in his role, further solidifying the special teams unit. On the defensive side, the presence of Jaquan Brisker, returning with his characteristic physicality after missing much of last season, was a positive sign. His intense play, even leading to a minor verbal altercation with offensive players, underscored the competitive fire Ben Johnson is actively instilling on that side of the ball. The defense, under coordinator Dennis Allen, has consistently appeared ahead of the offense in early offseason installations, setting a high bar for execution and aggression.

Training Camp and Beyond

The Chicago Bears’ mandatory minicamp provided a valuable snapshot of a team in active transformation. The overriding theme is one of heightened standards and a collective drive towards excellence, heavily influenced by Ben Johnson’s meticulous coaching style. The positive comments from veteran leaders like D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet, coupled with glimpses of Caleb Williams’s clutch play, suggest that the new regime is making tangible progress in building a cohesive and competitive unit.

As the team breaks for a short period before the start of training camp, the focus will shift to translating these offseason gains into consistent performance when the pads come on and the intensity ratchets up further. The foundation appears to be set, the talent is in place, and the coaching staff is demanding the best from every player. The journey to a winning culture is rarely linear, but the early returns from Halas Hall indicate that the Chicago Bears are firmly on a new and promising trajectory for the 2025 season. The whispers of optimism are growing louder, fueled by the dedication and drive witnessed in this critical phase of the offseason.