Mandatory minicamps aren’t where teams determine who the great players will be. However, they can often be a launchpad for further opportunities in training camp and the preseason. That is why rookies should take them seriously. Braxton Jones knows that. He used them in 2022 to launch himself to the starting left tackle position. One has to imagine others hope to follow that lead. Nothing much surfaced through May and early June as OTAs came and went. That all changed on Thursday.
Head coach Ben Johnson spoke about recent practices and his impressions. He’s pleased with the progress made on offense, but admits there is a long way to go. The full buy-in from players has been encouraging. He gave them a bit of a fun day to ease the tension before the upcoming break. After practice, he was asked which players he felt had stood out this spring. Johnson mentioned four names. Interestingly, two of them were members of the Bears’ draft class.
The Chicago Bears should feel great about this.
Keep in mind they’ve gone through OTAs and minicamps without their top two draft choices. Colston Loveland is still recovering from a shoulder injury that ended his final season at Michigan. Luther Burden has been dealing with a soft tissue problem. Both are expected back for training camp. Ozzy Trapilo is tough to evaluate because he plays offensive line. Evaluating that without pads on is impossible. These types of practices are great for skill-position players.
Monangai has regularly worked with the #1 offense in team drills, even scoring a touchdown during a 94-yard drive. Hyppolite has used his speed to great effect, showcasing his ability to play coverage over the middle. Getting contributions from them this early is never a bad sign. It builds confidence and momentum for the real work next month. If either turns into a legitimate starter for the Chicago Bears, it’s a huge win.
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