A bit of welcome news broke yesterday regarding fans at NFL training camps later this summer:
Welcome back! The NFL told clubs on a call today it expects fans to return to training camp this summer, subject to state and local guidelines, according to the league's executive VP of club business and league events, Peter O’Reilly.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 25, 2021
Imagine the hoopla in Chicago… Stay safe when you get there, Bears fans.
Otherwise, no big preamble from me this week. The Bears have started their offseason program, and will be on the field next week at Halas Hall.
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Can’t wait.
Let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Bears Mailbag
You're right, he isn't. Dalton is being lumped in with Mike Glennon at every turn, and he couldn't be further from it.
Glennon would need to show positively in preseason and show the coaches he has learned the offense. If he and Fields play similarly, Dalton will start.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 26, 2021
To add a bit more color to this, I don’t think Bears fans will ever truly think of him as QB1. They mocked it when that tweet came out from the @ChicagoBears Twitter account, and are already all-in on Justin Fields. To them, Dalton is time-pass until Fields is “allowed” to start.
Is that fair? Of course not. But that’s how Bears fans (any NFL team’s fans) are. All Dalton can do is convince the coaching staff he should continue to play by learning the offense, making plays, and winning games.
No, I don't think it will affect the timeline. The Bears will play Justin Fields when they truly think he is ready to play.
If Rodgers is out of the NFC North, I'd imagine the Bears can pull off at least a 4-2 record in the division.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 26, 2021
Define "long-term."
Montgomery is an excellent RB whom I'm excited to watch in the final two years of his deal.
But I also don't believe in giving big extensions to RBs. They'll have to be smart. If he accepts a deal similar to Tarik Cohen's, then it's a discussion.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 26, 2021
I predicted 9-8 when the schedule came out.
The Bears could surprise. There are some games on the schedule (SF, PIT, BAL, AZ, SEA) that are not world-beater games, that many fans seem to think *are*.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 26, 2021
I think we will see a good bit of Fields. I would not expect him to run much, and I wouldn't expect to see a lot of truly schemed stuff, either.
I'd imagine Fields plays at least 70% of preseason snaps.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 26, 2021
I won't necessarily go for the "best" players, but I'd love the following on the Bears:
CB — Jaire Alexander (Packers)
DE — Cameron Jordan (Saints)
OL — Quenton Nelson (Colts)— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 26, 2021
I do. Kmet showed good hands and tackle-breaking ability last year. He also showed he can block.
He doesn't have breakaway speed, but he can certainly contribute well enough. He also needs to tighten his ball security. He had a couple fumbles luckily called back.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 26, 2021
I like this one. (I'm skipping QB, and rookies don't count.)
OL: Sam Mustipher
RB: Tarik Cohen
WR: Anthony Miller
TE: Cole Kmet
DE: Bilal Nichols (watch Mario Edwards)
LB: Trevis Gipson
CB: Kindle Vildor
S: Eddie Jackson— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 26, 2021
Ryan Pace is always looking for opportunities to improve the team. If he finds an opportunity, he'll take it. Watch the following positions for possible upgrades (in no particular order):
WR, TE, CB, EDGE, OL
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 26, 2021
